Dodge Durango Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 1,138 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge Durango across 22 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (281). The words owners use most often: “oil pressure” (12% of reports).
- 1,138engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 17mention a crash
- 8mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $7,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil pressure: mentioned in 131 of 1,138 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Dodge Durango at $7,050, and half of them between $1,750 and $9,300.
Based on 59 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 844 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,138 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 39 a fire, 8 an injury.
Dodge Durango engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Durango | 1 | 7% | 11,000 |
| 2024 Durango | 1 | 7% | 9,500 |
| 2021 Durango | 4 | 2% | 59,000 |
| 2019 Durango | 3 | 2% | 72,012 |
| 2018 Durango | 2 | 1% | 65,850 |
| 2017 Durango | 1 | 0% | 99,414 |
| 2015 Durango | 2 | 0% | 30,000 |
| 2014 Durango | 2 | 0% | 150,000 |
| 2013 Durango | 4 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2012 Durango | 8 | 1% | 79,124 |
| 2011 Durango | 5 | 1% | 89,600 |
| 2008 Durango | 1 | 1% | 45,500 |
| 2007 Durango | 4 | 2% | 35,970 |
| 2006 Durango | 20 | 2% | 44,000 |
| 2005 Durango | 216 | 14% | 40,000 |
| 2004 Durango | 249 | 22% | 81,000 |
| 2003 Durango | 40 | 12% | 54,881 |
| 2002 Durango | 46 | 11% | 70,000 |
| 2001 Durango | 55 | 8% | 63,500 |
| 2000 Durango | 127 | 12% | 73,000 |
| 1999 Durango | 281 | 14% | 79,000 |
| 1998 Durango | 66 | 7% | 65,499 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Model years: 2021
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2012
Problem: 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. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while pulling up to the residence, there was a gurgling sound coming from the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, the gurgling sound got louder. The contact's husband opened the trunk, and the coolant reservoir…
The contact owns a 2026 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was heavy white smoke coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact was able to continue driving the…
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a week later, while the vehicle…
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…
The contact owns a 2024 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with dual exhaust pipes located on the driver's side and passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that a part of the passenger's side rear bumper…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Durangos have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,138 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Dodge Durango. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Durango engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge Durango?
Owners report a typical cost of $7,050 (half paid between $1,750 and $9,300), from 59 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge Durango?
The most frequent phrase is “oil pressure”, in 131 of 1,138 complaints.
Other Dodge Durango problems
- Suspension problems (2,762)
- Electrical System problems (2,727)
- Power Train problems (1,318)
- Engine problems (1,296)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (1,105)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,071)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (850)
- Air Bags problems (849)
See all Dodge Durango problems.