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2012 Dodge Durango Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Jul 3, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 637 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
12

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Dodge Durango submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jul 3, 2024

SRS System light came on. Air bags will not work when this light is on. Safety hazard.

NHTSA ID
11598671
Incident
Jun 28, 2024
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 16, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11572408
Incident
Feb 16, 2024
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Sep 27, 2023
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11546793
Incident
Sep 23, 2023
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Aug 9, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11478415
Incident
Feb 1, 2022
Airbags
Filed Dec 2, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

Hard, front collision with deer, spun several times before rolling over a couple times down a small hill. Side air bags deployed but front did not deploy resulting in severer and additional driver injuries including but not limited to chest contusions, spleen hematoma and concussion. He was hospitalized and has a long road ahead. Car was totaled and towed. Insurance company has it now. They and responders are aware front air bags did not deploy. Consumer stated husband had severe injuries.

NHTSA ID
11442451
Incident
Nov 21, 2021
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 6, 2021
Fire reported

A FIRE STARTED IN THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARGE AND TURNED OFF. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID
11406773
Incident
Apr 3, 2021
Mileage
107,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 8, 2020
Crash reported5 injuries reported

ON NOV 28 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MY 2012 DODGE DURANGO. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A DRY 2 WAY ROAD, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD ENOUGH TO FLIP THE OTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE THEIR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY BUT THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED ME AND MY PASSENGER TO HAVE NO PROTECTION, OTHER THAN THE SAFETY RESTRAINTS. BOTH HAVE SUFFERED HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. IN THIS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FRONT END DAMAGE, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR OR IF MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN APART OF THE AIR BAG RECALL LIST, LIKE MY 2 OTHERS. BUT LIVES WERE AT STAKE AND COULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *TR

NHTSA ID
11378468
Incident
Nov 28, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 15, 2020

WAS SITTING IN CAR PARKED AN AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES ON AND OFF WHILE DINGING. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328938
Incident
Jun 14, 2020
Mileage
134,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP, AS A RESULT THE DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE IN TIME TO AFFORD A REAR END COLLISION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CAUSING THE DRIVER TO RECEIVE CHEST CONTUSION WHILE THE CONTACT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTREME FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. *LN

NHTSA ID
11317778
Incident
Mar 5, 2020
Mileage
155,000 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsVisibility
Filed Oct 27, 2019

I WAS DRIVING MY DURANGO AND MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT KEPT BEEPING THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW I'M HEARING A THUMP UNDER THE CAR ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I ALSO TRIED DRIVING UP TO 70 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD THIS HEAVY SHAKE I WAS TERRIFIED CAN YOU HELP ME FIX MY 2012 DODGE DURANGO .

NHTSA ID
11271417
Incident
Oct 24, 2019
Airbags
Filed Sep 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS RESET, BUT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF SCHMITT CHEVROLET NORTH (1001 N BROAD ST, FAIRBORN, OH 45324, (937) 343-5402) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DODGE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. LEBANON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE & RAM OF OHIO (518 W MAIN ST, LEBANON, OH 45036, (513) 932-2717) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
11252915
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
129,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2018

SECOND ISSUE WITH AIR BAG. GOT 2012 DURANGO IN JAN 2013 - IN 2014 HAD TO PAY $635 TO FIX ANGLE SENSOR IN STEERING COLUMN AS IT WAS FAULTY. IT WAS NOT COVERED NOR RECALL. NOW DECEMBER 2018 NEED TO REPLACE AIR BAG AND WIRING. NO RECALL. HOW ARE THESE ITEM NOT SAFETY ISSUES AND RECALLED. EXTREMELY UPSET WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CORPORATE. THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLES SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW.... WE PURCHASE NEW ONLY TO AVOID ISSUES BUT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE!

