Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were overbooked and could complete the recall repair in two months. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle would no longer start. The contact stated that he contacted a second dealer Bloomington Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (8000 Penn Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431) who informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Approximately three weeks later, while stopped at a light, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The gear shifter was shifted to park(P) to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the timing chain was blown. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were failures with Oxygen sensors, head gaskets, oil pan, oil pump, B2S1 heater, that the intake manifold was cracked, there was cylinder #2 misfire, and the circuit harness needed to be repaired, and DTC: P0300 was retrieved. …
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. The contact pulled safely off the highway and turned the vehicle off and waited for nearly an hour before restarting the vehicle and driving back to her residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The failure persisted. The thermostat and water pump were replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle continued experiencing the overheating failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the thermostat and water pump were replaced a second time. The failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,400.
While driving at various speeds, upon slowing down the vehicle stalled. This occurred 50+ times. This occurred while my family was in the vehicle on many occasions. Vehicle was serviced for fuel pump recall, however the stalling continued. My mechanic pointed out the ticking noise, referring to the manifold needing repair. Most recently, the car barely wanted to turn over. Struggling for almost 3 days, thankfully I just pulled into my driveway and turn the car off. Then something told me to try to start the vehicle...well that made something smoke in the motor? Repaired the alternator, battery, and starter. Two days later, check oil light comes on, Back to shop to tell me the cam shaft/lifers need to be replaced!!! Quoted $35-4000 if can find a cam shaft repair kit!!!
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started lagging. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the road and noticed the engine coolant was low, but no leaks were found. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated coolant was added. The contact stated the coolant was low again shortly after filling the reservoir. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Lifter and limp mode problems. There is noise comming from engine. Took to shop and found out reason for noise and low power was lifters and is a very common problem. What brought the safety thing up is wife was in accident in March because couldn't get out of way quick enough. Had vehicle towed to shop from accident site and body repair. Thought was just a fluke and had damage repaired and noticed a ticking and power problems immediately after accident repair. Took to dodge dealer and found out common problem with the lifters cam and limp mode. Had at same repair shop for other recall 2 months prior for recall and inspection with no noise or issues.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality when the failure occurred. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after placing the vehicle in park(P). The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The A/C unit and the radio remained operational. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions where it was diagnosed and determined that the computer module, crank sensor, and wiring bypass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 79,124.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be serviced but no additional information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,000.
The 2014 through 2018 3.6L Pentastar motors are covered under a tech service bulletin for their Drivers side valve train being manufactured incorrectly. This can lead to a misfire and hesitation to accelerate in an Emergency. This happened to me recently and I thought it was just a bad spark plug. Mechanic did a full check and believes there is a stuck valve in the engine on the exact same side that the 2014 to 2018 motors are prone to failure. I believe the 2012 and 2013 Engines are also prone to the same failures as their newer counter parts. As I was trying to accelerate to avoid an incident my car stuttered and started to misfire badly. Almost causing a collision. This happened without warning and never previously had this issue. Vehicle was completely mechanically sound before this. This can happen without any warning or signs its going to happen. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, Dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and Jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from August 31, 2011, through September 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about November 18, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 149 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Dodge Durango, 23% of the model year's 640 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Durango engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-487 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Durango engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.