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).
I purchased my 2012 Dodge Durango two years ago and it has been one of the most stressful issues I have ever hadz. Two days after purchasing it all the lights lit up my dash board the head lights wouldn't go on the heater or air wouldn't work and my windows in front would not roll down. This usually happens when I start it in the morning but it also will happen when I'm driving I almost got into a accident on the HWY at 530 in the morning coming to work when my head light just shut off. It has been back to the deal shop I bought it 3 dodge dealer ships and my personal mechanic and they can not find out what the issue is. Over the past two years it has been in the shop bout 10-15 times It has been parked more than I have been able to drive it. I am in a loan I can not get out of.
My 2012 Dodge Durango has been experiencing reaccering issues associated with the tipm and fuel pump relay. The truck will stall, hard crank or simply not crank at all; leaving me stranded sometimes. This electrical issue also affects the fog lights, front lights, brake lights and turn signals; causing them to not work; putting me in danger of a collision on the highway or city street. This tipm and fuel pump relay have been under several recalls over the past 8 years and Dodge actually lost a class action lawsuit in 2015 in reference to this issue. They were ordered to replace these parts free of charge; labeling the parts defective. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds, there was a burning odor and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred numerous times. When the ignition was turned to the on position, there was an abnormal smell of burning plastic and thick smoke appeared from the vanity lamp and entered the vehicle. The contact turned off and exited the vehicle. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not towed due to the danger of the vehicle on the first attempt. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. While the vehicle was parked, the alternator caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to tempe Dodge (8005 s autoplex loop, tempe, az 85284, phone number: [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting) and 17V435000 (electrical system). The parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer stated that the parts would not be available until January of 2018 and did not recommend an interim remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. After the contact opened the front driver's door, she noticed that the front passenger side was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and informed the contact that the electrical wiring from the mirror caused the fire. The vehicle was towed to orange park Dodge (7233 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting) days before the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
While my wife was driving the Durango the battery light came on. Soon after the battery light came on everything shut off. Weren't able to start it or do anything. Checked to see if my vehicle was one with an alternator recall and it isn't. Replaced the alternator twice a new battery and still can't drive the vehicle because the put the voltage regulator in the PCM and I guess when it all shut down on my wife it messed that up. She was in motion while the light came on and was driving on a city street but luckily she wasn't far from home.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 29 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate past 29 MPH. In addition, the passenger side turn signal and the driver side tail light intermittently operated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure was due to cold weather and no repairs were needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. While driving 55 MPH, the headlights stopped illuminating. The contact switched the lights on manually in order for them to work. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact notified the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be duplicated. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
My 2012 dodge durango sxt, rear turn signal stop flashing, front turn signal works, but not the rear .no turn signal or brakes lights
My 2012 Dodge Durango purchased brand new has been having major electrical issues since the motor was power washed at covert Dodge dealership in north austin. They had an inexperienced car washer clean up the oil that was on the motor from a hose change. He used a very high pressure, pressure washer and it shorted the electronics causing the vehicle to shut down unexpectedly with no warning. This has happened multiple times within the last 6 months. I have had the car at 3 different Dodge dealers trying to resolve the issue. On 9/22/2016 the battery light came on while going 75 on the highway. …
Related recalls
Interior lighting
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016.
Headlight complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 2012 Dodge Durango, 4% of the model year's 640 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Durango headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-879 (interior lighting, Dec 28, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Durango headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.