One of the worst Durango years
Owners filed about 2.8 times as many complaints as a typical Durango year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 80,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Durango years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 640 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Durango. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (290, 45% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the fuel system. That ranks 3rd of 13 Durango years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 11 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2013 Dodge Durango before you buy.
Electrical system
290 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel and the engine unexpectedly shut off. Occasionally, the vehicle immediately restarted upon wiggling the ignition key; however, the vehicle needed to be manually started by turning the ignition key on other occasions. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact was informed that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), but the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
120 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 100,000 miles
Please see attached, and advise if you need additional information. As you will see, I've tried to contact someone on multiple occasions in regards to this issue. And as of yet, I have had NO response.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
92 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Fuel line disconnected from fuel rail, causing gasoline to flow onto engine while going 55 mph, stalling motor with resulting loss of power steering and power brakes.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The Durango showed no signs of a check engine light prior to. I called out a professional (AAA) to see what was going on and he said the there is no fuel going from the tank to crank the car. As if I was out of gas. I just had the recall serviced in 2023 I believe. It has not been long ago at all. I get my vehicle serviced regularly. I…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
90 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at 15 PMH and coming to a stop with his son in the front passenger seat, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond, causing a 50-60 feet in stopping distance delay. The brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle lightly crashed into…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 166,000 miles
since I have owned the vehicle ( I purchased it brand new) this has happened approx 30 times maybe more. Intermittently when you try to brake, the brake peddle is hard as a rock. I mostly notice it when I am at a fairly high speed say 50 mph but the problem is so sporadic not possible to have it replicated for the mechanic. There is a…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Seats and seat belts
79 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles. Parts named most: Front assembly: head restraint (10).
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Seat headrest popped out while driving. First it was the passanger seat and the driver seat followed. Part is broken and unable to be popped in.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The passenger seat head rest exploded without any impact to the vehicle. Fortunately, no one was sitting in the passenger seat at the time it exploded because it could have caused a head injury. After checking on the head rest, the plastic pin that kept it together broke.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bags
42 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The passenger headrest airbag deployed by itself without reason. No rear end collision. The headrest deployed and hit my 16 yr old daughter in the back of the head. Giving her a headache. No the vehicle has not been looked at yet, it is going to go to the dealer tomorrow. No messages prior to the failure. Now there is a red airbag…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My vehicle was hit on passenger side at approximately 35 miles an hour and the airbags did not deploy. Vehicle is totaled from the wreck and I sustained injuries which need medical attention.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
My vehicle randomly stalled in the middle of the road (I was unaware of the recall, I was not notified of recall upon purchase of vehicle) when I was towed to shop they confirmed the issue was the fuel pump relay (I believe that is what it’s called that the recall is for) I was charged $700 for 2.5 mile tow and repair. After leaving the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Vehicle goes into low gear and locks up the traction control on its own. Without turning the knob to 4WD. The knob is in AWD when this happens. Usually you can put in neutral and turn the knob back and forth then let the car roll forward a little bit and the low gear and traction control will turn off, then you have to wait a little bit…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
27 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH and making a left turn, the turn signal was engaged but the driver's side blinker failed to illuminate, causing the driver who was driving behind the contact to honk at her. A warning message indicating that the driver's side blinker had failed…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 dodge durango. The contact stated that water entered the vehicle associated with the sun roof and front windshield. The dealer was unable to prevent the failure after replacing a seal. The contact was referred to a glass repair shop who replaced the front windshield. The contact notified the [VIN]. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 57,000 miles
Steering
24 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
When I am at a complete stop and then I go to take off as I accelerate the vehicle pulls hard to the right it doesn’t do this every time but it pulls hard to the right and if I don’t catch it in time I will end up in the side of another car or in a ditch this also occurs while I’m already driving at speed and I got to accelerate it will…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Steering gear box needed to be changed. Took our vehicle in for a leak coming off what looked to be a coolant line. Next thing I know we got a call that our gear box needed replaced which leads me to believe that when we took it in for a regular service recently they said we had a leak in the drive line which we fixed. The dealership…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Cruise control and acceleration
17 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driver and passenger stopped at rest area on interstate I-75. When returning to vehicle, driver and passenger connected seatbelts. Driver checked surroundings for clearance before putting durango in reverse, with foot on brake to slowly exit parking space. While in reverse turn, vehicle suddenly [VIN] at a very high speed. A chevy cruze…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 35,000 miles
