Secondary Air Injection Pump Failure
high- Typically appears
- 60–90k mi
- Estimated repair
- $900 – $1,400
2019 Dodge
DurangoSUV
SUV
The 2019 Dodge Durango is a three-row body-on-frame-inspired unibody SUV built on FCA's LX platform, sharing underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's one of the few SUVs in its class that still offers a V8 engine option — the 5.7L HEMI — alongside the standard 3.6L Pentastar V6. That V8 gives the Durango genuine truck-like towing credentials (up to 7,400 lbs) while still seating up to seven passengers. For families who need real towing capability without buying a pickup truck, the Durango fills a niche almost nothing else does at this price point. The interior is comfortable and reasonably well-appointed for the segment, and the HEMI-powered variants are genuinely fun to drive. The trade-off is fuel economy — the 5.7L returns modest numbers — and a handful of known issues, particularly around the secondary air injection system and transmission shudder. Rust is a legitimate concern in Wisconsin's salt-heavy winters, and electrical gremlins appear often enough to warrant a pre-purchase inspection on used examples.
Reliability
3/5
Verified data
Specs shown for Durango RWD — the most common configuration.
Other trims may vary in engine, drivetrain, or fuel economy. Sign in to see your vehicle's exact specs.
Engine
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Drivetrain
RWD
Fuel
Gasoline
MPG
19 city / 26 hwy / 21 combined
Seats
—
Doors
—
Body
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Length
201.2 inches
Overview
AI-curatedThe 2019 Dodge Durango is a three-row body-on-frame-inspired unibody SUV built on FCA's LX platform, sharing underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's one of the few SUVs in its class that still offers a V8 engine option — the 5.7L HEMI — alongside the standard 3.6L Pentastar V6. That V8 gives the Durango genuine truck-like towing credentials (up to 7,400 lbs) while still seating up to seven passengers. For families who need real towing capability without buying a pickup truck, the Durango fills a niche almost nothing else does at this price point. The interior is comfortable and reasonably well-appointed for the segment, and the HEMI-powered variants are genuinely fun to drive. The trade-off is fuel economy — the 5.7L returns modest numbers — and a handful of known issues, particularly around the secondary air injection system and transmission shudder. Rust is a legitimate concern in Wisconsin's salt-heavy winters, and electrical gremlins appear often enough to warrant a pre-purchase inspection on used examples.
Known for
- 5.7L HEMI V8 power and strong towing capacity
- Three-row seating in a relatively sporty package
- One of the last V8 options in the mid-size SUV segment
- Capable AWD system for winter driving
- Firm, car-like handling for its size
Best for
- Families that tow boats, campers, or trailers regularly
- Buyers who want V8 performance with SUV utility
- Three-row seating needs on a mid-size budget
- Wisconsin winters with AWD equipped trims
Watch for
- Secondary air injection pump failures around 75k miles
- Transmission shudder on 2018–2019 models
- Underbody and frame rust in salt-belt climates
- Electrical/infotainment issues appearing as early as 30k miles
- Fuel costs — the HEMI drinks premium fuel and averages low 20s MPG
Common issues by mileage
6 knownTransmission Shudder (Torque Converter / Fluid Degradation)
medium- Typically appears
- 40–70k mi
- Estimated repair
- $150 – $500
Camshaft Position / VVT Timing Faults (MDS-related oil sludge)
medium- Typically appears
- 80–130k mi
- Estimated repair
- $400 – $1,200
Intake/Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Faults (VVT Solenoids)
medium- Typically appears
- 80–120k mi
- Estimated repair
- $250 – $700
Infotainment / Electrical Gremlins (Uconnect, Power Windows)
medium- Typically appears
- 25–60k mi
- Estimated repair
- $150 – $600
Underbody / Rocker Panel Rust (Salt Belt)
high- Typically appears
- 50k+ mi
- Estimated repair
- $500 – $2,500
Maintenance schedule
- 1 Every 5,000 miles or 6 months — whichever comes first Engine Oil Change
The 5.7L HEMI uses MDS (cylinder deactivation), which puts extra stress on oil. Clean 5W-20 oil at this interval prevents VVT sludge buildup — the root cause of many camshaft timing codes on high-mileage HEMIs.
- 2 Every 40,000–60,000 miles for Wisconsin driving (not the 'lifetime' claim) Transmission Fluid Service (Mopar ATF+4)
Towing, cold starts, and stop-and-go driving degrade ATF+4 faster than the factory interval assumes. Fresh fluid at 40–60k intervals is the single best way to prevent the known shudder issue and extend 8-speed transmission life.