NHTSA ID
11155694
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Mileage
1,500,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (CROWN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM FIAT, 2707 SHORTCUT RD, PASCAGOULA, MS 39567, (228) 769-1660) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11142170
Incident
Oct 15, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jun 13, 2018

SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018, MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE INTERMITTENT AND ANNOYING 'DING' TO SIGNAL AN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING FINE WHEN I PARKED IT THE NIGHT BEFORE WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. LIGHT WILL PERIODICALLY GO OUT BRIEFLY AND THEN COME BACK ON WITH THE 'DING.' I WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS LIGHT COMING ON. PREVIOUSLY, IT WAS 'TAKEN CARE OF' WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL WORK.

NHTSA ID
11101615
Incident
Jun 3, 2018
Mileage
74,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 16, 2018

2012 DURANGO SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIRBAGS) LIGHT STUCK ON. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS, WHILE DODGE SAYS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY UPON THE LIGHT COMING ON, WHAT HAPPENS IF IMMEDIATE SERVICING IS NOT POSSIBLE? ARE THE BAGS GOING TO DEPLOY AT ANY TIME? WILL THEY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD? AS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE, IS ONE BAG MORE AFFECTED THAN ANOTHER? HELP NHTSA! AIRBAG SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO FAIL IN ANY WAY. MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! THE OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE SOUND HORRIFYING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM!

NHTSA ID
11088515
Incident
Apr 16, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 2018

AT LESS THAN 73,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND JUST SIX YEARS OLD THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND ON. THE LIGHT WILL BLINK ON AND OFF AT ALL TIMES THEN WILL GO OFF FOR WEEKS THEN COME BACK ON AND STAY ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST GET FIXED BY MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID
11074078
Incident
Dec 1, 2017
Mileage
72,568 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 21, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE, INTO AN EMBANKMENT, WENT AIRBORNE, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH FORCE, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK IN TWO PLACES AND A RUPTURED LEFT BREAST IMPLANT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO A FACILITY AND A YARD, BUT WAS NOT INVESTIGATED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V115000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 17V572000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE CRASH TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET ISSUED ANY TSBS OR RECALLS FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000. *BF *TR *BF *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11074029
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
186,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 1, 2017
Fire reported

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED BATTERY. RESUMED TRIP, STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. BLUETOOTH TURNED OFF, RADIO SHUT OFF, A/C SHUT OFF (ALL AS I'M TRYING TO GET OFF HIGHWAY), SMOKE BEGINS POURING OUT OF AIR VENTS, EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF. HAD TO GET VEHICLE TOWED. IT IS SITTING, AS I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF IT IS INCLUDED IN T36 RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11012217
Incident
Jul 27, 2017
Mileage
62,070 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 29, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD POSSIBLY ASSIST WITH THE COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,044.

NHTSA ID
10969412
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
56,044 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 30, 2016

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS ALONG WITH AUDIBLE ALARM FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT THEN IT WENT OFF.

NHTSA ID
10899406
Incident
Jul 22, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 10, 2016

MY 2012 DODGE DURANGO HAS FAULTY WIRING THAT IS CAUSING MY AIR BAGS TO NOT WORK. IF THE FAULTY WIRING IS NOT REPLACED THEN THE AIRBAGS CAN EXPLODE AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE A 100 MILE WARRANTY AND DODGE IS SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE FAULTY WIRING THAT THEY INSTALLED. IT WILL COST $1300 TO HAVE THE DEFECT FIXED.

NHTSA ID
10825486
Incident
Feb 9, 2016
Mileage
63,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TAIL AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING AND THE RADIO SCREEN FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V115000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10795064
Incident
Apr 30, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. WITHOUT WARNING, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V115000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ID
10743741
Incident
Jul 25, 2015
Mileage
18,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jan 8, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TREES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V1540000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID
10671125
Incident
Jan 6, 2015
Mileage
25,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 16, 2014

CAR BATTERY IS DEAD, BATTERY IS FINE, POSSIBLE FAULTY TIPM.L *TR

NHTSA ID
10648214
Incident
Oct 16, 2014
Mileage
48,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .