How is the reliability of this gen Durango . Thinking of buying a 3.6 SXT RWD . It will have the Tow package and that's about it as far as options. Looking for a simple reliable vehicle that can tow 5000 lbs . Is everyone "generally" happy with the reliability and what may be the weak spots. I see they have some quirks like having the battery under the seats which seems unnecesary . Also want to verify the stupid stop/start system is able to be turned off . Thanks for any replies .

 

You must be considering a pretty new Durango if you're worried about the auto start/stop. I don't have any help to offer regarding that system and I don't have experience with the 3.6L engine, but I do have experience with towing a 5600lb dry 30' travel trailer with a V8 Durango and depending on what you plan to tow, how heavy it really is, and how often you plan to tow, you may not be happy with the V6 Durango. Do you care to share details of what you plan to tow and how often you plan to tow it?

-Rod

 

Reliability has been fine on both the 2012 V6 and 2015 RT that I own. I would say equal to the Honda Odyssey that my wife drives, or the Nissan Maxima that I had previously. The only issues I've dealt with that I would consider major were a issue with early V6 model cylinder heads that was covered by warranty, and on the v8 model they replaced my water pump at no charge out of warranty.

The Madison WI dealership has a seriously outdated looking service department, but the people there make up for it.

I agree with Rod though, if you plan to tow a 5000 lb trailer for any substantial amount of the time you may want the V8.

 

Yeah it will just be my 18 ft boat , probably 4200 lbs at most . Thats usually only a couple of times a year , less than 50 miles so nothing heavy duty . It tows fine with my 2008 Isuzu Ascender with a 4.2 liter straight 6 at about 290 HP . It is a GMC Envoy with an Isuzu badge on it that GM made for Isuzu . Yeah I heard about the early 3.6 head issues. I have this engine in our 2014 Grand Caravan and the only issue so far has been the famous oil filter cooler failures for the 14 year which happened to me and leaked oil all over . They replaced it under the power train warranty as it had about 60000 miles on it when it happened . Yes Im looking at a new 18 or 19 so the stop start is an issue to me. Hate the stupid system so it has to be at least switchable . I also like the shift lever and not the rotary **** to shift the gears that earlier years had .

 

FWIW, yes, the stop/start has a button that can be turned off.

I tow a 3500 hybrid travel trailer with my 2017 3.6 awd sxt...its completely fine.

 

You get used to the ****. And the paddle shifters are nice for towing if you want to hold gears on inclines. More importantly the tranny in 2014 was vastly improved to the previous version. The difference was night and day.

 

Reliability on my 2012 Crew and 2017 Citadel has been good. A lot of early Gen3s had, in addition to the cylinder head issue, problems with the TIPM but all of that was covered by warranty.
I miss the shift lever also but have learned to live with dial. The auto stop/start thing can be a problem if you don't know you have it. Can you imagine renting a new Durango in NYC in summer with 98 degree temp and humidity and suddenly the AC stops working at a stop light? Yeah, the engineer that though up that one is working for Fiat now. Luckily there is a button on the dash to turn it off but you have to do it each time you start the truck. PITA, but livable.
I also dislike the auto dim headlights but that too can be turned off. But you have to go to the online owner's manual to find out how. It is done through the touch screen and you might find it yourself by bouncing around the screen.
Good luck.

 

seen a couple with rear a/c hose leaks...both fixed under warranty...other than that they are pretty good. If your gonna tow big; get the hemi.

 

Almost 128,000 miles on my 2011 Durango with V-6 and tow package. I am original owner and have had wheel bearings replaced at 90,000 miles and rear main bearing replaced under warranty. Just replaced the front brakes and rears are still original. Other than the recalls and these items, no other issues. I have towed a large boat without issues as well. I plan to keep this vehicle as my second vehicle and replace my wife's Accord with a Pacifica that she wants.