The 2013 Durango is a solid three-row SUV built on the Mercedes ML platform, but the 3.6L Pentastar suffers catastrophic cylinder head failures and the 5.7L Hemi has notorious lifter issues. Both share a cooling-related transmission weakness that kills units prematurely if ignored.
3.6L Pentastar Cylinder Head Failure (Left Bank)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leaks, White smoke from exhaust on cold starts, Misfire codes P0301-P0303, Oil contamination in coolant reservoir, Overheating under load
Fix: Left cylinder head cracks between valves due to casting defect. Requires complete head replacement, machine work, timing chain service while apart. 12-16 hours labor. Many shops recommend doing both heads while engine is apart to prevent repeat failure.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
5.7L Hemi Lifter and Cam Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start ticking that persists beyond 30 seconds, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Loss of power on one or more cylinders, Metal shavings in oil, Camshaft position sensor codes
Fix: MDS (cylinder deactivation) lifters fail, wiping cam lobes. Requires camshaft, all 16 lifters, often rockers and pushrods. If debris circulated, complete teardown for bearing inspection. 18-24 hours labor minimum, can escalate to short block if bearings damaged.
Estimated cost: $4,000-8,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Strawberry milkshake appearance in coolant reservoir, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Overheating transmission, Coolant in transmission pan, Radiator failure accompanies this
Fix: Oil cooler inside radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Requires new radiator, complete transmission flush and filter, often torque converter replacement. If driven after mixing, full transmission rebuild needed. Cooler line replacement 4-6 hours; full trans rebuild adds 12-16 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 for cooler/flush; $3,500-5,000 if transmission damaged
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Intermittent no-start conditions, Fuel pump not priming, Wipers activating randomly, Horn honking on its own, ABS/traction control lights with no codes, Power windows failing
Fix: Central control module develops internal relay and circuit failures. Dodge issued TSB and recalls for some symptoms. Requires TIPM replacement and programming. 2-3 hours labor plus programming time. Used units often fail similarly; recommend new or remanufactured with warranty.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500
Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Separation
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Wandering steering or pull to one side, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Visible play when prying on wheel, Front end feels loose at highway speeds
Fix: Ball joints are pressed into control arms and fail prematurely. Some technicians attempt pressing new joints, but arms often crack during removal. Recommend complete control arm assemblies both sides. 3-4 hours labor for both sides, includes alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Rear Differential Pinion Seal Leak
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil dripping from front of differential, Low fluid causes whining noise during acceleration, Oil staining on driveshaft and undercarriage, Burning oil smell after highway driving
Fix: Pinion seal hardens and leaks. Requires driveshaft removal, pinion nut torque spec is critical (requires holding tool and inch-pound measurement). If preload is lost, bearing replacement required. 2-3 hours labor for seal only; 6-8 hours if bearings needed.
Estimated cost: $400-700 seal only; $1,200-1,800 with bearings
Evaporative Emissions System Leak (Fuel Tank Vent Valve)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light P0455 or P0456 (large/small EVAP leak), Fuel smell near tank after fill-up, Hissing sound when opening fuel cap, Difficulty fueling (pump clicks off repeatedly)
Fix: Vent valve on top of fuel tank fails. Tank must be dropped for access. Often combined with fuel pump replacement if age-appropriate. 3-4 hours labor for tank drop and valve replacement.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles maximum with quality synthetic on Hemi engines—MDS system is brutal on oil
Flush transmission fluid every 60,000 miles and inspect cooler lines at radiator for seepage
Install auxiliary transmission cooler if towing regularly—factory cooler is marginal
On 3.6L engines, monitor coolant level obsessively after 70K miles—early detection prevents complete engine failure
Use Mopar-spec ATF+4 only in transmission—aftermarket fluids accelerate failure
Pass on high-mileage examples unless engine and transmission have documented replacements—both powertrains have catastrophic design flaws that cost more to fix than the vehicle is worth.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
SERVICE BRAKES · 17V572000
2017-09-18
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.
Consequence: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 15V879000
2015-12-28 · RQ15003
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.
Consequence: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: 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. The recall began on July 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R71.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 15V115000
2015-02-27
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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall began on August 7, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.
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.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 14V391000
2014-07-02 · EA14001
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.
Consequence: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.
SERVICE BRAKES · 14V154000
2014-04-01
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.
Consequence: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · 14V104000
2014-03-04
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P05.
SEATS · 12V560000
2012-12-04
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."
Consequence: The vehicle may be filled over capacity which could increase injury during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and provide replacement labels free of charge. At the owner's option, they may take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for installation of the label. The service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 18, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
AIR BAGS · 12V391000
2012-08-08
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 24, 2012. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
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