Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 component or system failed or malfunctioned, is the accelerator, brakes, stirring and electrical. The car is available for inspection upon your request. The car is having problems coming to a stop and it is very difficult to control the vehicle because the steering becomes so hard when the power shuts down on the vehicle as I'm driving it. I think and believe that that poses a high risk of someone getting hurt or injured and then some cases perhaps death. the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Yes the problem hasi been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. No, the vehicle has not been taken to an inspector, manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Here is what my vehicle is doing. symptoms. …
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.
I'll be driving down the road and my car just shuts off. Steering becomes tight, no engine lights come on radio is still playing no warning except driving down the road and all of a sudden you can't steer. It's very dangerous especially when it happens while you are driving around the curve with children in the car. My mechanic can't tell me why this happens. No explanation. This has happen several times
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at the tuttle click toftin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealer for taking a long time to crank. After unknown repairs were performed, the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. On one occasion, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that the failure occurred frequently and, in order to restart the vehicle, the gear shifter had to be placed in neutral or park. The contact restarted the vehicle and it began to pull to the right, veered off the road, and crashed into a bridge wall. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The shield over the wheel well detached, and the front passenger side tire, spoiler, and rim were damaged due to the crash. …
Driving at 35 MPH came to a slow down to turn vehicle shut off and caused me to go into a ditch as no breaks, no steering, and all power lost. Once put into park started back up immediately. This is the second time that has happened first time was at a stop light and I was about to take off. No warning or anything. The first time I didn't have my kids in the car and the second time I did and we could have been extremely hurt. I is not showing any codes to let us know what I could possibly be.
T38 recall: I've taken my vehicle into prestige Chrysler Dodge, las vegas on three separate occasions concerned about loss of power and stalling while turning and have been informed that no parts are available to fix the problem for the t38 recall. Yesterday I was almost rear-ended because my vehicle lost power during a turn off the interstate. They have however, charged me for other issues like an oil pressure sensor (see attached) that has not fixed my loss of power. I called FCA recall and they have sent me to an alternative dealership for a replacement alternator. Prestige Chrysler Dodge of las vegas is refusing to fix known safety issues and advised me that they had tested my alternator and knew it was faulty, yet could not repair it without the recall parts. …
My battery light came on. Within minutes all the other lights on my dashboard came on, my air starting blowing hot and then it started to stall. Luckily I was on a small road and was able to coast off onto the grass. The car was dead and smoke was pouring from the alternator. I went and bought a new battery and alternator. Within in 2 minutes of installing both, my car did the same exact thing. I had to have it towed to the dealership. I was told it was the alternator. I explained that I had already replaced it and think it could be more severe. They told me they would replace the alternator with labor I'm looking at $1200. That's not including if that doesn't fix the issue. They sais it could have fried my (PCM) power control module which could cost me at least $1000 more plus labor. How is it they aren't recalling the 2012 Durango with 180 amp alternator but all the others? …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. While driving 25 MPH exiting the freeway, the vehicle started to accelerate and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact continued driving and did not coast over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to turlock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1600 auto mall dr, turlock, ca 95380) where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be upgraded. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While at a stop sign, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, restarted the engine, and was able to resume driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. …
My 2012 Dodge Durango has lost steering power 4 times since I purchased it new. The first 3 times the repair was performed under warranty by larry h miller Dodge, 4220 e 22nd street, tucson, az. 85711, [phone]. In these cases, the dealer claimed a hose had come off and they connected it back on. Documentation on these repairs available is upon request. The issue was reported to Chrysler-Dodge consumer affairs dept. And was assigned case no. 24966049. My vehicle lost steering power for the fourth time on December 21, 2015. It left a huge puddle of fluid on the pavement and the power steering container is empty. Every time this has happened, we have been lucky to avoid an accident. However, we have become afraid of driving the vehicle. The car is now permanently parked with no power steering. I believe there is a design or manufacturing defect with the hose that keeps coming off. …
Beginning in dec 2017, we've had sporadic issues while driving on highways and local roads with some portion of the electrical system. When this happens, the center lcd dash screen powers off, and we lose power steering and brakes. Dash lights, exterior lights, radio, A/C all stay on. Typically we have to pull over and turn the car off & back on for it to return. From dec-oct, its happened approx 5-6 times. The dealer wasn't able to replicate the issue for the days they had it, and no error codes were written. A friend also with a Durango described to me similar issues with his, and said his TIPM was faulty. We have lifetime warranty, and the TIPM is covered, but they refuse to replace it until the dealer can replicate the issue and get an error code pointing to the TIPM. I believe because we lose power steering, that this is a serious safety hazard and should be replaced regardless.
Steering complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Dodge Durango, 7% of the model year's 640 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Durango steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2012 Dodge Durango, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Durango steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.