2018 Dodge Durango: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Used DODGE DURANGO shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Current data includes 225 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2018 Dodge Durango Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2018 Dodge Durango trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2018 Dodge Durango Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2018 Dodge Durango SUV 2WDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
19.8% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
19.8% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Dodge Durango has 225 owner complaints, 9 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Durango
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 225
- Crash-related complaints
- 9
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 17
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 14 / 22
- Fuel type
- Midgrade Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2018 Dodge Durango Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Headlight/Taillight Failures, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Dodge Durango?
This DODGE DURANGO year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Dodge Durango
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Dodge Durango, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The DODGE DURANGO has 225 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. 9 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 5 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 225 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 5 federal recall campaigns
- 9 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
All 2018 Dodge Durango Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Dodge Durango. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 86 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 54 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 32 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 27 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 25 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Dodge Durango. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.
While driving, the passenger front headrest suddenly popped forward hitting the passenger in the back of the head aggressively and unexpectedly. No accident involved or any aggressive braking. The vehicle/headrest is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my passen…
Water in racetrack tailgate taillights
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 st…
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 warrant…
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 later, …
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 a…
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 tapping n…
Manufacturer Recall Number94B NHTSA Recall Number24V-838 Recall has been active but without a solution since 2022 and reopened in 2024.
I currently own a 2018 Dodge Durango SXT, the rear tail lights leak due to a failing gasket causing thousands of dollars of repairs, as well as electrical issues. This defect, that Dodge is aware of and refuses to recall, causes major safety issues such as the whole assembly to b…
Anti lock brakes do not work. First icy conditions it locked up easily. 94B recall was supposed to be "first quarter of 2025"
(Initially) March of 2023 I had an issue with this vehicle 2018 Dodge Durango RT 2wd 5.7L serious electrical problems gauge cluster All lights and warnings indicators showing on Gauge Cluster..failure to start. I had the vehicle Towed to Dodge dealership in Fontana California and…
My front passenger headrest deployed while I was driving with no impact.
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 proble…
While driving on the Thruway, the vehicle tends to misfire which results in lost power to the engine and shaking of the vehicle. The check engine light starts flashing and it becomes unsafe to maintain speeds. The issue was diagnosed as Cylinder 5 Misfire caused by camshaft and l…
The tailgate light has gone out on my 2018 Dodge Durango R/T. Researching online has lead me to discover that this is a known issue that is costing customers thousands of dollars due to a known design flaw. The tailgate light goes out and usually leads to the brake lights and bac…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase on January 10, 2025, the vehicle's mileage was 36,020. After checking the Carfax, the vehi…
My vehicle began to misfire after driving roughly 8 miles, check engine light would flash and ding. After shutting vehicle off for a while and restarting it, problem would be gone until driving approximately 8 miles. Brought to Chrysler service center, where they reproduced the p…
3.6L V6 Engine, Auto Start/Stop light came on followed by check engine light. Codes for multiple misfires, replaced multiple coils and replaced all spark plugs. After all was replaced, still had the same issues. Took it to a local Dodge dealership and they said it was a head gask…
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 wa…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Dodge Durango.
2018 Dodge Durango Recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Dodge Durango. 5 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2018 Dodge Durango Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Dodge Durango reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 225 owner complaints, 9 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. This DODGE DURANGO year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Dodge Durango?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (86 complaints). #2: Headlight/Taillight Failures (54 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (32 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Dodge Durango?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Dodge Durango?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Dodge Durango, NHTSA complaints include 9 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 225 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Dodge Durango have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Dodge Durango. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 5 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Dodge Durango?▾
This DODGE DURANGO year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Durango reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Dodge Durango based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.