CarComplaints.com Notes: The third generation Durango is plagued by a defective TIPM, particularily in the 2011 and 2012 model years.

TIPM, which stands for Totally Integrated Power Modules, is responsible for controlling and distributing power to all the vehicle’s electrical functions. So when your TIPM goes haywire, bad things start happening. Things like your water pump can stop working, your engine can stall out and your airbags can randomly deploy.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 43
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,607 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Dodge Durango electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 7 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #369

Aug 132017

Durango

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, a load whining noise started coming from the engine compartment. Shortly after, the A/C started blowing hot air. We stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine. When I opened the hood, smoke was coming from the alternator and it was very hot. When I got the vehicle home the battery was drained of electrical power. The alternator was removed and the battery post had a short circuit to ground.

- Chapin, SC, USA

problem #368

Aug 172017

Durango

  • 53,000 miles
I have a 2011 Dodge Durango with 53000 miles on it. The alternator has went out and needs to be replaced. There is a NHTSA campaign number 17V435000 that describes my vehicle perfectly, yet my VIN number is not included. Luckily I got my vehicle in to the dealer before the vehicle shut off during driving on a highway or road. This could have happened. There are a lot of people that have had similar complaints that they have the same make, model, engine, alternator that is in the recall, yet theirs is not included. I really hope Dodge/Chrysler expands this recall because it isn't just limited to the vins that they have notified. The system is definitely more wipespread and can be proven easily by all the complaints similar to mine. I have contact Dodge and they have not been helpful so far. This will end up costing me almost $900 on a part that should be recalled. They need to be held responsible for this.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #367

Aug 132017

Durango

  • 78,000 miles
Driving home from a family trip 220 miles away my 2011 Durango dash lights and gages went haywire flickering on and off, windows would not roll down, ac went out but heat was blowing, loud high pitch sound came from the engine, radio went out, wipers going on full speed and could not turn them off. Finally we lost power steering, parked and the car shook bad as we turned it off. Went to turn on and nothing it wouldn't start. Aaa came out said alternator was toast, replaced that then it said battery was dead, ( couldnt even get the vehicle in neutral to tow), so replaced that. Was able to drive for about 3 miles and it started all over again but this time a bad smell (burning smell) came from under the passengers seat, battery was making a sound and was extremely hot! I had my 3 little kids in the car with me and this thing could have blown so we had it towed! it has 79000 miles on it, never had an issue, and just had the recall done about 2 weeks prior that supposedly prevents this! the dealership has it now. Ive just dumped $700+ and it didnt even fix it! this could have caused a serious accident for my family and others or worse caught on fire with us in it! this was my first Dodge and will be my last especially if Dodge does nothing to fix this!

- Willis, TX, USA

problem #366

Aug 132017

Durango

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise when the ABS warning light illuminated. In addition, all of the warning lights illuminated, the A/C failed then the radio and then the vehicle loss all power. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was not able to restart. An eyewitness (family member) was contacted and able to assist and notice the battery was extremely hot and the power cable to the alternator. The eyewitness disconnected the alternator, replaced the battery, and drove to the contact's home. The dealer (Ram country Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep, located at 36111 us -90, del rio, tx, 78840) was contacted at 888-636-1505 where they advised that the vehicle was not included under the NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical), however that the vehicle could be schedule to be brought in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fees. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the vehicle was not included in the recall, however that she would escalate the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Del Rio, TX, USA

problem #365

Aug 102017

Durango

  • 82,000 miles
When driving my car the alternator failed and started smoking without warning. The car lost all power luckily I was able to cost to safely and get off the road. My problem is I seen a recall for this very issue but my VIN was not in the recall. This is completely unacceptable as my failure was exactly what the recall is for. Not only did my alternator short out and almost catch fire it fried my PCM. Now it sits in the shop and is costing me almost $1500 to fix. How is it ok for them to only recall some cars and mine has the exact same safety recall but my VIN is not covered

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #364

Jul 232017

Durango

  • 55,000 miles
I have different problems, the airbag warning sometime comes on, the car doesn't start sometimes and stall too. The back door open when nobody is in the car. Backup camera doesn't turn on sometimes. The leather cracked in all seats. Last Sunday July, 23 2017 @ 2:00pm got on fire. Total loss of my vehicle.