While parking my truck, I removed my foot from the accelerator and the truck [VIN] [VIN], went over a curb, into a tree and back over a curb. There was over $19,000 worth of damage to the truck. A case was opened with dodge/chrysler and the response was received over a month later indicating that this incident was not due [VIN] fault.…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 28,700 miles
Body, doors and structure
9 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
2013 dodge durango was showing rust bubbles on passenger door. Vehicle was in the body shop for accident repair and we asked for rust spots to be reviewed. Autobody manager confirmed that rust is corroding the door from the inside out and water is entering through a defect in the door handle. There is a clear water mark line visible from…Owner complaint, filed 2019
While parked in our driveway with the vehicle off, my wife opened the rear liftgate using the exterior latch handle. The liftgate raised to the open position automatically, but then slammed shut without warning. When the pneumatic strut that holds the liftgate open failed, the entire weight of the liftgate landed on my wife's head, who…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 94,000 miles
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle. cuts off when running, check engine light came on. Had vehicle checked and replaced 02 sensors and filter. After replacing it ran worse than it did before replacing them.Check engine light will not go off.Owner complaint, filed 2024
We purchased our vehicle on 5/31/13. Less than three months later, the first set of rear shocks were ordered for [VIN]. We have now owned the vehicle just over 2 years and will be having the shocks replaced for the fourth time. Nobody at the dealership has ever explained why we have such issues, and when I called this most recent time…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 3,741 miles
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
To whom this may concern: the axle shaft nut is notorious for rusting badly on these vehicles. Water gets trapped behind the center cap on the wheel and moisture causes the shaft ends and nuts to corrode at an [VIN] rate. Mine are almost completely unrecognizable as nuts at this point, and should I have to remove the nuts to service…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 130,000 miles
Recently I had a flat tire. I pulled out the jack supplied by dodge, when attempting to raise the car the jack was rigid. When I raised the car I took the car's tire and placed it under the vehicle, while I was bringing the spare tire down, the jack gave way and the car landed on top of the tire I had just removed from the car. Thanks…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 35,000 miles
Driver assist systems
2 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
We were driving on the highway using the adaptive cruise control with the 3 furthest distance setting. Someone got in front of me and the FCW light came on and the engine shut off. We were able to pull off to the side of the road. I tried to start the car afterwards and it wouldn’t start. So we sat there for 15 minutes or so and tried…Owner complaint, filed 2023
hello I have got my truck off dealership like 6 months ago and my transmission is down I have to pay out of pocket also my head rest Popped out and hit my headOwner complaint, filed 2021
Dodge Durango complaints by year
Compare the 2013 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2013 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Dodge Durango | Among the worst years | 11 |
| 2013 Toyota Highlander | About average | 3 |
| 2013 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 6 |
| 2013 Ford Explorer | Worse than most years | 12 |
2013 Dodge Durango recalls
Electrical system
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness.
Full recall summary
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. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Brakes
- Risk
- If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.
Electrical system Alternator / generator / regulator
- Risk
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Wiring
- Risk
- The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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 wiring. This recall is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall.
Electrical system
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM.
Full recall summary
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. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
Electrical system Alternator / generator / regulator
- Risk
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Electrical system Wiring
- Risk
- If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes
- Risk
- The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure.
Full recall summary
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
Brakes Antilock / traction control / electronic limited slip
- Risk
- If the driver experiences a hard brake pedal, the driver may not push the pedal as intended, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 11, 2011, through October 1, 2012. Under certain braking events, the Ready Alert Braking System (RAB) may result in the driver experiencing a hard brake pedal feel.
Seats
- Risk
- The vehicle may be filled over capacity which could increase injury during a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and provide replacement labels free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Durango vehicles manufactured April 27, 2012, through September 14, 2012. The vehicles may have been built with incorrect seating capacity information labels. The label might overstate the seating capacity. Therefore, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS number 110 "Tire Selection and Rims."
Air bags
- Risk
- In the event of a side impact, rearward of the second row seat, the supplemental side air bag inflatable curtain may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from April 11, 2012, through July 20, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with the incorrect airbag occupant restraint control (ORC) module.
2013 Dodge Durango questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Durango?
The most reported problem areas on the 2013 Dodge Durango are the electrical system (290 complaints), the engine and cooling (120 complaints) and the fuel system (92 complaints).
Is the 2013 Dodge Durango a good year to buy?
One of the worst Durango years. Owners filed about 2.8 times as many complaints as a typical Durango year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 80,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Durango years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Durango have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Dodge Durango. The most recent, from Nov 2019, covers the electrical system. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 80,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 80,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Dodge Durango years should I avoid?
The Durango years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2013 Dodge Durango?
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