2012 Dodge Durango — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Dodge Durango is an SUV offered with 2 engines (3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) / 19 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 18–23 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Dodge Durango workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Dodge Durango: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 23 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 3.6L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 3.6L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 23 combined / 19 urban / 28 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 19 combined / 16 city / 23 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 291 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2012 Dodge Durango across 2 engines (3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 15 to 19 mpg (US), or 18 to 23 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/23) | 291 | $3,550 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (16/23) | 291 | $3,550 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 15 (13/20) | 368 | $5,050 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/20) | 345 | $4,750 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Dodge Durango
Running Costs: 2012 Dodge Durango
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Dodge Durango at 23 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,581 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Dodge Durango Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Dodge Durango (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Electrical system (6), Service brakes (3), Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Electrical system — campaign 19V813000, reported 14 November 2019. Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Service brakes — campaign 17V572000, reported 18 September 2017. Risk: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Electrical system — campaign 17V435000, reported 10 July 2017. Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Electrical system — campaign 15V879000, reported 28 December 2015. Risk: The vanity lamp wiring may short, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Showing the 4 most recent of 10 campaigns.
Owners have filed 640 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Durango. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (347), Engine (141), Fuel/propulsion system (89). Complaints include 17 reported crashes, 32 reported fires, 16 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 182 complaints across the 16 Dodge Durango model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Dodge Durango
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (6 recall campaigns · 347 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Engine (141 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Brakes (3 recall campaigns · 71 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Fuel system (89 owner complaints) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Dodge Durango compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 23 mpg figure is 4 mpg below that average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 38 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Dodge models in our database average about 25 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Dodge Durango's 23 mpg is 2 mpg below that make average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 22 g/km higher than the 269 g/km Dodge average.
Of the 16 Dodge Durango model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 14th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (23 mpg UK combined, against a high of 25 mpg). See every Dodge Durango year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Dodge Durango
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Dodge Durango have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 Dodge Durango: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 3.6L 6-cyl with a automatic 5-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Dodge Durango?
The most efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, or 19 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 18 to 23 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Dodge Durango cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Dodge Durango (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Electrical system (6), Service brakes (3), Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Durango?
Among the 640 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (347 complaints), Engine (141 complaints), Fuel/propulsion system (89 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Dodge Durango's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.