Is the 2012 Dodge DURANGO reliable?

The 2012 Dodge DURANGO has 917 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Dodge DURANGO?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (344 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (149 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (99 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Dodge DURANGO?

Yes, there are 10 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Contact any Dodge dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Dodge DURANGO?

The 2012 Dodge DURANGO has an EPA rating of 18 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $4269. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Dodge DURANGO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Dodge DURANGO is approximately $1,781/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2012 Dodge DURANGO qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Dodge DURANGO may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Dodge DURANGO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge DURANGO has 917 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.7x the segment average of 250. The most common issue is electrical problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: there has been more than one incident date on this issue. i just entered the last time it has happened. when going to start my vehicle it starts, than automatically stalls. i have had this happen over 6 times in the last 2 months. i have read countless reports of other chrysler vehicles having t. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 36 fire reports filed.

36 fire reports 23 crash reports 17 injuries

917

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

3.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

344 complaints

38%

• THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INCIDENT DATE ON THIS ISSUE. I JUST ENTERED THE LAST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. WHEN GOING TO START MY VEHICLE IT STARTS, THAN AUTOMATICALLY STALLS. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN OVER 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS REPORTS OF OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVING T
• I WAS SETTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND ALL DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT,ANOTHER OCCASION PARKED AND MAP LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF ALSO DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO OFTEN I HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALER WITH NO LUCK I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE T
• OUR 2012 DODGE DURANGO R/T WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AS A REPLACEMENT FOR LEMON LAW BUY BACK OF OUR 2009 DODGE JOURNEY. THE DURANGO IS PLAGUED WITH DESIGN FLAWS. THE MOST OBVIOUS IS THE TIPM TOTAL INTEGRATED MODULE. THE FAILURE OF THIS MODULE RESULTING IN OUR VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE VEHICLE CRANKS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 30 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INCIDENT DATE ON THIS ISSUE. I JUST ENTERED THE LAST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. WHEN GOING TO START MY VEHICLE IT STARTS, THAN AUTOMATICALLY STALLS. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN OVER 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS REPORTS OF OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVING T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge DURANGO

Based on 677 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 71K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

192

60-100K

226

100-150K

135

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 36K mi · 41 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 64K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 59K mi · 78 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 42K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (10)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR10/07/2017

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.

Risk: If the 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.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Dodge DURANGO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$4,230

Per month

$353

Per mile

35.3¢

kWh/mi

1.87

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge DURANGO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,781

Full coverage / month

$148

Liability only / year

$665

vs US avg

+6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1781

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2012 DURANGO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2012 Dodge DURANGO

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 917 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INCIDENT DATE ON THIS ISSUE. I JUST ENTERED THE LAST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. WHEN GOING TO START MY VEHICLE IT STARTS, THAN AUTOMATICALLY STALLS. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN OVER 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS REPORTS OF OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAVING T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: BRAND NEW VEHICLE LEASE. AT DEALERSHIP WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN GEAR ENGINE STALLED 4 TIMES. SALESMAN ENTERED VEHICLE AND ACCELERATED ENGINE THEN PUT IN GEAR AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN AND STATED VEHICLE WAS OK. ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY WHEN COMING TO A STOP BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MID
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: SITTING IDLE ON A DRIVEWAY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SMELL. PUNCHED GAS THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME HUGE WHITE BLUE CLOUD OF SMOKE PUSHED OUT. SMELL OF BURNING METAL CAME WITH CLOUD OF SMOKE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY AT FIRST COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE ON AN INCL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AT APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MPH AND PULLING INTO HER CARPORT, AS SHE WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BRAKES FAILED, AND SHE CRASHED INTO HER LAWN MOWER, PUSHING IT INTO HER GARAGE DOOR. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)