2018 Dodge Durango maintenance schedule

The 2018 Durango is part of the WD generation (2011-2026), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2018 Durango needs, and when

6 of these 13 items come from Dodge's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Dodge's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide. Rows marked Unverified have no source Carlyle could confirm and are shown for completeness.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Or dictated by Oil Life Monitor

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter

Replace filter

30,000 mi / 2 yearsIndependent
Cabin air filter

Replace filter

20,000 mi / 2 yearsUnverified
Tire rotation

Rotate front to rear

10,000 mi / 1 yearUnverified
Brake fluid

Inspect/Flush

2 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant150,000 mi / 10 yearsUnverified
Transmission fluid

Severe duty/AWD heavy towing replacement

64,000 mi / 5 yearsIndependent
Spark plugs (3.6L, 5.7L)

Replace (dual spark plugs on V8)

100,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs (6.4L)150,000 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt

Inspect and replace accessory drive belt (approx. 150,000 mi benchmark)

Inspect, replace as neededUnverified
Differential and transfer case fluid (AWD)

Front/Rear axles and transfer case (AWD/towing)

60,000 mi / 4 yearsManufacturer
PCV valve

Inspect and replace (approx. 100,000 mi benchmark)

Inspect, replace as neededUnverified
12V battery

Inspect connections

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-20 (3.6) / 5W-20 (5.7) / 0W-40 (6.4/6.2)
Coolant
OAT Purple
Transmission fluid
ATF+4 (5-Spd) / Mopar ZF 8 ATF

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.6L 6-cyl (ERB), 293 hp, 5-Speed Auto / 8-Speed Auto, RWD / AWD
  • 5.7L 8-cyl (EZC), 360 hp, 5-Speed Auto / 8-Speed Auto, RWD / AWD
  • 6.4L 8-cyl (ESG), 475 hp, 8-Speed Auto, AWD
  • 6.2L Supercharged 8-cyl (ESD / ESJ), 710 hp, 8-Speed Auto, AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2018 Durango owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Water Pump Failure

high severity

60,000-110,000 mi · $450-$800 to fix

Coolant leak at front of engine, overheating, whining pulley

Source: repairpal.com

Front/Rear Differential Whine

high severity

80,000-120,000 mi · $1,200-$2,500 to fix

Whining noise at cruising speed, metal shavings in fluid

Source: dodgeforum.com

Pentastar V6 Oil Filter Housing Leak

high severity

50,000-100,000 mi · $400-$800 to fix

Oil pooling in valley, burning smell

Source: au7o.io

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA recalls for the 2018 Dodge Durango

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Dodge dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA 24V838000

November 2024

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.

Remedy: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA 22V426000

June 2022

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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system

NHTSA 18V524000

August 2018

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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system

NHTSA 18V332000

May 2018

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.

Remedy: 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.

Power train

NHTSA 18V280000

May 2018

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.

Remedy: 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.

Other Durango model years

Shopping new? The Dodge Durango guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Durango for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2018 Durango earns before you buy it.

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