Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Durango, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 20 | 21% |
| Fuel system | 19 | 20% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 15% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
the seatbelt was pulled to fasten and it just kept coming out and finally locked and will not recoil so passenger seat belt is inoperable
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
Alternator having to replace. There is a ticking sound that has been going on and the alternator goes out. I have replaced this part twice and each time before it goes out it starts to tick. Also have a brand new battery
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Was sold car today that mileage was non actual and wasn’t told and this is illegal [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint: Structure
My Car started smoking from under the hood and coming through the vents . It over heated . So then I opened up the hood and smoke with you coming out a bit crazy then something food from the engine like to hit me in the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT HAS NEVER BEEN TOUCHED IT IS ALL FACTORY ORIGINAL AND I FOUND TWO OTHER HOSES OFF TO BOTH HAD NO CLAMPS ON IT FROM THE FACTORY THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
EVERY TIME THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO 3/4 OR MORE THERE IS ALWAYS A BACK SPLASH OF ABOUT 2-3 CUPS OF FUEL. IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING LONG COULD RUN DOWN SIDE OF VEHICLE AND IGNITE ON HOT EXHAUST PIPES.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
WHILE DRIVING ALL ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE, STEERING SHUT DOWN WITH NO NOTICE....NO LIGHTS OR STEERING WHILE IN THE DARK WILL GET ME KILLED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE DURANGO. UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRENCHED AFTER IT RAINED OVERNIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE S
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Durango. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rup
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 20 of them (21%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.