2018 Dodge Durango Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 229 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 5 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2018 Dodge Durango receives a 3.6/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 229 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 5 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports with a median failure point at 3,500 miles (IQR: 2,850 – 34,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $280 – $850 .
35.2 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
5 Active / Free Remedies
2018 Durango Failure Distribution by Vehicle Subsystem
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The electronic stability control(ESC) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. However, on other occasions, when the vehicle ...”
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale purchased on December 27, 2025. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 82,000. While attempting to purchase an extended warr...”
“Manufacturer Recall Number94B NHTSA Recall Number24V-838 Recall has been active but without a solution since 2022 and reopened in 2024.”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“I was driving to work and when I turned into my job the steering wheel became hard. I parked my truck turned it off and turned it back on and all of my dashboard lights came on and didn’t go away. The truck would not go into any gear. Initially, we thought it was a battery pro...”
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while stopped in a Drive-Thru, there was an abnormally loud sound before the driver’s side head restraint unexpectedly deployed. The contact's head was pushed forward with force and struck the steering wheel. There...”
“Purchased this vehicle used from a dealership and a few months later the racetrack light malfunctioned and stopped working which is also connected to my license plate light. The dealership refused to cover the expense of the light which to my surprise was over two thousand dol...”
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“Back to back error codes P0300 P0108 P1404 P0172 Rough running engine. Very strong smell of fuel at two different times while driving. Vehicle not responding to gas pedal while driving on highway. Repairs at thousands of dollars.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a week late...”
“Over time, the valvetrain in my engine became gradually louder. Because there were no check engine lights or fault codes, I initially assumed this was a normal characteristic of the engine. That changed on January 2, 2026, when I began to hear a pronounced knocking/loud tappin...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“FORMAL COMPLAINT Safety Recall 94B (NHTSA Campaign No. 24V-838) I hereby submit this complaint regarding the failure to properly complete Safety Recall 94B (NHTSA Campaign No. 24V-838) involving the HCU/ABS module on my 2018 Dodge Durango. On December 23, 2025, I contacted an ...”
“Manufacturer Recall Number94B NHTSA Recall Number24V-838 Recall has been active but without a solution since 2022 and reopened in 2024.”
“Anti lock brakes do not work. First icy conditions it locked up easily. 94B recall was supposed to be "first quarter of 2025"”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“I was driving to work and when I turned into my job the steering wheel became hard. I parked my truck turned it off and turned it back on and all of my dashboard lights came on and didn’t go away. The truck would not go into any gear. Initially, we thought it was a battery pro...”
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V83800(Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the brake lights were illuminated. The contact stated tha...”
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle had started to lose motive power and nearly stalled. The contact stated that the check engine, a yellow "P" and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. T...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“The passenger side active headrest restraint deployed at 3mph in a parking lot. There had been a safety recall for apparently my vin is not covered per dodge. ... If this would have happened on the drivers side at highway speeds, it could have been deadly. The vehicle is at ny...”
“June 11, 2026 Re: Unexpected Passenger-Side Active Head Restraint Deployment – 2018 Dodge Durango R/T To Whom It May Concern: I am reporting an incident involving my 2018 Dodge Durango R/T equipped with leather seats. Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2018 Dodge Durango R/...”
“Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“First we thought the fuel pump went bad due to the vehicle not starting. Pump was replaced and about 3 weeks later the same issue persisted. When the shop investigated it turns out the fuel tank harness and body side connector needed to be replaced due to connections becoming ...”
“Had to replace fuel canister and sensor. Had to redo fuel system . The evap sensor appeared while driving, engine light came on and car started driving really weird and shaking. It was freaking out did not drive right.”
“CANNOT FILL FUEL TANK PROPERLY. WITHOUT MESSING WITH HOW FAR TO PUT FUEL NOZZLE IN OR FLIP ENTIRELY UPSIDE DOWN.IT WILL NOT FILL THE FUEL TANK. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE 22000 MILES I HAVE OWNED THIS BRAND NEW DURANGO. BUT TODAY I HAVE HAD ENOUGH”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (5)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may incorrectly illuminate the brake lights and disable the ABS and electronic stability control (ESC). In addition, the vehicle operator may be able to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2018 Dodge Durango
Before purchasing a used 2018 Dodge Durango, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2018 Dodge Durango
Is the 2018 Dodge Durango a reliable used car?
The 2018 Dodge Durango earns a 3.6/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 229 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2018 Dodge Durango?
The leading complaint category is Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports, with a median failure point around 3,500 miles (IQR: 2,850 – 34,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2018 Dodge Durango?
Yes, the NHTSA records 5 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.