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 / 42
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,171 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 9 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #324

Sep 162016

Durango 6-cyl

  • 104,295 miles

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

While driving on the highway at 50mph all interior lights started flashing and the heating system turned on unexpectedly. Approximately 1 minute later the car shut off completely. I lost power steering and brakes. I was able to coast the vehicle to a turn lane where the battery completely died so I was not able to turn on my hazard lights. Several vehicles almost collided with my vehicle while I waited for a tow truck. I was towed to the dealer where it was found that my 180 amp alternator (not covered under the other alternator recall) failed which damaged the serpentine belt, idler, and tensioner pulleys, battery, and PCM. All these components needed to be replaced which added up to $2400.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #323

Dec 092016

Durango

  • 87,000 miles
This is the 3rd time since August 2016- so 3 to 4 months timeframe- my Dodge Durango has died on me while driving. This means a complete loss of steering, lights, power, the vehicle is completely dead. This is a safety issue. I can barely make it to the side of the road without crashing. An investigation needs to be opened up regarding this. They have recalls against the alternator but are not honoring them.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #322

Dec 042016

Durango

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle has had campaign 14V530000 (and all other recalls and powertrain tsb's) performed. While driving on highways and rural roads, engine shuts off abruptly, causing loss of steering assist and only a couple brake actuations before brake assist is lost (occurred before tipm campaign, still shuts off after campaign). Typically occurs during coasting or mild braking when preparing to enter a turn (does not matter if right or left turn). No "check engine, " alternator, or other warning lights appear on the dash (as they would if the engine stalled) -- it is as if ignition switch were immediately turned off. Occasionally when engine shuts off, the instrument cluster gives a forward collision warning disabled warning (but the fcw does not beep, alert, signal, etc. Before the engine shuts off, and there was no obstacle to set off or block the fcw). Since engine seems to shut off, there are no codes active or stored after the engine shuts off. Repeated trips to dealership, and they can not diagnose, or cause the issue to occur.

- Flemington, NJ, USA

problem #321

Dec 012016

Durango

  • 88,000 miles

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

Takata recall Thursday I was on my way to work and why I was driving my Durango the battery light came on and everything kept blinking and mess up. Why I was on the highway the truck automatic shut down. I thought it was my battery so 4 people gave a jump. The cables wires start burning melting off. It happen four times. I almost lost my life on the highway. Now they trying to make me come out of pocket for something the factories mess up on. I don't thinks this is fare. The Dodge Durango is dangers. I love the truck but I wouldn't purchase it if I knew it was going to give me problems or kill

- East St. Louis, IL, USA

problem #320

Nov 302016

Durango

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. While the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police and fire report were filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V879000 (electrical system, interior lighting). The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Gorton, CT, USA

problem #319

May 252016

Durango

  • 70,000 miles
My car stalled while driving a couple times. Took it to the shop and found out it was the alternator. I had to have it replaced.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #318

Nov 012016

Durango

  • 100,000 miles

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

On no 1, 2016 when I was going at work, I was driving on West park hwy (houston, tx), and suddenly my car stopped working in the middle of the road, all the system has stopped working, and the front car started smoking (burn, & fire). And I survived by the grace of god. I call the towing services so as to move the car from the hwy to my house. And I can't really tell you what exactly happened. But the constancy is, my car is not drivable until now. And my insurance company sent some expert so as to assess the risk, and they told me what happened is the defect of the constructor (Chrysler group llc), because there are more than 300 hundred cases of complaints similar with my explanations. And from this day to now, I am traumatized by this incident. It is the reason that I am writing to you so as to solve this hazard or main issue. And actually my car is parked at home (15770 bellaire blvd, #2107, houston, TX77083). My insurance claim number is: State farm: 53-0079-5S5. N.B.: I also attached the towing receipt issued by the towing services.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #317

