CarComplaints.com Notes: When the 3rd-generation Durango was introduced in 2011 owners almost immediately started having a wide range of issues -- from water pump failure to stalling engines. Turns out the TIPM is to blame and those problems carried into the 2012 model year.

TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Modules) is responsible for controlling and distributing power to all the vehicle’s electrical functions. So when the TIPM starts acting up, so do all sorts of problems in the vehicle.

The problems have been so bad -- and replacement parts became so hard to find -- that a class-action lawsuit was filed against Chrysler focusing on the 2011-2012 Durango. The lawsuit accuses the automaker of ignorning the problem until it spiraled out of control.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,064 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.

2012 Dodge Durango accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2012 Dodge Durango Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 162024

Durango

  • miles

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

My fairly new teen driver drove the car to the gym and the headrest basically -??exploded-?? onto the back of his head with a swift blow. He had a very bad headache and was really freaked out. There were no lights, no notice, no impact. Just out of the blue drivers side. Called local dealership to see what it could be and apparently the pin can break or the plastic holding the pin and the airbag restraint type system in the headrest will just explode open as if in an accident. He said no recalls and out of warranty. How can this NOT be a serious safety issue"?? My inexperienced teen driver could have been so stunned he caused an accident! Anyways they said it would be roughly $1100 to replace entire headrest because there is no option to repair it once deployed. Can we still drive it" If we don-??t have that $ now

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 232023

Durango

  • miles
Headrest exploded while I was driving. Hit me in the head. Gave me a concussion. Dealership says there is no recall. I have to pay out of pocket. This is a safety feature. I am not paying for the repairs.

- Lago Vista, TX, USA

problem #6

Mar 212023

Durango

  • miles
The truck was in park and idling. We were not moving. There were no abnormal lights on the gage cluster. Out of knowwhere the head rest exploded forward and hit the back of my father-in-laws head. He is OK but it was a hard hit and left him sore. Luckily we were not driving on the freeway.

- Plantersville, TX, USA

problem #5

Feb 012022

Durango

  • miles

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

The headrest deployed under normal driving conditions. A quick google search shows I'm not the only one with this issue. Some have described this issue as the headrest "exploding" since it disengages in a very quick and forceful manner. Some Dodge Durango Models from 2011 - 2018 fall under recall "(X88) Active Head Restraint" but for some reason I'm being told my 2012 Dodge Durango does not fall under this same recall.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 262020

Durango 6-cyl

  • 287,815 miles
As driving down the road my passenger side headrest deployed into the back of my passenger's head. Consumer had a whiplash. Dealer was contacted.

- Gautier, MS, USA

problem #3

Oct 042020

Durango

  • 36,696 miles
The active head restraint on the drivers side of the vehicle deployed while the vehicle was sitting in park in my driveway. We had just started the car when it deployed. Nothing hit the vehicle or made the vehicle move in a none normal way. Thank goodness we weren't in motion when it deployed. This is a very serious safety hazard. The headrest cannot be reset as you can see the internal plastic that was holding it together is broken. I am providing pictures and am happy to provide more if needed.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA

problem #2

Mar 022018

Durango

  • miles
The orc module not working I just driving and the air bag light turn

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #1

Mar 202018

Durango

  • 52,000 miles
I had a passenger sitting in the front passenger seat moving the seat back with power controls and the headrest deployed while I was driving less than 30 mph in a residential area, did not know what it was at first, it was loud popping sound...once I learned what happened I looked up to see how to reset it and attempted so..with no success. The brackets that hold the pin is/was broken. I also learned this is not suppose to happen unless you are hit from behind and it should deploy to avoid whiplash, this was not the case, luckily my passenger was not injured from the headrest deploying prematurely. I contacted the dealer to learn this was not covered under warranty plan I have. The repair cost is $911.85 that I am responsible for, I paid 135 just to have it looked at, which will go towards repairs if fixed within 30days, this cost is not within reach for me. I have also read other Dodge models with the same issue in the past. Please look into this as this is not uncommon but very costly to the car owner. Thank you. Mileage this occurred at 52000

- Nolanville, TX, USA

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