Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 45 mph, the battery warning light was illuminated and other unknown warning lights would illuminate on and off. Additionally, the windshield wiper was inadvertently activated, the doors would not lock, and a burning odor was detected coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with alternator failure and the computer system's wires were burned out. The alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the mechanic. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall and referred the contact to NHTSA. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. …
The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated after his son had parked the vehicle in a parking lot and returned, the son had observed that the interior of the vehicle was obscured by smoke. The contact stated that when his son opened the driver's side door the vehicle ignited and blew the passenger side door open. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department and police were called to the scene. The contact stated that the fire had been extinguished with water. The contact said that the local fire chief had opened an investigation and the police had written a report. The vehicle was mounted onto a flatbed truck and taken to an impound lot. The contact stated that his insurance provider had declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact had attempted to notify the manufacturer of the failure, but could not get his phone call taken. …
The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated her husband was attempting to start the ignition but it was a "hard start". The driver started the following day while driving 25 mph when the vehicle and the steering wheel seized. The driver stated he lost control of the vehicle and it steered to the right and crashed into multiple parked vehicles. The driver stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver stated both front driver and passenger side airbags deployed. The driver stated he had minor injuries on his right side shoulder and elbow but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was deemed total by the insurance company. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. …
The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the driveway parked unattended, it caught fire without warning. The contact's husband noticed the vehicle was on fire while approaching the resident. The fire department was on the scene and stated it was due to an electrical fire in the vanity mirror. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or a police report filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 123.000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to start the vehicle after the third attempt. The contact stated she had experienced the failure multiple times. The contact stated that while investigating the failure, she discovered that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called Covert Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (8107 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758, [phone]), South Point Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (5210 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78745, [phone]) and Sames Bastrop Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1586 State Hwy 71, Cedar Creek, TX 78612: [phone]) and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
While driving on the highway last night, my husband smelled smoke and then his eyes began to burn. As he was about to pull over, a flame fell from the passenger sun visor! There was more smoke and fire as he pulled over. The car became engulfed in flames fairly quickly. Thankfully he was alone without other family members (or our dog) and he was able to get out safely. He had to stand on the side of the highway waiting for responders. It was towed and we are in the process of speaking with insurance and figuring out what to do next. Today we researched Dodge Durango car fire and came across the recall from 2014 which SPECIFICALLY said passenger sun visor fire hazard! Clearly that is exactly what happened. We have proof that we brought the vehicle to the dealership in 2014 to complete this recall. …
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the alternator was overcharging and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred 3 months later. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the alternator and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V634000 (Electrical System). The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel flickered. The Blind Spot Detection and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The display screen showed a distorted image while the radio malfunctioned. The contact then detected a burning odor and noticed smoke coming from the air vents and underneath the hood. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle inadvertently turned off. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and replaced the alternator and battery. The vehicle was turned on, but the engine failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). …
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle jump-started on several occasions to resume normal driving. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed to determine the cause of the failure. He was also informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) needed to be repaired before the diagnostic test was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
This is on Chrysler: Chrysler "FCA US LLC" is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering "EHPS" and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail. Alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. This happened 8/19/2023, the alternator caught on fire. My mechanic now says it fried my electrical system as well
Related recalls
Electrical system
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under NHTSA Recall 14V530 or 15V115.
Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018.
Electrical system
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6, 5.7 or 6.4 liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6 or 5.7 liter engine.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Show 1 more recall
Electrical system › Wiring
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires
In response to this investigation, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is conducting a recall to address headliner fires that occur post 14V-391.On December 22, 2015 FCA notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of safety recall 15V-879 to remedy potential headliner fires occurring in 389,252 model year (MY) 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2009 to September…
Headliner Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 5 reports of vehicle headliners catching fire at the front of the vehicle near the sun visors on Jeep Grand Cherokees.Customers reported a range of fire conditions ranging from minor overheating to an open flame at the headliner and/or sun visor material while driving the vehicle.
Headliner Fires
On July 1st, 2014 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy a wiring-related fire hazard on the headliner of approximately 661,888 model year (MY) 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured between January 5, 2010 and December 11, 2013 (see NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-391), with notifications to begin in…
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
Electrical complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 290 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Dodge Durango, 45% of the model year's 640 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Durango electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-813 (electrical system, Nov 14, 2019); NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 15V-115 (electrical system, Feb 27, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Durango electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 29 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.