- San Juan, PR, USA

problem #363

Jul 182017

Durango

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While sitting at a stop light my wife noticed smoke coming out from under the hood, when she pulled over she found the alternator smoking. She immediately shut the car off, but parts of the alternator are burnt. The battery was extremely hot as well telling me it was overcharging.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #362

Jul 102017

Durango

  • miles
Vehicle was parked at work. I got off work came to vehicle entered and started engine after about 1 minute, a buzzing sound came from under the dash, then I began to smell smoke like burning wires or something electrical under the dash. Then I saw smoke coming from the engine compartment (under the vehicles front hood). By this time about 1 minute had passed with the engine idling in park. I opened the hood and looked in to see that the alternator was smoking and red hot inside. I tried to turn off the engine, but no response from the ignition button, then crazy electrical things happened with lights dash wipers and etc., then the engine died, and there was not any power or battery everything was dead. I am glad I was not out on the freeway when this happened, or had the family with me. Vehicle was towed to auburn transmission and auto repair. Ph. (253)737-5913 it is my belief that the alternator went to a dead short and killed the battery so fast, it was amazing to see. I thought there would be some kind of fuseable link to prevent such a thing from occurring. That is a most dangerous design, fire prone.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #361

Jul 132017

Durango

  • 80,000 miles
We were driving our 2011 Dodge Durango to the dealer because the battery light had come on. While waiting in the left turn lane, everything went haywire. Windshield wipers started, lights coming on and off, etc. There was a faint burning odor and the car completely shut down. Couldn't remove key and emergency flashers wouldn't even work! had it towed to the dealer where they confirmed it was the alternator. Also blew battery, engine component and other things. So far, it is not showing up under any recall but hoping.., I have called fac and gave them the information.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #360

Jul 032017

Durango

  • 80,000 miles
On July 3 I was driving our vehicle on a country road when the battery light came on shortly after pulling out of the driveway. We had been on vacation and figured the car had sat for 10 days without being driven and just needed a charge. The light indicator came and went before the car started doing weird things: Hazard lights, windshield wipers, seatbelt light, etc. The car quickly lost power and everything locked up leaving us stranded on the side of a gravel road. We couldn't even release the keys from the ignition. There was a burning smell and the car had to be towed. The alternator went out, in turn burning up the ems system. This part is on national back order. We have been without a car for over two weeks now. The recall for the alternator was for a smaller amp. Ours is a 220amp. They are telling us production of the part may take up to 10-12 more days.

- New Salisbury, IN, USA

problem #359

Jul 122017

Durango

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the interstate, my battery indicator light came on. I immediately exited the highway. Upon doing so, I could smell something burning. I pulled into an auto zone in sallisaw, ok. I asked an employee to test my battery and alternator. When the hood of my 2011 Dodge Durango citadel was lifted, it appears my 220 amp alternator was burning. Smoke was coming from it and it had the smell of something burning. My car shut off. I had to be towed to a Dodge dealership where it was discovered that my alternator did burn and it also fried my battery and the PCM module. All 3 repairs and labor cost me $1,600, not including the towing of my vehicle. After much research, it appears that I'm not he only customer who has experienced this. Unfortunately, the recall is only on the 160 amp. This is safety issue that needs to be checked. The service guys stated that there was a malfunction and that my car could've easily caught fire trapping us in.

- Rydal, GA, USA

problem #358

Jul 112017

Durango

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. While the vehicle was stationary, the alternator caught fire and the contact smelled a burning odor through the air conditioner vents. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to auto-excel in akron, Ohio where it was determined that NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system) was the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Tyrone, PA, USA

problem #357

Jul 062017

Durango

  • 94,000 miles
All gauges radio and lights shut off and engine acted like it was off while accelerating to speed

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #356

Jul 042017

Durango

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. While driving on the highway, the vehicle experienced a loss of power. The battery and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic (dave grimms) where it was diagnosed that the alternator was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and the contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000(electrical system); however, the VIN was not included due to the amp being a 180 not a 160. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- South Connellsville, PA, USA

