Last updated: 2026-03-04
Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Dodge Durango
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Dodge Durango and the Toyota Highlander? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Highlander currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 71/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Dodge Durango, scoring 72/100 vs 71/100.
The Toyota Highlander demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 84/100 compared to the Dodge Durango's 74/100. Despite the Highlander's higher recall count of 66 over nine years, it maintains a lower estimated annual repair cost of $489 versus the Durango's $675. Both vehicles have similar owner complaint rates per 10,000 sold, with the Highlander at 5.8 and the Durango at 5.4, but the Highlander’s issues are more varied, including power train and air bags, while the Durango commonly faces electrical and engine problems. Overall, the Highlander offers better reliability, particularly in terms of long-term repair costs.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Highlander costs $186 less per year to repair
- 2Dodge Durango has 39 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Highlander scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Durango | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $675/yr | $489/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 13% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander experiences a higher overall volume of complaints compared to the Dodge Durango, with significant issues in the power train and air bags, the latter having a substantial number of crash-linked complaints (41). In contrast, the Dodge Durango's most prominent issues are with the electrical system and exterior lighting, though neither category has a high incidence of crash-linked complaints. While both vehicles show notable concerns with their power train systems, the Highlander's service brakes and air bags demonstrate more frequent crash associations, suggesting potential safety concerns. The Dodge Durango's complaints are more concentrated in non-safety-critical areas, such as electrical and lighting, indicating different reliability challenges compared to the Highlander.
| Component | Dodge Durango | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 0.5Very Low | 1.5Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.3Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Durango or Toyota Highlander?
How Does Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Durango | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1000R / 5C | 76/1008R / 40C | Dodge Durango |
| 2024 | 78/1000R / 6C | 67/10016R / 198C | Dodge Durango |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 27C | 73/10013R / 140C | Dodge Durango |
| 2022 | 71/1006R / 47C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 65/1007R / 159C | 70/1006R / 403C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 72/1003R / 62C | 71/1008R / 269C | Dodge Durango |
| 2019 | 67/1004R / 128C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 219C | 72/1005R / 242C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2026(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Dodge Durango |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Dodge Durango scored 78/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Durango vs the Toyota Highlander?
Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Durango more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Durango or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) compared to the Dodge Durango (27). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Durango or the Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Durango has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus 5.8 for the Toyota Highlander. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Durango or the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $675/year for the Dodge Durango.
- Is the Dodge Durango or Toyota Highlander safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Toyota Highlander has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Durango. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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