The 2018 Dodge Durango lasts around 200,000 miles with some engine stalling and touchscreen freezing issues reported. At $22,025 to $54,550, it’s a decent value for a large SUV with plenty of room for a family and all of their gear.
Is the 2018 Dodge Durango a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Dodge Durango since it has a lot of upscale features paired with powerful engines. Owner reviews praise the passenger room, smooth suspension, along with the reasonable ownership costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are good for an SUV in its price range, the seats are supportive on longer trips, cargo space is also good.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread issues found on the 2018 Durango. Avoid models from 2011–2014 since they have mechanical problems, while 2015–2022 are reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, while the optional V8 engine in the SRT model is powerful for an SUV of its size.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2018 Durango is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera, while optional upgrades include lane departure warning along with adaptive cruise control.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 21 MPG, giving 516 miles of range from the 24.6 gallon tank. Gas costs are $44 cheaper than average at $214 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Dodge Durango is cheaper than many other full size SUVs with average depreciation rates, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Dodge Durango?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Dodge Durango is an impressive example of a refined three-row SUV, with decent owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
- Edmunds rates the Durango at 4.3/5, enjoying the large touchscreen technology interface, but doesn’t like the lackluster fuel economy.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Durango a 4.7/5, praising the available V8 engines, but owners don’t like the smaller cargo space than some competitors.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Dodge Durango Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Dodge Durango include the engine turning off suddenly, a frozen touchscreen, along with some more rare reports of water pump failures. Overall, these problems are similar to some other large full size SUVs on the market, leading to average repair bills as a Durango ages.
The engine turning off suddenly is the most widespread complaint on the 2018 Dodge Durango at around 35,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by the software in the body control module, which may need an update. If the body control module is up to date and failing then you may have to replace it, costing around $800.
A frozen touchscreen has also been reported by some 2018 Durango owners within the first 5,000 miles. There are software updates for the Uconnect software which improves its reliability. Most dealers will install these software updates for free, while others charge around $50 for the labor to update it.
Water pump failures are another problem found on some Durango models, but fortunately they are not as widespread. The water pump simply just wears out and breaks at around 60,000 miles, and has to be replaced. Changing out the water pump is a time-consuming process, costing around $900.
There are four recalls on the 2018 Dodge Durango, which is similar to other full-size SUVs from the same year. The most serious recall is for the voltage regulator, which can cause the vehicle to stall. Dodge will replace the regulators on affected models for free. Other recalls include the transmission park rods, and cruise control software, which Dodge will also fix.
How Long Will the 2018 Dodge Durango Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Durango can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than some of the longest-lasting full-size SUVs like the Toyota Sequoia. Regular annual maintenance costs are average based on data provided by Repair Pal, at $499 per year.
As a used 2018 Durango reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the blower motor resistor for $130, windshield wiper motor costing $270, along with the exhaust manifold which costs $550.
It is been very reliable. We have not experienced any problems with it so far. The only thing I do miss from our prior vehicle is the Durango does not have the stow away seats. The prior vehicle seats folded down and into the floor. The Durango folds down but does not disappear.
Oh yes it has always been a reliable car for me. I have never had any problems with it other than the screen for the radio glitches a few times but other than that it has been a great car.
I have not had any problems to this date with my Durango. She runs fine and has been reliable thus far.
My Durango has been very reliable. No issues or concerns thus far. It only has 9,500 miles on it so it could develop issues yet
The 2018 Dodge Durango is very reliable. I have not had any issues with mine at all. It has run great.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good for a large SUV with a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-.4-inch touchscreen with Uconnect software and a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is fairly basic, only coming with a rearview camera.
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Is the 2018 Dodge Durango a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Dodge Durango is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other full size competitors while offering plenty of features and room. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $22,025 to $54,550, making it less than a Ford Expedition or Chevy Suburban. When new, the price range was $29,995 to $62,995. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Dodge Durango?
There are five main models of the 2018 Dodge Durango offered from the entry-level SXT, the more luxurious Citadel, and the higher performance R/T and SRT. The Durango comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
SXT is the entry-level model with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Load-leveling rear suspension
- Heated mirrors
- Rearview camera
- Keyless ignition and entry
- Three-zone climate control
- 60/40-split folding and reclining second-row seat
- 50/50-split folding third-row seat with power-folding headrests (option to delete the third-row seat)
- Cloth upholstery
- Bluetooth phone connectivity
- 7-inch touchscreen interface
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Dual USB ports
- Six-speaker sound system
GT is a step up, adding:
- 20-inch wheels
- Power liftgate
- Rear parking sensors
- Remote start
- Heated front and second-row seats
- Heated leather wrapped steering wheel
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Leather and suede upholstery
- 115-volt power outlet
- Driver-position memory settings
- Satellite radio
Citadel has more features such as:
- Xenon headlights
- Automatic high beams
- Automatic wipers
- Upgraded brakes
- Front parking sensors
- Roof-rail crossbars
- Sunroof
- Cargo cover
- Upgraded leather upholstery
- Additional leather trim
- Power-adjustable steering column
- Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen interface
- Navigation system
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Ventilated front seats
- Nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and HD radio
R/T is sportier with:
- Upgraded steering system
- Sport-tuned suspension
- Performance hood design
- LED fog lights
- Red accent stitching
- Beats audio system
- Optional 5.7-liter V8
- Optional standard roof rails and sunroof (from Citadel)
SRT is the flagship model which adds:
- Performance-tuned steering
- Adaptive suspension
- Electronically controlled limited-slip differential
- SRT Performance Pages (various configurable performance parameters)
- Driver’s session at the SRT Track Experience driving school
- Optional sunroof
- Available upgraded Laguna leather upholstery
- Optional rear entertainment system
- Available SRT Interior Appearance Group (includes carbon-fiber accents and soft-touch headliner)
Optional Packages
- Anodized Platinum appearance package (for Citadel)
- Technology Group package (for Citadel and R/T)
- Safety/Security and Convenience Group (for GT)
- Brass Monkey appearance package (for GT and R/T)
- Blacktop appearance package (for GT and R/T)
- Mopar Running Board package
- Second-row console with armrest and storage package
- Dual-screen rear entertainment system package (with Blu-ray compatibility)
- Trailer-tow package
What Engines Come In the Dodge Durango?
