Dodge Durango problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 752 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls for the Dodge Durango. That averages 15.2 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.36 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Dodge Durango has logged 752 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls, averaging 15.2 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.36 against all tracked vehicles. While the 2021 model year shows the highest rate with 35.1 complaints per year and models from 2018 and 2021 run at least 50% above the average, the 2024 model sits well below the model's own average. The most common problem areas are Lighting at 24.6% of complaints, followed by Electrical at 23.9% and Engine at 14.2%, with recurring terms including "racetrack", "water", and "tail". Owners report 30 injuries and 0 deaths across all model years, while the latest open investigation covers a "Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture" opened on 2021-09-17.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 79% below the 2018 and 2019 models (6 early complaints per model year versus 31).
The 2021 model year has the highest rate (35.1 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (4.2). Model years 2018 and 2021 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. The 2024 model year sits well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Lighting (24.6% of complaints), followed by Electrical (23.9%) and Engine (14.2%). Lighting complaints are 15.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “racetrack”, “water”, “daytime running”, “running light” and “tail”. 41 complaints (5.5%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 30 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 182 complaints versus 160 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2021 model year generated the most recent reports (67). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 45 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 18 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2022 (5), 2 fixable over the air. 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture” (opened 2021-09-17, still open).
It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Midsize SUVs, including Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Sorento and Ford Edge.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Years to research carefully | 229 | 26.4 | 0.63 | 41 | 0.46 | 21 | 5 | Electrical | View › |
| 2019 | 140 | 18.2 | 0.43 | 21 | 0.26 | 22 | 4 | Lighting | View › |
| 2020 | 73 | 10.9 | 0.26 | 9 | 0.16 | 19 | 2 | Lighting | View › |
| 2021 Years to research carefully | 199 | 35.1 | 0.83 | 29 | 0.47 | 67 | 8 | Lighting | View › |
| 2022 | 56 | 12.0 | 0.29 | 9 | 0.12 | 20 | 7 | Lighting | View › |
| 2023 | 35 | 9.5 | 0.23 | 7 | 0.08 | 19 | 2 | Lighting | View › |
| 2024 | 13 | 4.9 | 0.12 | 5 | 0.07 | 9 | 0 | Engine | View › |
| 2025 Fewest complaints | 7 | 4.2 | 0.1 | — | — | 5 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 182 · Previous 12 months: 160 Steady
Problem areas
Lighting ›
185 · 24.6% · 15.74 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- water72
- racetrack34
- daytime running37
- running light33
Interior & equipment ›
48 · 6.4% · 0.71 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- spoiler4
- weather alerts3
- screen11
- uconnect4
Transmission / powertrain ›
43 · 5.7% · 0.49 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- transmission22
- grand caravan4
- shifter8
- neutral9
Body & structure
32 · 4.3% · 0.46 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- spoiler12
- detached8
- rear16
- gate5
Airbags & seat belts
30 · 4.0% · 1.04 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- air14
- deploy10
- headrest6
- bags10
Other
24 · 3.2% · 1.76 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headrest18
- deployed12
- restraint7
- passenger12
Fuel system
21 · 2.8% · 0.65 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- pump13
- fuel14
- nozzle4
- tank6
Wheels, tires & suspension
15 · 2.0% · 0.8 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire8
- worn4
- alignment3
- wear3
Steering
13 · 1.7% · 0.27 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- power steering8
- steering unavailable4
- rack6
- electric steering3
Driver-assist systems
5 · 0.7% · 0.12 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- racetrack54
- water123
- daytime running48
- running light42
- tail53
- led67
- drl32
- headlight52
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 45 months
What owners report
I own a 2022 Dodge Durango. During normal loading and unloading of cargo with the liftgate open, I have sustained three separate lacerations to my forearm and wrist from the exposed, sharp inside corners of the rear taillight assemblies.
The vehicle had been parked and unused for approximately 24 hours. We drove it home after staying elsewhere overnight and arrived home about one hour before the incident.
The radio displays Uconnect box requires service, please visit an authorized dealer. When that happens you cannot use the safety call 911 button, if you are using your phone for navigation, you will not be able to see it.
The driver side daytime running lamp no longer works after 55000 miles. The daytime running lamp (DRL) is an led light strip that requires the entire headlamp to be replaced. Anyone can inspect the issue at any time.
The vehicle’s manufacturer-installed infotainment system repeatedly displays an intrusive error message while the vehicle is being operated.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Durango | 752 | 15.2 | 0.36 | Improving | Steady | 18 | Lighting |
| 2 | Honda Passport | 652 | 17.6 | 0.42 | Improving | Rising | 16 | Engine |
| 3 | Nissan Pathfinder | 566 | 20.1 | 0.48 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 4 | Kia Sorento | 1,382 | 36.2 | 0.86 | Stable | Rising | 17 | Engine |
| 5 | Ford Edge | 2,164 | 43.6 | 1.04 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 6 | Chevrolet Traverse | 1,657 | 43.8 | 1.04 | Stable | Steady | 13 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Toyota Highlander | 2,062 | 44.5 | 1.06 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 1,968 | 58.3 | 1.38 | Worsening | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | 3,122 | 65.6 | 1.56 | Improving | Steady | 70 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 10 | Honda Pilot | 2,824 | 67.4 | 1.6 | Stable | Steady | 26 | Engine |
| 11 | Kia Telluride | 1,945 | 73.6 | 1.75 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Body & structure |
| 12 | Subaru Outback | 3,749 | 77.0 | 1.83 | Improving | Steady | 15 | Body & structure |
| 13 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 3,335 | 85.9 | 2.04 | Worsening | Rising | 49 | Electrical |
| 14 | Hyundai Palisade | 2,277 | 102.2 | 2.43 | Worsening | Steady | 13 | Airbags & seat belts |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 18
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 2
Safety recalls: 2018 (5) · 2019 (4) · 2020 (2) · 2021 (8) · 2022 (7) · 2023 (2) · 2024 (0) · 2025 (0)
Investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt…
- Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small …
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Durango model year has the most complaints?
The 2021 model year has the highest rate (35.1 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (4.2).
Is the Dodge Durango getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 79% below the 2018 and 2019 models (6 early complaints per model year versus 31). In the last 12 months owners filed 182 complaints versus 160 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Dodge Durango problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Lighting (24.6% of complaints), followed by Electrical (23.9%) and Engine (14.2%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “racetrack”, “water”, “daytime running”, “running light” and “tail”.
How does the Dodge Durango compare with other Midsize SUVs?
Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1. It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Midsize SUVs, including Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Sorento and Ford Edge.
Does the Dodge Durango have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 18 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2022 (5), 2 fixable over the air. 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture” (opened 2021-09-17, still open).