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2018 Dodge Durango Maintenance Schedule

Manufacturer-recommended service intervals for the Oil Change Indicator System and open recall alerts for your 2018 Dodge Durango.

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Recalls5Full scheduleKnown issues6

How Dodge schedules service: Oil Change Indicator System

Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

⚠️

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #18V280000 · Jan 5, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #18V332000 · May 17, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Campaign #18V524000 · Sep 8, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Campaign #22V426000 · Sep 6, 2022

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.

Risk: A vehicle that starts and shifts out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside of the vehicle.

Fix: This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 24V838. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. The remedy includes updated HCU/ABS module software that prevents the HCU/ABS module from falsely reading pressure in the primary circuit. FCA has decided to do a two-Phase Campaign remedy schedule. Phase 1 began November 17, 2022. Phase 2 begin date has not been determined yet. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed July 28, 2020. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z48.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Campaign #24V838000 · Jul 11, 2024

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may incorrectly illuminate the brake lights and disable the ABS and electronic stability control (ESC). In addition, the vehicle operator may be able to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.

Risk: A vehicle that can be started and shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle rollaway. Disabled ABS and ESC systems can reduce vehicle handling and control in certain driving situations. Brake lights that incorrectly illuminate can fail to properly indicate the driver's intention to following traffic. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated pressure transducer and update the ABS module software, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 94B. This recall replaces previous recall number 22V-426. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-426 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Recall data refreshed Jul 26, 2026.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

🛢️

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

🔄

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

🛑

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

⚡

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

⚙️

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

🔧

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

💨

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

🔗

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

🌬️

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

🌡️

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

🔋

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Dodge Durango.

🔎

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Active head restraint unexpected deployment

SEATS

21 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2026-06

“Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11737703
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while stopped in a Drive-Thru, there was an abnormally loud sound before the driver’s side head restraint unexpectedly deployed. The contact's head was pushed forward with force and struck the steering wheel. There…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679834
“While stopped at a traffic light, the drivers side front headrest exploded forward hitting my wife in the back of the head. Upon inspection, I noticed part of the plastic hinge inside the headrest had broken or sheared off. Although it did not appear to have caused her personal…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11517079
“The contact's wife owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the headrest deployed inadvertently and struck the contact in the back of the head. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. There was…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487213

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Uconnect touchscreen delamination and ghost touch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

29 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2025-01

“My touchscreen is malfunctioning. It does what it wants when it wants. Example- it makes my headrest flip up and down Turns the radio stations Turns the heat/air on/off Turns the heated/cooling seats on/off Backup camera doesn’t work half the time I backed into a dirt embankment…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11540342
“radio and navigation screen, is ghost touching. Just changes settings randomly and often.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11462569
“The touchscreen continuously freezes and displays a prompt about adjusting the clock settings. The screen pops up repeatedly and beeps making the rest of the touchscreen functions unusable.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11461355
“The 8.4 inch Uconnect screen has a well know delamination issue. It usually starts at the top of the screen and the delamination rapidly spreads. As it spreads, the touch screen can intermittently press buttons on the screen by itself. It can select any setting/function on the…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11428869

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Racetrack taillight water intrusion

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

46 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2026-04

“The rear race track rail has water build up at the bottom of it and it fried the lights so they don’t work anymore.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11651569
“Tail lights fill with water. This caused a safety risk both of electrical fire and lights failing and increasing risk of an accident when due to not being visible from behind. This is a known issue with Dodge Durangos from 2016 to 2020. There are class action lawsuits and…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512195
“THE RACETRACK LIGHT BAR (ATTACHED TO THE DECK LID) HAS GOTTEN WATER INSIDE IT, (IT WAS THIS WAY WHEN I BOUGHT IT) AND NOW THE LIGHT IS NO LONGER WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE DODGE DURANGO, AS I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11405966
“THE REAR TAIL-LIGHT SYSTEM (COVERS ENTIRE REAR OF CAR) ON MY DODGE DURANGO STARTED TO LEAK DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL AND THE TAILLIGHT SYSTEM BURNED OUT IN VARIOUS SPOTS. ONCE OUT IT BECOMES MUCH HARDER TO SEE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THIS…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11279390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Camshaft, lifter, and head gasket failure

ENGINE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2026-03

“Over time, the valvetrain in my engine became gradually louder. Because there were no check engine lights or fault codes, I initially assumed this was a normal characteristic of the engine. That changed on January 2, 2026, when I began to hear a pronounced knocking/loud tapping…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11710625
“While driving on the Thruway, the vehicle tends to misfire which results in lost power to the engine and shaking of the vehicle. The check engine light starts flashing and it becomes unsafe to maintain speeds. The issue was diagnosed as Cylinder 5 Misfire caused by camshaft and…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11697385
“My vehicle began to misfire after driving roughly 8 miles, check engine light would flash and ding. After shutting vehicle off for a while and restarting it, problem would be gone until driving approximately 8 miles. Brought to Chrysler service center, where they reproduced the…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11684742
“2018 Dodge Durango GT with 47,000. The check engine light came on. Took it to a Dodge dealer for service. Diagnosis was head gasket failure, allowing coolant into the cylinder causing engine misfire and potential overheat and a blown engine. This appears to be an ongoing issue…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11669729

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

HCU/ABS module recall repair issues

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

14 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2026-01

“Anti lock brakes do not work. First icy conditions it locked up easily. 94B recall was supposed to be "first quarter of 2025"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701740
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V83800(Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the brake lights were illuminated. The contact stated that…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11666560
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with HECU failure. The contact was informed that the…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11616386
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle that was 20 feet away from his vehicle stopped. The contact depressed the brake pedal but it failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of the other vehicle. The air…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11488272

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system stall and no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The electronic stability control(ESC) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. However, on other occasions, when the vehicle…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11728001
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM needed to…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675705
“Engine shuts off randomly by itself. Could be hazardous when it happens while driving on Highways. Vehicle must be stopped and placed in park to restart.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11591217

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

  • 2015 Dodge Durango →
  • 2016 Dodge Durango →
  • 2017 Dodge Durango →
  • 2019 Dodge Durango →
  • 2020 Dodge Durango →
  • 2021 Dodge Durango →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Jul 27, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Jul 27, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Dodge Durango reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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