GarageIntel

2013 Dodge Durango: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known weak spot on this generation: 3.6L Pentastar — left-bank cylinder head. 11 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 45% about electrical.

Before you buy A persistent tick from the left bank, a cylinder-2 misfire code. A head replacement (or both) on record clears this concern.

Looking at a 2013 Dodge Durango for sale?

No VIN? Paste the ad for a fair-price check.

The full report adds this car’s market value and what to offer.

Known problems on the 2013 Dodge Durango

3.6L Pentastar — left-bank cylinder head $1,200–$2,500 to fix

Early 3.6L Pentastars fail the left (driver-side) cylinder head — a tick, then a misfire on cylinder 2 and often the exhaust valve seat drops. Chrysler issued a special coverage and revised the head casting for 2014+.

Check for: A persistent tick from the left bank, a cylinder-2 misfire code. A head replacement (or both) on record clears this concern.

Basis: Chrysler special coverage; NHTSA complaints; revised 2014 casting

Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.

2013 Dodge Durango recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2013 Dodge Durango. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

Show all 11
  • Brakes

    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.

    Details 14V104000

    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.

    Fix: 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.

  • Brakes

    The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Details 14V154000

    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.

    Fix: 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.

  • Electrical

    If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Details 14V634000

    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.

    Fix: 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.

  • Airbags

    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.

    Details 12V391000

    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.

    Fix: 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.

  • Seats

    The vehicle may be filled over capacity which could increase injury during a vehicle crash.

    Details 12V560000

    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."

    Fix: 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.

2013 Dodge Durango safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2013 Dodge Durango safety and fuel

4 of 5 starsNHTSA overall crash rating
15–19 mpgEPA combined, depending on engine and drive
$3,400–$4,950 a yearEPA fuel-cost estimate (15,000 miles a year)

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

640 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Electrical45%
Engine & cooling19%
Fuel system14%
Brakes12%
Seats12%

Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.

Other Dodge Durango years

2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Looking at a 2013 Dodge Durango for sale?

No VIN? Paste the ad for a fair-price check.

The full report adds this car’s market value and what to offer.