- 3 Every 5 years / 100,000 miles OAT Coolant Flush
The orange OAT coolant loses its corrosion inhibitors over time. A neglected cooling system accelerates water pump and thermostat wear — and sub-zero Wisconsin winters are unforgiving if the coolant is weak.
- 4 Every 30,000 miles Spark Plugs (iridium)
The 5.7L HEMI has 16 plugs (two per cylinder). Worn plugs cause misfires and can trigger MDS-related codes. This is DIY-accessible but plan for a few hours of labor.
- 5 Every 30,000 miles or when visibly dirty Air Filter Inspection / Replacement
Wisconsin gravel roads and winter grit load up air filters faster than the maintenance schedule assumes. A restricted filter hurts fuel economy noticeably on the HEMI.
- 6 Every 2 years Brake Fluid Flush
DOT 3 fluid is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture. In Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycles, water-contaminated brake fluid can cause internal corrosion and reduced braking performance.
- 7 Every 2–3 weeks during winter road salt season (November–April) Undercarriage Wash & Inspection
Lake Geneva roads are heavily salted. The Durango's rocker panels and rear wheel wells are known rust initiation points. Regular undercarriage flushing is cheap insurance against expensive body work.
- 8 Every 30,000–45,000 miles Differential & Transfer Case Fluid (AWD models)
The 75W-85 GL-5 differential fluid thickens in sub-zero temps if degraded. Fresh fluid keeps the AWD system operating smoothly during cold Wisconsin starts.
Always defer to the manufacturer's service manual for warranty-mandated intervals.
Cost of ownership
Annual maintenance
$900 – $1,800
Fuel
At ~17 MPG combined and ~15,000 miles/year, expect roughly $2,200–$2,800/year in fuel at current Midwest prices. Highway driving improves this noticeably; heavy towing or city-only driving will push it higher.
Insurance
Mid-$1,200 to $1,800/year for a typical Wisconsin driver with a clean record on a 2019 model. Higher trims and AWD add slightly to premiums.
The HEMI Durango is not a cheap vehicle to own, but it's not unreasonable either. Routine maintenance runs $900–$1,800/year. The big budget risks are an air injection pump replacement (~$1,000+), a transmission service need, and rust remediation if undercarriage care is neglected. Budget a separate $500–$1,500 repair fund annually on used examples past 70,000 miles.
Seasonal care
Lake Geneva, WI Winter
- Switch to a quality winter wiper blade and top off with a -40°F-rated washer fluid before first freeze — road salt spray in Lake Geneva will exhaust a reservoir fast.
- Test the battery every fall; cold cranking amps drop sharply below 0°F and the HEMI's 7-quart oil fill is hard on a weak battery at startup.
- Use 5W-20 full synthetic (instead of synthetic blend) if you regularly see sub-zero temps — it flows better at cold start and protects MDS components.
- Flush the undercarriage every 2–3 weeks during salt season. Pay special attention to rocker panels, rear wheel wells, and the spare tire area — known rust spots on this platform.
- Check tire pressure weekly in winter; the HEMI Durango loses about 1 PSI per 10°F drop, and under-inflated tires on a nearly 5,000-lb vehicle hurt both handling and fuel economy.
- Inspect brake lines and caliper slide pins in the fall — salt accelerates corrosion and seized slides are a common Wisconsin winter repair.
Summer
- Check coolant concentration before peak summer heat — the 14.7-quart cooling system works hard when towing in July.
- Inspect A/C compressor belt and operation early in spring; the Durango's A/C compressor can fail around 80k miles in warmer-use vehicles and refrigerant leaks get worse with heat soak.
- Tire pressure rises in summer heat — recheck after a few hot days and adjust to door-placard spec to avoid uneven wear on the wide 265-series tires.
- If you tow a boat to Geneva Lake, verify trailer wiring connections and transmission temperature after each long tow — the 8-speed runs hotter under load and benefits from a fresh ATF+4 service before tow season.
Comparable vehicles
2019 Ford
Explorer
Same three-row mid-size SUV segment and price band. The Explorer is lighter and more fuel-efficient but can't match the Durango's V8 towing capacity. Better reliability scores in this generation.
2019 Chevrolet
Traverse
Three-row family hauler at a similar price. More interior room and better fuel economy, but no V8 option and a lower tow rating (5,000 lbs). Stronger reliability record for this generation.
2019 Jeep
Grand Cherokee
Same LX platform, same HEMI engine option, and similar ownership costs. Two rows only, but better off-road capability and slightly better reliability ratings. A natural comparison if the third row isn't needed.
2019 GMC
Acadia
Competes in the same price range with three-row seating. More fuel-efficient and easier to park, but significantly lower tow rating and no V8 option. Good choice if towing isn't a priority.