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2012 Dodge Durango: check engine light

48 of the 640 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Durango describe check engine light.

owner complaints
48
of this car's complaints
8%
typical repair cost reported
$3,000
typical mileage
89,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 29 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 2, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · 190,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Approximately three weeks later, while stopped at a light, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The gear shifter was shifted to park(P) to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the timing chain was blown. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were failures with Oxygen sensors, head gaskets, oil pan, oil pump, B2S1 heater, that the intake manifold was cracked, there was cylinder #2 misfire, and the circuit harness needed to be repaired, and DTC: P0300 was retrieved. The vehicle was repaired each time, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · OH

I’ll be driving down the road and my car just shuts off. Steering becomes tight, no engine lights come on radio is still playing no warning except driving down the road and all of a sudden you can’t steer. It’s very dangerous especially when it happens while you are driving around the curve with children in the car. My mechanic can’t tell me why this happens. No explanation. This has happen several times

Filed Dec 25, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

This family car had recall back in august fuel module for powertrain check engine light got it fix and few days later check engine turn on and has turned off since car slows down on freeway wont pick up speed and stall on me twice already with kids in car was going 65 and all sudden slow down wiuldnt pick up acceleration and turn off has run good since still having issues dealership says noting wrong with it

Filed Nov 7, 2022 · Electrical · CA

While driving, the ignition switch may fail and think that the key has been removed. This results in a total loss of power and the engine cutting off. The result is very limited steering and braking capability. This has happen to me more than 20 times in the pass 2 months. This problem still continues to happen even after changing the recent fuel pump recall on August 12, 2022. No check engine light on dash as well. This is my family vehicle and I do carry my children in this vehicle. We have been put in so many unsafe situations. This can cause an accident. This is a safety issue and should be recalled.

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Engine · WA

Engine light on, car was over a month for repair at Rairdon Dodge in Redmond, WA, paid over 5000 in repair, in the end they said can not be fixed needs a new engine. Engine light was on again after 49 miles , misfire cilinder 1, 3, 5 . And fuel pump again. Rairdon contacted Chrysler and nothing. Thanks

Filed Mar 29, 2022 · Engine · 122,400 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. The contact pulled safely off the highway and turned the vehicle off and waited for nearly an hour before restarting the vehicle and driving back to her residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The failure persisted. The thermostat and water pump were replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle continued experiencing the overheating failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the thermostat and water pump were replaced a second time. The failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,400.

Filed Mar 25, 2022 · Engine · 140,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started lagging. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the road and noticed the engine coolant was low, but no leaks were found. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated coolant was added. The contact stated the coolant was low again shortly after filling the reservoir. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2021 · Engine · NY

My check engine light came on for my engine oil filter housing ! I had it repaired a total of 4 times already ! This recent time it put my vehicle into limp mode while doing 65 mph on the highway I had loss all power to my car ! Now even after repair my check engine still comes on with code and sends my car into limp mode until my PCM gets reflashed

Filed Jun 9, 2021 · Electrical · 93,000 miles · KY

The contact's spouse owns a 2012 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the stalled with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle would eventually restart after multiple attempts. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer installed a temporary fuel pump relay inside and stated that he would be notified once the permanent fix was available. Eight months later, the contact stated that the temporary fuel pump failed while his spouse was driving at 40 MPH. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Engine · GA

Check engine light came on. Code for cylinder 2 misfire. I've changed the coil packs and spark plugs. A day later light came back on for same code.

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Electrical · 165,400 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle start to lose power causing several electrical issues. The contact believed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the check engine light and battery light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to east hills chrysler jeep dodge ram srt (2300 northern blvd, greenvale, ny 11548) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the alternator and battery were replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that recalls were VIN specific. The failure mileage was approximately 165,400.

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · Electrical · 122,923 miles · LA · fire

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.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported September 29, 2011 · 667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V487000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2012 Dodge Durango check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2012 Dodge Durango?

48 of 640 owner complaints about the 2012 Dodge Durango (8%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2004.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2012 Dodge Durango?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Dodge Durango?

There is 1 recall and 29 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 64Loss of power 40Engine failure 23Fire or smoke 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

All model years of the Dodge Durango

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