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.
This is the second time I have had the alternator replaced on this vehicle in 1.5 years. The first time (2015) there were no parts available in the US. My mechanic finally found a refurbished one in Chicago. The cost was $500 then. Now, though there has still not been a recall on the vehicle (many for this model year, but for whatever reason not my VIN), I was stranded yesterday when the car completely shut down while driving. Luckily I had enough forward momentum to pull off a major road onto a side street. Although I was still in the middle of the road, the traffic was less intense. I could not get the car to even go into neutral and had to find the override release, instructions for which were luckily in the manual. When my husband arrived to assist, he tried to jump the car, hoping to get enough juice to at least allow the transmission to shift. While the cables were attached to his battery, the dashboard lit up, but the ignition would not even "click" when trying to start, nor would any other power items even flicker.
I can't fathom that going through two alternators in 102,000 miles is even remotely normal. The cost to fix this time is just under $1,000; Chrysler will no longer allow the use of refurbished alternators by certified mechanics, which I find ironic since that was the ONLY part available last go around.
Unfortunately, aside from this recurring issue, I LOVE my Durango and was considering upgrading to a newer model (I have a newer job and have put a lot more miles on mine than I anticipated when I purchased it). I am not so sure that I will purchase another now. The performance problem does not bother me nearly as much as the fact that the issue is not recognized by the manufacturer as being an issue.
Not only was I informed that the alternator should not have gone out on a vehicle less than 3 years old, there were literally no parts available to make the repair. My mechanic was fortunate to track down a refurbished part at a dealership in Chicago. No new parts were even being manufactured. There had been a recall, but of course, my VIN was not included.
Had fuel pump relay bypass done by dealer 2 months ago, problems have popped back up. Already joined class action suit, hopefully Chrysler will fix this before someone dies.
THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME TWICE THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH SPEED OF 60 KM/H AND THE CAR DID NOT START UNTIL I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARKING. AFTER THAT I WENT TO THE SERVICES THEY SAID JUST RE-SOFTWARE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN OR NOT AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO START THE CAR IF NOT RE-STARTED IN N MODE. I REMOVED THE PUSH BUTTON AND I USED THE CAR KEY IN CASE OF RE-HAPPENING AGAIN THE CUT OFF. LATER ON WHILE I AM DRIVING WITH 150 KM/H THE ENGINE CUT OFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING PUT I IMMEDIATELY RESTART IT BY THE CAR KEY IN N MODE. I WENT TO THE SERVICE AND DECIDE TO CHANGE PART CALLED COMPUTER BOX HAS SHORT CIRCUIT OF POWER AS THEY EXPLAINED TO ME.
- Sami Z.,
Yanbu Industrial City, Medina/Weasteren, Saudi Arabia
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is the second time I have had the alternator replaced on this vehicle in 1.5 years. The first time (2015) there were no parts available in the US. My mechanic finally found a refurbished one in Chicago. The cost was $500 then. Now, though there has still not been a recall on the vehicle (many for this model year, but for whatever reason not my VIN), I was stranded yesterday when the car completely shut down while driving. Luckily I had enough forward momentum to pull off a major road onto a side street. Although I was still in the middle of the road, the traffic was less intense. I could not get the car to even go into neutral and had to find the override release, instructions for which were luckily in the manual. When my husband arrived to assist, he tried to jump the car, hoping to get enough juice to at least allow the transmission to shift. While the cables were attached to his battery, the dashboard lit up, but the ignition would not even "click" when trying to start, nor would any other power items even flicker.
I can't fathom that going through two alternators in 102,000 miles is even remotely normal. The cost to fix this time is just under $1,000; Chrysler will no longer allow the use of refurbished alternators by certified mechanics, which I find ironic since that was the ONLY part available last go around.
Unfortunately, aside from this recurring issue, I LOVE my Durango and was considering upgrading to a newer model (I have a newer job and have put a lot more miles on mine than I anticipated when I purchased it). I am not so sure that I will purchase another now. The performance problem does not bother me nearly as much as the fact that the issue is not recognized by the manufacturer as being an issue.
- Andrea K., Grand Ledge, MI, US