NHTSA has received 73 owner complaints about the 2020 Dodge Durango, or 10.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.26, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #21 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Dodge models its rate is 15% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 79% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2020-05-01 and 2026-08-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.
73Complaints
10.9Complaints per year on the road
0.26Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
11.0%Share involving a crash or fire
19Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 18.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 35.1 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 9 complaints, 84% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Lighting (23.3% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (15.1%) and Engine (12.3%). Lighting complaints are 14.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Lighting reports, owners most often mention “water”, “racetrack”, “taillight”, “plate light” and “license plate”. 8 reports (11.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 9 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 48 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (37% of incidents). In the last 12 months 19 new complaints were filed, versus 16 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year. 22% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment” (opened 2019-09-09, closed 2026-02-25).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.26
vs. other Dodge models0.85
vs. other 2020 models0.29
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.21
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (9)0.16
My 2020 Dodge Durango experienced a severe interior dashboard fire that appeared to originate in the center dash/radio area while the vehicle was parkedin driveway.
Electrical · 2026-05-11 · ODI 11737084 · Fire
While driving normally, not in an accident, the active head restraint system failed and slammed into my head. If there was traffic this would have likely caused an accident because it was unexpected, severe, and abrupt while leaving me disoriented and with a…
Other · 2026-04-30 · ODI 11734978
My entire lighting system in back of truck stopped working. The racetrack lighting system. The license plate lights done. I cannot drive the car at night because I will get pulled over. Dodge saying it is not covered under the extended warranty I purchased.
Electrical · 2026-08-02 · ODI 11754292
The automatic transmission failed while driving, causing a loss of propulsion and leaving the vehicle stranded. This created a safety hazard because the vehicle could no longer accelerate or move out of traffic.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-06-30 · ODI 11747319
Tail light not working, was replaced, replacement also malfunctioning.
Lighting · 2026-05-08 · ODI 11736626
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS Campaign 21V280000 · 2021-04-22
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing.
Risk: A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten or replace the fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent on May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y16.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 20V191000 · 2020-09-10 · Over-the-air fix
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
PE19014 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · Opened 2019-09-09 · Closed 2026-02-25 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
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
How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Dodge Durango?
73 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Dodge Durango, or about 10.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Dodge Durango?
The most common category is Lighting, accounting for 23.3% of complaints.
Does the 2020 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment” (opened 2019-09-09, closed 2026-02-25).
Is the 2020 Dodge Durango still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 19 new complaints were filed, versus 16 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2020 Dodge Durango compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 73 owner complaints about the 2020 Dodge Durango, or 10.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.26, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #21 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Dodge models its rate is 15% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 79% lower.