Do Dodge Durangos Have a Lot of Problems?

There was once a time when a Dodge Durango was the car to get thanks to its impressive, sporty look and smooth ride. 

For all its perfections, however, there are a few issues with the Durango that simply must be addressed, especially if you’re looking to purchase one for yourself. 

Here’s what you need to know.

Do Dodge Durangos Have a Lot of Problems?

The Dodge Durango has experienced several issues, including engine failure, clogged fuel circulation tubes, and poor overall reliability. Cracked exhaust manifold bolts are one of the most commonly reported issues. The Dodge Durango has experienced fairly low ratings in customer satisfaction.

It’s never fun to hear the negative, harsh-reality side of things when it comes to cars, but you should know what they are upfront.

The real question is whether or not you should still buy a Dodge Durango. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of these problems and see if they can be easily fixed.

Dodge Durango Issues

There are two issues with the Dodge Durango that could very well be considered the most commonly found problems by owners. 

One is the aforementioned exhaust manifold bolts. 

These bolts reportedly break after the car is driven more than 111,000 miles. 

When these bolts break, the integrity of the exhaust manifold is significantly lowered.

Engine failure is another common problem that Durangos have been dealing with for a while. 

The 5.7L V8 engine is especially prominent on the list of engines with issues. 

Around 115,000 miles or so, engines have been reported to fail and require a $5,000 repair. 

Sometimes, the engine needs to be replaced completely. 

This is a factor that turns a lot of people off to get a Durango because this is a fairly expensive issue to fix. 

A lot of people prefer to purchase a new car rather than replace the engine.

The Dodge Durango has also experienced many problems with its exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) tube getting severely clogged. 

This can cause the car to stop working or shake while the car is idle. 

Thankfully, this is one of the problems here that could potentially cost you nothing.

If you clean the tube out thoroughly, your car should start working normally again.

Dodge Durangos have issues with the HVAC system. 

While it works fine most of the time, there have been several complaints about a musty smell that is noticeable every time the blowers turn on. 

Some manufacturers have tried to remedy this issue by providing cleansers and evaporation coatings to try to do away with the odor, but most solutions haven’t worked.

Above all, beware of buying a Dodge Durango because there have been a few recalls on the car that were issued by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). 

The culmination of all these problems, engine failure especially, resulted in a few vehicle recalls.

Consumer Complaints

Aside from all the mechanical problems that a Dodge Durango will have, there have been quite a few consumer complaints as well. 

Several owners have complained that the doors and windshield leak water whenever they are driving in the rain. 

Not only is this incredibly annoying, but it could also mean that the integrity of the doors and windows is not what it should be, and it could become a safety issue further down the road.

Overall reliability has been called into question by owners over the years. 

Dodge is known for manufacturing good-looking cars that are pretty reliable for the most part. 

Unfortunately, the Dodge Durango ranked almost last in those terms and has been said to be Dodge’s least reliable vehicle on the market.

The upgrades and yearly changes often leave plenty to be desired. 

The years 2015 and 2016 in particular were disappointing for Dodge Durango watchers. 

There were almost no changes or upgrades on the 2016 Durango to make it different from and better than the 2015 model. 

This means that most of the car’s previous issues were again prevalent with another model.

Another common complaint is that the Dodge Durango is constantly in the shop. 

There have been several Durango models that have functioned well and not given their owners any grief. 

However, the majority of owners have complained about having to take their car into the shop regularly and the expense of the needed repairs.

Maintenance

If you own a Dodge Durango, your car is going to have issues that can be neither ignored nor avoided. 

However, you can make great strides toward improving your car’s chances of living a long and healthy life by using these maintenance tips. 

These will hopefully help you to keep your vehicle in great shape for years to come.

The most important thing you can do is keep your Durango on a regular maintenance schedule. 

Make sure you are getting the oil changed on time as well as getting your tires rotated and balanced roughly every 7,000 miles or so. 

Oil changes will keep dirty oil from contaminating and ruining your engine, and consistent tire rotation will minimize uneven wear and tear on your tires.

It might not be a bad idea to clean your Dodge Durango every few weeks or so. 

This will help you not only keep your car looking shiny and new but will ensure that any grime and gunk that has accumulated is washed away. 

It will keep your Durango in pretty good condition if you’re willing to make that biweekly trip to the car wash.

Getting the brakes repaired/replaced regularly will help keep your Dodge Durango in tip-top shape. 

There have been multiple brake failures in the Dodge Durango. 

Keeping your brakes in good repair is a fantastic way to prevent that brake failure and keep the car running without issue. 

Remember that faulty brakes are a major safety hazard!

To that end, get an engine tuneup regularly. 

Since engine failure is such a common problem with Durangos, getting the engine checked and tuned up regularly can’t hurt.

Plus, if you’re vigilant about getting it checked, the chances of you running into unforeseen problems will lower.