While driving our 2012 Dodge Durango in town, we noticed the battery warning light come on and a hot smell coming from the vehicle. We were not far from home so we limped it back home to the garage to see what was going on. When we lifted the hood, there was a very overwhelming burning smell, our alternator was literally glowing red hot, and there was smoke pouring out from around it. We quickly put out the fire and disconnected the battery. Afterwards, we had it towed to a repair shop where it was confirmed the alternator failed as well as fried our PCM in the process. We paid for the install of a new alternator and PCM, however, the radio remained failed. Upon researching this scenario, we found there was a recall for this exact issue for the exact span of years and engine type, however, our VIN was somehow not included in this recall. That needs to be changed. The alternator issue could have been extremely dangerous for our family while in the car, as well as others around us due to what could have happened if the card didn’t make it home. We could have been stranded on a busy road way causing accidents while the car was engulfed in flames due to the alternator. Also, had we not immediately popped the hood at home to check the engine, the car could have burned down our home. We request that the federal safety agency and FCA recall company address this issue and the potential for extending the recall to include other Durango VINs.
2012 Dodge Durango: fire, smoke or burning smell
23 of the 640 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Durango describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- recalls
- 5
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the battery warning light had illuminated, and the contact notices a burning plastic odor. The contact pulled over and opened the hood and saw black smoke coming from the alternator. The contact stated that he disconnected the negative battery cable; however, he stated that positive connector was extremely hot to the touch. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery, alternator, and the Engine Control Module (ECM) needed be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine and battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle began to lose power. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot but was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and while inspecting under the hood noticed that the alternator had caught on fire. The contact called the fire and police department but the fire extinguished on its own before fire marshals arrived on scene. A police/fire department report was filed. The contact was informed that if she would have continued driving, the entire vehicle would have caught on flames. The vehicle was towed to local dealer ralph sellers chrysler dodge jeep ram (14215 airline hwy, gonzales, la 70737 (225) 529-9160) where it was diagnosed with needing the alternator replaced due to an internal shortage. The vehicle was repaired however, upon investigation the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). The VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,923.
While I was driving in the street I saw some white smoke coming out from the hood I parked and open the hood and notice that in back of the engine there was a fire. Luckily I caught on time and I was able to stop it but some of the wires got all burned up.
While driving down a 2 lane highway the vehicle lost power and once pulled over on the shoulder we noticed a funny smell and flames coming under the hood. The car burned up and its totalled. Luckily noone is hurt. *dt photos attached
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. While the vehicle was stationary, it caught fire. The contact noticed smoke and flames under the hood. The fire department was not contacted. A fuel station attendant was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was due to a faulty alternator that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not made aware of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. After the contact opened the front driver's door, she noticed that the front passenger side was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and informed the contact that the electrical wiring from the mirror caused the fire. The vehicle was towed to orange park dodge (7233 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v879000 (electrical system, interior lighting) days before the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the alternator warning indicator illuminated. Some pedestrians noticed small flames under the hood of the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and the pedestrians extinguished the flames with water. The contact obtained assistance to have the vehicle pushed to her home. The vehicle was later towed to the northtown chrysler jeep dodge ram dealer (2020 niagara falls blvd, tonawanda, ny 14150; 716‑692‑7000) where it was diagnosed that the starter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle then showed a code indicating "misfire cylinder 4" while at the dealer. The contact received a call from the dealer stating that the failure (including the flames underneath the hood) recurred. The dealer extinguished the flames and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer also informed the contact that the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and opened case number: 32565723; however, the matter had not been resolved or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,188. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. While the vehicle was parked, the alternator caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to tempe dodge (8005 s autoplex loop, tempe, az 85284, phone number: (480) 598-2329) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v879000 (electrical system, interior lighting) and 17v435000 (electrical system). The parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer stated that the parts would not be available until january of 2018 and did not recommend an interim remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
As vehicle was being parked in drive way check engine light came on. As driver walked past vehicle on the way in house he smelled something so popped hood and noticed smoke coming from what appears to be alternator and noticed burn marks. Power seemed to be gone as remote would not work to lock doors. Roadside assistance came and when he connected a little battery pack type thing to battery to try and charge there were sparks. When he attached jumper cables, they got fried to the point the handle was separated from the cable and just short of catching fire but the other car was turned off to avoid the fire. Truck was towed to shop. They said they could not get car to even jump or start using battery pack and when they replaced the battery all together whatever the issue is fried that battery. Again was able to smell something. Was advised it appears to be associated with the wiring. On 5/10 car was taken to dodge dealer for check engine light and was told fuel pump was issue since relay had been previously replaced as part of recall but when they took relay off they found burn marks on it as well and replaced it.
Car wouldn't start from being parked, smelled burning under hood. Was able to take a battery jump, but could only go half mile before stalling without warning. Had alternator tested bad. Replaced it twice& still having problems all testing bad. Had no warning except battery icon flashed on briefly & then went off prior to incident.
I smelled burning while driving on a city street. The car just died. I got out raised hood. Smelled burning at alternator. Car is completely dead. Called tow truck.. Next day. Car towed to all tech auto. Diagnosis- 180amp alternator bad and caused extensive damage to tipm and PCM. Paid 760.00 for replaced alternator. Towed to dealership - tipm and PCM shorted out, 2066.00 to repair. My car is currently at the dealership waiting for me to earn the money to repair. Im praying that I will have an additional 2066.00 in two weeks so I can get repairs completed. Fca recalled 160amp and 220amp. How do they skip over the 180amp in the durango crew? You won't have as many complaints because there weren't as many manufactured as the other models - unfair! Send someone to investigate before repairs are made.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Speaker - none
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle,...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
- Flash: HVAC System Enhancement
- Hands Free Module Prompts Begin Erroneously.
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Flash: Unresponsive Remote Entry Transmitter Integrated Key Frequency Operated Button (FOB)
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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 the federal safety agency 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V813000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V435000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V115000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 14V634000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 14V391000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2012 Dodge Durango fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
23 of 640 owner complaints about the 2012 Dodge Durango (4%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Dodge Durango?
There are 5 recalls and 39 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2012 Dodge Durango
Stalling 155Fuel pump 82Won't start 64Check engine light 48Loss of power 40Engine failure 23Wipers 19Misfire 17Power steering loss 14Airbag light 13Steering lock-up 12Headlights 11Warning lights 11Key fob 9Knocking 8Won't shift 8Brake failure 7Jerking 7Adaptive cruise 6No deployment 6Hesitation 6Overheating 6ABS 5
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