Is the 2011 Dodge Durango a bad year?
800 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 185, 7.4× a quiet Durango year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 7.4× the complaints of a quiet Durango year, spread over 46k–108k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 Durango owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 514 (64%) | 50k–94k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 184 (23%) | 46k–107k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 135 (17%) | 44k–80k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 83 (10%) | 46k–85k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 51 (6%) | 43k–87k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 27 (3%) | 28k–82k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 21 (3%) | 45k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 21 (3%) | 66k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 19 (2%) | 52k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (2%) | 41k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Interior lighting | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 800 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 57 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 41 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car has been stalling but then starting right back up for no reason for a couple of years now. Not all the time but when I step on the brakes or make a slight turn.
The car will crank but will not start. When pressing the push to start button it turns over like its going to start but will not start.
Vehicle developed a misfire and was found to have flattened the cam and lifter in number 2 cyclinder causeing motor damage.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Dodge Durango: 8
The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
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. The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed. If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside. The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 79
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Dodge Durango. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
Oil Filter Adapter If replacing Oil Filter Adapter due to oil leak, please be aware a seal kit is available for repair
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Headliner Fires
Headliner Fires
Neighbouring years
2012 Durango: 639 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Durango year
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Questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Durango a bad year?
800 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 185, 7.4× a quiet Durango year. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 7.4× the complaints of a quiet Durango year, spread over 46k–108k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Durango?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (514), engine (184), fuel system (135), brakes (83), transmission and drivetrain (51). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 46k–108k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Durango have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 19V-813), Brakes (NHTSA 17V-572), Electrical system (NHTSA 17V-435), Interior lighting (NHTSA 15V-879) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.