Dodge Durango Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Dodge Durango options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Dodge Durango you plan to buy.
DODGE DURANGO (2017-2026) has 908 NHTSA complaints and 27 recalls. Exterior lighting leads with 309 complaints, electrical system with 254. The 2018 model year has the most complaints at 226. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Durango
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 908
- Safety recall campaigns
- 27
- Crash-related complaints
- 35
- Fire-related complaints
- 11
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (226 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (6 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Reliability signal
- Average
Dodge Durango: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017-2026 Dodge Durango has 908 total complaints and 27 recalls. Exterior lighting leads with 309 complaints, followed by electrical system with 254. The 2018 model year has the most complaints at 226. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Exterior lighting accounts for 309 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Electrical system complaints total 254, the second most common issue.
- The 2018 model year has 226 complaints, the most of any year analyzed.
- Exterior lighting failures reported in 309 complaints.
- Electrical system issues in 254 complaints.
- Air bag concerns in 36 complaints.
The 2018 model year has the most complaints (226), driven largely by exterior lighting and electrical system issues. 2017 follows with 209 complaints.
The 2024-2026 model years have the fewest complaints (8, 7, 6 respectively), suggesting improved reliability, though sample sizes are small.
- Verify air bag recall status and ensure all recalls are completed.
- Check all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for exterior lighting and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
27 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 908 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
908 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I was dive down the road and it sound like a gun go off I seen the right side air bag was out and that scared me I did not comperhend what had hppen and I end up sliding down a ditch in bake ment
I have a 2023 Dodge Durango GT. I have noticed that every so often I get an error message that pops up on my radio that says “UConnect box need service contact an authorized dealer”. I’ve taken it in and had the radio flashed and it keeps coming back. Everytime it comes on is disables my SOS and makes it non functional as well as it disables my other SiriusXM Guardian features. I find this to be an extreme safety concern as it disables the SOS feature to contact emergency services incase of an accident. Seems to be an ongoing issue with Durango models.
Front right turn signal went out after three years and I’m told I need to replace the entire light which is $1400 by itself. These led lights are supposed to last a long time.
This is a fairly new SUV and front turn signals are out. This puts me in danger of having to turn and other drivers not aware. It is not a simple bulb fix. All have to be removed. This was confirmed by a couple of independent mechanics. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer. No warning lamps or messages prior to issue.
Drivers DRL failed within 3 yrs. This is LED and supposed to last 10-15 yrs. Extended bumper to bumper warranty won’t cover. It’s nearly 2k to fix. Risk is less visibility during daytime to other drivers. Is this led bulb, electrical, fuse, ballast? No one seems to know. 2 dealerships say have to replace entire headlight system for nearly 2k!!!
When vehicle was purchased new in 2023 I noticed the corners of the windshield was delaminating forming bubbles in both corners of the glass as well as along the top I brought the car back several times and it was never fixed ,reached out to Stellantis and was told glass is not covered under warranty even though the vehicle has only 8000 miles on it now .
After purchasing a used 2023 Dodge Durango GT, issues arose almost immediately following delivery. I took the vehicle to a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram (CJDR) dealership for inspection and service. Diagnostic scans revealed multiple stored and active fault codes, including but not limited to: U0415 / U0401 – Implausible or invalid data received from ABS / ECM / PCM B195F-12 – Power liftgate chime control circuit short to battery B15A1-00 – Active electrical fault Multiple body control, module communication, and liftgate-related fault codes The vehicle experienced intermittent starting failures, creating safety concerns including: Potential inability to move the vehicle when needed, including in traffic Risk of being stranded in unsafe locations Uncertainty regarding whether the vehicle would reliably restart after being shut off The vehicle was removed from service and sent to an authorized Dodge dealership for further diagnosis and repair. The manufacturer/dealer elected to replace a fuel line as part of the repair process to address the starting hesitation. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Dodge service department. No police or insurance inspections have occurred. Symptoms occurred intermittently and without consistent warning lights, including: Delayed or hesitant engine starting Requirement to press the brake pedal firmly in order to start the vehicle Intermittent electrical system fault codes retrieved during diagnostics Symptoms first appeared almost immediately after vehicle delivery. The vehicle has a documented history of multiple electrical communication faults, including body control and power liftgate chime control circuits. The selling dealer (Westside Hyundai) was unable to retrieve these fault codes, resulting in the vehicle being out of service and pairs being coordinated at their expense. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Fuel pump stopped working prematurely and had to be replaced prior to 57k miles. Satelite/Antenna/Module failure. Headlight DRL have failed prematurely. Taillights burned out due to constant water buildup. Yes vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