Nov 032016

Durango 6-cyl

  • 75,682 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. While driving, the contact observed an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle and the check engine and battery indicators illuminated. It was diagnosed that the alternator and battery failed. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,682. Updated 01/26/2017 updated 07/06/18

- Windsor, CA, USA

problem #316

Sep 302016

Durango

  • 90,000 miles
Alternator caught fire, stalled engine, and destroyed the computer chip, but manufacturer said it was not there fault.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

problem #315

Nov 052016

Durango

  • 85,000 miles
We were driving down the highway and our battery light turned on I immediately exited and since the dealer I purchased it at was just about a mile away I drove it there as soon as we hit the corner about a block from the dealer my dash started flashing my seat belt warning lights started flashing radio display went out park assist went out windshield wipers came on ac started blowing hot air the dealer said it was my alternator and battery paid 1500 to get it fixed drove it home and 2 hours later went to run some errands and had the same exact problems happened except this time it completely shut down power steering good thing I wasn't on a busy street or it could of been pretty bad had to get my car towed home since dealer was closed now Monday morning service department sent a tow truck for my vehicle let's see how much this costs me now

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #314

Aug 152016

Durango 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles

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

While driving, I experienced a sudden loss of electrical power. I had the car towed to a Dodge dealership where after more than a week I was told that my alternator failed and could not hold a charge, which caused my battery and other components to fail. I discovered that there was a 2011 Dodge Durango recall (# P60 / NHTSA 14V-634) dealing with a sudden loss of power to the alternator. Although, this recall seems to match my vehicle description and problem, I was told by the Chrysler company and the dealership that my VIN number does not match the recall list and there must be no relation. It seems to me that my car's problems matched the recall exactly and based on that recall I should be reimbursed the $2,000 spent on repairs.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

problem #313

Oct 262016

Durango

  • 80,000 miles
Safety issue on my 2011 Dodge Durango. While driving home after work late one night, the Durango started acting up like it was possessed. The lights would go on and off, the wipers went on and wouldn't shut off, seats went back and forth while driving!, radio, heat, ac. I was in traffic and finally managed to move over to a secure location out of harms way no sooner did I pull off the side of the road then the Dodge completely died. I had to coast down a hill. Tried to turn it over and nothing. No lights no radio no nothing. It was dead. Had to have it towed to the dealership. The dealer claimed it was the battery, installed a new one and sent me on my way. Fast forward to less than 2 weeks later- same problem. Driving to drop off my 5 year old and it starts acting up again completely possessed. How is this safe? I made it to work with it going crazy. At lunch, I went to start it and check it out. Dead. Brand new battery dead. 400 bucks down the drain- when that wasn't the problem. Not to mention the 200 bucks to tow. I brought it to a little shop around the corner and they couldn't find the problem and towed it back to the dealer. And there it sits. No one can figure out what is wrong with it over there. It is really pathetic. So now add'L tow charges-$200, no vehicle to get back and forth to work and child's stroke therapists, and had to break down and pay for a rental. What a joke thanks Dodge. They are well aware of the tipm issues and refuse to recall any of their vehicles. This is a huge huge safety issue. Everything just dies.. the engine the brakes don't work nothing.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #312

Oct 132016

Durango

  • 80,000 miles
There is a known recall for the 2011 Dodge Durango with the 160 amp alternator. We have a 180 amp alternator and experienced the exact same problems as the recalled 160 amp. Our vehicle caught fire after a short drive. Chrysler refuses to include the 180 amp alternator into the existing recall. A short internet search will reveal countless other victims.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #311

Oct 152016

Durango

  • 72,000 miles
Upon starting my 2011 Dodge Durango I noticed a whining noise coming from my engine. Drove around the parking lot for another for a minute to see if the noise would stop, I parked the car turned it off and started it again the noise was still there. I drove the car towards my home, the noise stopped about 5 minutes later the battery light came on. I took the car to the nearest auto store for them to test the battery. Upon opening the hood of my car smoke came pouring out with an awful burning smell. I was advised that I was not to drive my car that it was cause more damage due to the alternator being very hot to the touch and smoking. My vehicle was fixed, the problem was the alternator, my vehicle has 72,000 miles. This is the 4th major issue with my vehicle.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #310

Oct 252016

Durango 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
While driving on the NJ turnpike aprox 75mph 10/25/2016 the battery light came on. SUV begin to lose power and tachometer was revving high. Made it to my local tire shop upon pulling there was smoke coming from under the hood. The alternator blew up and a small fire started. Upon replacing the alternator the SUV still will not start.