problem #355

Jun 142017

Durango

  • 118,000 miles
On June 14, 2017 I was driving my 2011 Dodge Durango home from work and the battery light came on while I was on a busy highway. I exited the highway and pulled into a mall parking lot and suddenly the interior temperature of the car became extremely hot, so hot, I could not stay inside of the vehicle. I started to see and smell smoke, so I turned the vehicle off and opened the hood; as I it opened there was a large amount of smoke and I closed it to snuff out any fires. I had the vehicle towed to my mechanic and was told my alternator had gone bad. The explanation I was giving was: The silicone diodes in the alternator rectifier bridge may experience thermal fatigue due to cyclic loading from the electric hydraulic power steering (ehps) system, eventually resulting in no output, reduced output, or a fully shorted to ground condition. These failure modes vary in their time to failure and warning to the driver. Depending on the failure mode and timing, system voltage may drop to critically low levels, disabling systems such as the anti-lock brake system/electronic stability control, engine control module/central body controller, or a total vehicle electrical system shut down (in the event of a short to ground failure mode). I experienced a total system shut down. The alternator not only failed but shorted out my battery, fuses and computer module. I called Dodge corporate and only received an apology.... Dodge has a recall P60 recall which applies to 160amp alternator. This recall was not applicable to my vehicle because it has a 180 or 220 amp alternator but if it is failing like the 160amp alternator then Dodge should be responsible for the defective part.

- California, VA, USA

problem #354

Jun 292017

Durango

  • 69,810 miles
Burning smell coming from front vent area.no warning lights came on, no check engine light, nothing. Car is not heating up..then all of a sudden a poof of white smoke comes out from front dash somewhere? do not know exactly where as I was driving on freeway at the time. It stopped within a few seconds. Got home and button to open garage not working.also bluetooth stopped working. Don't know whats going on but seems to be electrical and unsafe.smells like wires burning

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #353

May 032017

Durango

  • 68,000 miles
May 2017 my daughter was driving her 2011 Dodge Durango with 68K with two kids in the car, the battery light came on and then went completely dead shortly after. We got it to an electrical shop to find the battery was dead and the 180 amp alternator had stopped operating. After some researching I found a recall (P60) and it only applied to 160 amp alternator. I called Chrysler (case #31556595) to see if they could help and was denied. We had to pay for the repair which cost me $400.44. I feel this is a safety issue that should be included in the recall.

- Brockway, PA, USA

problem #352

Jun 252017

Durango

  • 110,000 miles
Several times a week with no specific time of day, heat outside, drive time etc., my 2011 Dodge Durango will act like it will start and it will continue to turn over and over until it finally stops. Eventually after a few tries, it will start. We changed the battery thinking maybe it was that, but nothing...I have read a few "complaints" that have had the same thing and they are saying it is a tipm problem. My vehicle isn't under the recall list, but it is within the year they are recalling it.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #351

Jun 222017

Durango

  • 64,000 miles
My vehicle was in motion on a city street when it completely shut down without warning. The engine stalled and there was no power to the vehicle whatsoever. I was unable to steer, brake, put the car in neutral, roll down windows, unlock doors, or have my hazard lights on. I was blocking traffic and had no way to signal to other drivers that my vehicle was stalled in the middle of the road. After having it towed to the dealer, I was told the alternator shorted out, which in turn fried the battery and powertrain module. The dealer agreed to pay to replace the powertrain module at no cost to me but the remaining repairs cost me $1300. Upon doing some research I discovered that as of October 2014 more than 435,000 vehicles were effected by an alternator recall, including cars the same make, model, and year as my own. I found other complaints online of owners of the same type of car who experienced a similar breakdown while driving and they were told that the repairs would not be covered. I called Chrysler's customer service line and they investigated the issue but refused to pay for the work. Having a car stop driving without warning while in traffic is extremely dangerous. Knowing there are other vehicles out there experiencing the same issue indicates to me that the alternator recall should be extended to include additional cars. I would like to be reimbursed for my expenses and to be sure that other drivers do not experience this dangerous situation that could easily result in a very serious car crash.

- Upper Arlington, OH, USA

problem #350

Jun 232017

Durango

  • 10 miles
On 06/23/17 while driving my 2011 Dodge Durango my battery light came on with in the next mile I turned to pull off of the road to ensure everything was ok my dash lights went haywire and excessive heat started coming out of my vents and a burning smell started the vehicle shut off and would not do anything or restart. My vehicle was towed to the auto repair shop and it has been determined that the battery is dead, the alternator is dead and the PCM is fried..... while do some research I came across a recall the P60 recall for the alternator fir the Dodge Durango years 2011-2014 which would be the same vehicle I have other than the alternator is 160 amps and my Durango has a 220 amp alternator. I believe that this needs to be investigated to include the 220 amp alternator under the same recall as the P60, because the vehicles are the same and it appears that the issue I had is the same as the 160 amp alternator.......

- Chesapeake Beach, MD, USA

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