If you’ve been keeping a close eye on Dodge, their recent announcements have taken a toll on enthusiasts. CEO Tim Kuniskis was pretty open about Mopar moving towards a sustainable future; many of their screaming V8s might not be around for long. Before this masterful stroke of V8 emotion bids farewell, Stellantis made sure to plonk the engine in as many cars as they could.

One such effort is the rather inconspicuous Dodge Durango SRT. Although the SRT in its name is a giveaway, the average Joe or Joanne might find the existence of a powerful 392 Hemi under the hood quite surprising. Having a performance V8 in a shell that seats the whole family might seem outrageous. But Dodge clearly positioned the Durango SRT for enthusiasts. More specifically, for irrational dads with a mental age of nine.

Because internal combustion engines are under immense scrutiny, the chances of a fuel-chugging V8 living to see the next decade is slim to none. It’s now or never to get one. But seeing as Dodge isn't the first name that pops up when it comes to reliability, there’s no harm in staying informed about the good, the bad, and the ugly. So if you own a Durango SRT or plan to own one, here’s what you need to know about its common problems and general reliability.

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Here’s A Brief About The Dodge Durango SRT

2022 Dodge Durango SRT Side
Via: Stellantis

In the Stellantis lineup, the Dodge Charger and Challenger handle muscle car duties, while the RAM and Durango take care of the sensible side of things. That is until SRT steps in. Much like its Mopar siblings, folks at SRT have given the Durango the same 392 Hemi with slightly tweaked software and internals. Power figures stand at 475 horses and 470 lb-ft of twist.

The SRT V8 is capable of launching this practical 7-seater to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, while the standing quarter-mile comes in at 12.7 seconds. Top speed of the Dodge Durango SRT 392 is limited to 155 mph, which is marginally lesser than its Stellantis sibling, the Grand Cherokee SRT. However, in terms of towing, the Durango SRT has the Cherokee beat with a maximum rating of 8700 pounds.

All this doesn’t mean the Durango SRT is impractical. As standard, you get the usual U-connect 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Also, part of the package is a stunning 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system along with leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. All this with the practicality of having 7 seats, makes the Dodge Durango SRT one of the easiest cars to get your wife’s approval.

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Is The Dodge Durango SRT A Reliable Family SUV?

2022 Dodge Durango SRT Rear
Via: Stellantis

Truth be told, the Dodge Durango SRT is not the absolute worst when it comes to reliability. But nor is it the best either. Per the NHTSA, the Durango SRT is no stranger to recalls, with MY2021 having five recalls—the highest on record, while the 2018 model gets the most number of complaints—119, as of this writing. It seems a lot of electrical issues are common with the model. Some owners report loss of motive power, while others stand by electrical flaws ranging from random warning lights to several infotainment glitches.

Specific issues with the Durango SRT include fairly high oil temperatures, wind/road noise from the driver's side, and several structural flaws. Things pointed out cover rattling rear driver’s side door, mismatched paint, and panel gaps near the doors, hood, and front quarter panels. Powertrain-related issues like the transmission hesitating to shift have been reported by a few owners. This has led to a recall, citing unintended vehicle movement increasing the risk of a crash. Other recalls cover voltage regulators causing stall, cruise control malfunction, and unintended vehicle rollaway.

2022 Dodge Durango SRT Interior
Via: Stellantis

Per RepairPal, the Dodge Durango scores a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, which ranks it third in full-size SUVs. As for the powertrain, complaints are fairly low in number. You see, the Hemi family is generally very dependable. Importantly though, it’s the 5.7L Hemi that stands out as the most reliable. But, even the performance-centric SRT and Hellcat Hemis are solid, going 100,000 miles and more without serious problems. However, you ought to be aware of the “Hemi tick” that has to do with problematic lifters, valves, or even just bad gasoline. Another common problem with the Hemi engine is the exhaust manifold bolts snapping off. Especially bolts found near the rear two cylinders.

Overall, buying a used Durango SRT is not the end of the world, provided a mechanic checks out the vehicle. You never know what the previous owner has done to the truck. Considering the Durango SRT is a fairly sprightly SUV, chances of complete lunacy cannot be ruled out. But not everyone drives like a maniac. Either way, we still recommend a thorough inspection.

Sources: NHTSA, Repair Pal, Dodge Durango Forum