Dodge Durango VIN Number Check

Decode a Dodge Durango VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix1B41C41D41D8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Dodge Durango

About the Dodge Durango

Dodge has sold the Durango in the US since the 1998 model year, and there have been three generations. DN first (1998–2003), then HB (2004–2009), and the WD took over for 2011–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 73 vehicle recall campaigns and 13,854 owner complaints. The 1999 has the most complaints of any model year (1,967). EPA rates the DN at 12–15 mpg combined, while the WD gets 13–21 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1998–2026

GenerationsDN · HB · WD

NHTSA recall campaigns73

Owner complaints13,854 at NHTSA

Dodge Durango photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Dodge Durango generations

Three generations since the 1998 model year. The DN (1998–2003) has the most owner complaints, the WD (2011–2026) the most recall campaigns (40).

3 / 3

2011–20263rd generation

Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

199820052010201520202025

2011–2026· Generation 3 of 3

WD · 3rd generation

PlatformChrysler WK/WK2

EPA combined mpg13–21

NHTSA recalls40

Engines (EPA)

3.6 L 6-cyl · 2011–2026
5.7 L 8-cyl · 2011–2026
6.4 L 8-cyl · 2018–2024, 2026
6.2 L 8-cyl (supercharged) · 2021, 2023–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2011–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (1,709)Exterior lighting (900)Engine and cooling (694)4 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 4,495 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · WD1D4RE4GG?BC······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2011 Dodge Durango Crew, built in Detroit, Michigan

Check a Durango VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Durango model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 73 campaigns on file for Durango model years 1998–2026, and the 2013 and 2014 show up in the most (11 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Dodge Durango owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 1999 (1,967 of 13,854). Tap any bar or generation.

13,854NHTSA complaints, 1998–2026

680mention a crash

367mention a fire

733injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearWD: 4,495 complaints · most for the 2011 (800)

Top complaint areas · WD

Mentions in 4,495 complaints, 2011–2026.

Electrical system1,709

Exterior lighting900

Engine and cooling694

Fuel system428

Seats370

Brakes321

Crashes 162Fires 149Injuries 196

2011–2026 (WD)

NHTSA data summary

The 2011 stands out. On its own it has 800 of the WD’s 4,495 complaints (18%), and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (1,709 mentions), then exterior lighting (900).

What Durango owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2011–present (3rd generation)

Most complaints involve the early years. CarComplaints calls the 2011 and 2012 plagued by a faulty power module, and its top 2011 problem is a failing TIPM that causes no start or hard starts. NHTSA owners of the 2011 report electrical faults, stalling and fuel pump trouble. On the 2014, the leading issue is water getting into the taillights, followed by hard shifts and stalling. Recalls cover alternators on 2011–2014 models, corroded brake boosters on 2011–2014 models and visor lamp wiring on 2011–2013 models. Reports on recent years are few. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the alternator, brake booster and visor wiring recalls on early models.
Ask whether the TIPM or fuel pump relay has been replaced on 2011–2013 models.
On the drive, check that it starts cleanly every time, watch for stalling or warning lights and look inside the taillights for water.

Sources (4) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Durango complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid Durango versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

13,854complaints, 1998–2026

680mention a crash

367mention a fire

733injuries reported

12complaints report a death

Most complaints: 1999 (1,967), 2005 (1,567), 2004 (1,115)

1999 · 1,967 complaints

Crashes 106 · fires 20 · injuries 169 · complaints reporting a death 2

Suspension1,102

Engine and engine cooling281

Electrical system181

Power train181

Service brakes173

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Durango CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 138 Durango versions for model years 1998–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 414 g/mi (2022). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

DN1998–2003

12–15 mpg · CO₂ 592–741 g/mi

HB2004–2009

12–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–741 g/mi

WD2011–2026

13–21 mpg · CO₂ 414–659 g/mi

Model year2025

20combined MPG

439CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,350EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

4/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: RWD · Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L — 20 MPG · 439 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Durango vs Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2004–2009. NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the Durango, against 3 for the Ford Explorer and 18 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Pick a range to compare.

Dodge DurangoWD

Model years 2011–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 40
NHTSA owner complaints: 4,495
EPA combined mpg: 13–21
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.6 L · 8-cyl 5.7, 6.2, 6.4 L
Also listed: supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 1,709
Exterior lighting 900
Engine and cooling 694

Ford Explorer

Model years 2011–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 104
NHTSA owner complaints: 15,165
EPA combined mpg: 18–28
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 2.3 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.3, 3.5 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 3,467
Structure and body 3,187
Engine and cooling 2,218

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Model years 2011–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 81
NHTSA owner complaints: 11,976
EPA combined mpg: 13–25
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.6 L · 8-cyl 5.7, 6.2, 6.4 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel, supercharged, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 4,056
Engine and cooling 2,198
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1,664

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Dodge Durango VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Durango

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Dark blue Dodge Durango (third generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Durango carries its VIN on a plate through the driver's side windshield and on a door jamb sticker, with B-pillar and cargo area secondary labels. The WD generation starts with the 2011 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (B for 2011) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Dodge Durango VIN questions

Which Dodge Durango model years have the most owner complaints?

The 1999 leads with 1,967, ahead of the 2005 (1,567) and 2004 (1,115). Those first two alone make up 26% of the 13,854 Durango complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Dodge Durango had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 73 vehicle campaigns for model years 1998–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, WD leads with 40. Then come the HB (21) and DN (12), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Dodge Durango recalls are high risk?

15V-313, 16V-352 and 16V-947 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-021 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 98V-019, 99V-342, 06V-339, 03V-528, 04V-578, 07V-092, 17V-824, 05V-034 and 5 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 15V-313, 16V-352, 16V-947 and 18V-021. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Durango generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the DN is 1998–2003 and the HB 2004–2009. WD spans 2011–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (B is 2011).

What fuel economy does the Dodge Durango get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2011–2026 WD at 13–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–15 mpg for the 1998–2003 DN (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Dodge Durango compare with the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee on recalls?

For 2011–2026 models the Durango has 40 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Explorer has 104, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 81. Complaints run 4,495, 15,165 and 11,976 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Dodge Durango have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Durango 4 stars overall. Both rated versions, RWD and AWD, get that score.

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