- Swedesboro, NJ, USA

problem #309

Oct 212016

Durango

  • 59,000 miles
I was at the mall pulled into parking lot smelled a burning smell so I turned off engine and opened hood smoke started coming out no fire though tried to start vehicle again car completely dead. So had car towed of course was in parking structure and structure was so small no tow truck could fit inside so had to call a mobile mechanic to come out and he bypassed something to get car started drove car to outside parking lot so car could be towed. Mechanic said alternator and battery fried. So replaced them. Come to find out that PCM was also fried so need new brain for car! looked on website Dodge/cryseler have recall on alternator....you guessed it not on my vehicle though!! there is a recall on 2011 Dodge Durango alternators but not on mine yet my alternator goes out for no apparent reason!! ridiculous

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #308

Oct 212016

Durango

  • 58,000 miles
Pulled into a shopping mall had a weird burning smell shut off car lifted hood a lot of smoke coming out of engine compartment car completely dead had it towed to shop they inform me that alternator, battery dead. After fixing they find out ECM is fried! now come to find out there's a recall on the alternator! I was just at dealer fixing the fuel thing that was recalled cause car died then too had to have it towed! why didn't dealer fix alternator thing too when I was there now I have to pay $1500 to fix??

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #307

Oct 162016

Durango

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. While driving at approximately 60 mph, the battery warning indicator illuminated and a burning odor entered the vehicle. An excessive amount of smoke emitted from underneath the hood. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. After a while, the contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator caught fire and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Montezuma, NY, USA

problem #306

Oct 142016

Durango

  • 92,650 miles
This morning I started my car as usual to take my kids to school. I got about 1/2 mile from my house and could smell an electrical burning type smell. I pulled over but could see nothing. The car was still running. I proceeded about a mile to the school with the smell still throughout the car. Just before I pulled back to my house going about 35 miles per hour my engine light came on, followed by my battery light. The radio went all haywire as well. I was able to pull up to the front of my house. I shut the car off and had my husband come take a look. He opened the hood and smoke came out. It smelled very hot like there were wires on fire. I tried to start the car again and nothing. I can't even get my key out of the ignition. He touched the alternator and burned himself. I had to call roadside assistance to have it towed to the repair shop. It sat for 2 hours waiting and when the tow driver came he could still smell the burning and when he tried to touch the alternator he still couldn't said it was very hot. He tried to jump the car and sparks came shooting off the battery terminals also. I have noticed many complaints with this same issue and no recall"??? only the 180 amp alternators??" last year my car had to sit for 4 months because of the tipm recall and no parts available. Now this! I am also contacting Dodge/Chrysler to report this issue as it should be a recall on all alternators.

- Saranac Lake, NY, USA

problem #305

Oct 062016

Durango

  • 78,000 miles
Vehicle quit with no warning in the middle of the interstate. No flashers!! could not get car out of gear to neutral in order to move vehicle. No shoulder as it was on an overpass. Had to abandon vehicle in traveled portion of interstate 29. Had some near miss where other drivers had to slam on their brakes leaving tire marks on pavement in order not to hit our car. Husband had to direct morning traffic around car till police could get there. Worried that someone would hit it and get hurt/killed. Husband had no safety gear and was placed in a very unsafe position trying to keep others from hitting our vehicle sitting the traveled portion of an interstate highway.

- Davenport, IA, USA

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