The spoiler on my liftgate fell off when driving 40mph
Left driver side LED turn signal strip malfunctions
FRONT COLLISION SENSOR WILL BLINK RED AMD RING A LOUD ALARM WHEN NO VEHICLE IS IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY GOING 80 mph OR SIMILAR AND WHEN IT DOES IT WILL APPLY THE BRAKES AND THERE ARE PEOPLE BEHIND ME ABOUT TO CAUSE A CRASH. BUT WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF ME, THE FRONT COLLISION SENSOR WARNING DID NOT WORK AT ALL. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NO ISSUE BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
Three times now I have a service transmission and it won’t shift but then when taken to dealer they state no codes pop up but I show them a video of what happens each time the dealership says bring it back. First time no codes- no fix, The second time they exchanged the transmission brain and 3 months later the third time and still nothing fixed due to no codes and nothing happened when they drove the car. Something is going on for it to service transmission light to come on and then not shift 3 times now within 6 months. Mileage is under 32,000. Regular maintained with oil changes and tires.
daytime running light feature is out on drivers side seems to be a consistent problem is not covered under max care warranty
Uconnect box requires service. Dinging inside car constantly and no error message when this occurs.
Running light inoperable. Dealer says replacement is only repair, not covered under warranty. Found that many other people are having the same problem within 3 years.
SERVICE SHIFTER on dashboard. When driving or at the start
The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond with the message “Service Shifter” displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted the gear shifter between neutral and reverse until the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
I am submitting this complaint regarding recurring safety-related defects on my 2023 Dodge Durango RT. 1.Uconnect Failure: The Uconnect infotainment/communication box has repeatedly failed, causing loss of access to critical vehicle functions. These failures affect visibility of system warnings, navigation, and driver settings, creating distraction and limiting awareness. 2.Driver-Side Daytime Running Light (DRL) Failure: At just 40,000 miles, the driver-side DRL failed. This significantly reduces vehicle visibility to other drivers during the day, creating a safety hazard. What raises my concern further is that I have personally identified at well over 10 other Dodge Durangos in my local area experiencing the same daytime running light issue. This strongly suggests a widespread defect. Both failures directly impact vehicle safety. The Uconnect issue undermines system reliability, while the DRL defect reduces daytime visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. I request that this issue be investigated as a systemic defect requiring corrective action. Dodge owners should not have to repeatedly pay for repairs on essential safety features. Thank you for your time and attention.
This is about our 8th, of a fleet of 14 Police Durangos, all 2021-2024 to have the oil filter housings have failed, causing engine oil and coolant to mix, making the car inoperable. This has been brought to the attention of Dodge, and they have told me it is a very common problem, yet we have no recalls yet and this is on agencies, and i assume personal vehicle owners too to repair. We just had another car, ill write up next, that had the same failure, causing engine to blow while headed to a priority call. This is an known problem and Stellantis needs to be held responsible for past repair costs, and a full recall of all faulty parts.
Screen/display has blacked out. Take it to the dealer appeared on the screen. Transmission shifter indicator stopped working. The dealer is charging me $1,900 to repair both.
Showing 20 of 908 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Dodge Durango
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Dodge Durango has 908 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Dodge Durango has 27 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 35 of the Dodge Durango's 908 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Dodge Durango vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Dodge Durango vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Dodge Durango has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Buyers Also Compare
How does the Dodge Durango stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
📍 Check a Dodge Durango by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Dodge Durango.
Dodge Durango reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Dodge Durango reliable?
Average. The Dodge Durango has 908 NHTSA owner complaints and 27 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Dodge Durango years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (226 complaints), 2017 (209 complaints), 2021 (180 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Dodge Durango problems?
Top reported issues: EXTERIOR LIGHTING (309 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (254 complaints); ENGINE (121 complaints).
Does the Dodge Durango have recalls?
Yes — 27 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Dodge Durango. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.