The 2018 Dodge Durango offers three engine options:
- The base engine is a 3.6L V6 that produces 293 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft of torque at up to 21 MPG. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 6,200 pounds and goes from 0-60 mph in around 7.6 seconds.
- The mid-tier option is a 5.7L V8, delivering 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft of torque, also available with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine’s fuel economy is 17 mpg. It has a higher towing capacity of up to 7,400 pounds and can sprint from 0-60 mph in around 6.2 seconds.
- At the top, there’s a 6.4L V8 found in the SRT model, producing 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft of torque while getting 15 MPG. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission as well. It boasts the maximum towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds and blazes from 0-60 mph in a swift 4.4 seconds.
What Colors Does the Dodge Durango Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Dodge Durango?
The 2018 Dodge Durango is highly regarded for its comfortable and spacious interior, providing a smooth and pleasant ride for all passengers. This SUV is designed to accommodate up to seven people across its three rows of seating. Both the front and middle rows provide generous headroom and legroom, even for taller adults, providing long drives are carried out in comfort. The third row, while best suited for children, is also more accommodating than many competitors in its class, enabling adults to sit reasonably comfortably for shorter trips.
The Durango’s seats are well-bolstered and supportive, designed to prevent fatigue during long journeys. In higher trims, you can find luxurious features such as leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated seats, further elevating the comfort level. There are also second row captain’s chairs offered for extra comfort. The ride quality is smooth and composed, with the Durango’s suspension effectively absorbing most road imperfections. Its cabin is also notably quiet, with minimal intrusion from road and wind noise.
How Much Storage Space Does the Dodge Durango Have?
The 2018 Dodge Durango is known for its roomy and versatile cargo space, perfect for both long family vacations and quick shopping trips. Behind the third row, this SUV offers around 17.2 cubic feet of space. This is enough for daily errands or accommodating smaller items like grocery bags, backpacks, or a small stroller.
When you fold the third row down, the cargo area expands dramatically to about 47.7 cubic feet, enough to carry larger items such as bicycles, camping gear, or a week’s worth of luggage for a family getaway. If you need even more space, folding both the second and third rows flat increases the total cargo capacity to a cavernous 84.5 cubic feet. This can accommodate larger pieces of furniture, several suitcases, or even a kayak. With such impressive cargo space, the 2018 Dodge Durango truly is a capable vehicle for all kinds of hauling needs.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Dodge Durango was launched for the 2011 model year.
2015: Optional red leather upholstery interior, and a Beats by Dre stereo system.
2016: Start-stop added to the V6 engine, sport mode offered on all models too.
2017: GT model introduced to replace Limited, minor interior changes with two-tone leather offered.
2018: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all models, new SRT high-performance model introduced.
2019: Upgraded 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system offered.
2020: No changes from earlier years.
2021: Updated front and rear styling with more aggressive bumper, larger touchscreen, and new SRT Hellcat model.
How Does the Dodge Durango Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Dodge Durango is a decent large SUV compared to the competition, it offers a spacious cabin, good technology, and reasonable reliability ratings as it ages.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a smaller SUV available in the same price range. Performance is better in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the Dodge Durango offers more passenger room. We recommend the Jeep Grand Cherokee for most owners since it’s slightly more reliable, although if you need the extra space, the Durango is a nice choice.
The Ford Explorer is another SUV which is available for around $1,500 less. Reliability ratings are slightly better on the Ford Explorer, while the Dodge Durango has a roomier third row. We recommend the Ford Explorer since the ownership costs are lower with its smaller, and more efficient engine.
Do Owners Recommend the Dodge Durango?
Yes it is. We have really enjoyed the way it handles and the comfort. It has a lot such as seat warmers and steering wheel warmer. There is plenty of room for people and other items.
Yes I love my dodge Durango. The only reason I will ever switch from this car is if you have more kids because the truck part is not big at all when you have 3rd row seating up.
It is a great family vehicle with performance enhancements. It has a sporty look and power like a sports car but plenty of interior room for up to 8 people.
Yes. Of all the cars I've owned it is by far my favorite! It’s spacious, AWD, gets good gas mileage. It’s easy to get my children in and out of. Perfect vehicle for my family!
I think it is because I have had no problems with it yet and the warranty is very good. It gets good gas mileage and is fun to drive.