What 227 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Durango

The passenger side active headrest restraint deployed at 3mph in a parking lot. There had been a safety recall for apparently my vin is not covered per dodge. [XXX] If this would have happened on the drivers side at highway speeds, it could have been deadly. The vehicle is at nyle Maxwell in Killeen and the passengers side is being replaced via extended warranty but my issue is getting the divers side replaced BEFORE it hits me in the back of the head. I spoke with dodge customer service and I was advised to submit a complaint. I think the model year range and trims should be expanded as this is still clearly an issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11745257

June 11, 2026 Re: Unexpected Passenger-Side Active Head Restraint Deployment – 2018 Dodge Durango R/T To Whom It May Concern: I am reporting an incident involving my 2018 Dodge Durango R/T equipped with leather seats. Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2018 Dodge Durango R/T Seating: Leather Interior Affected Component: Passenger-Side Active Head Restraint (AHR) Mileage at Time of Incident: 126,207 miles Date of Incident: [XXX] Description of Incident: While traveling on the roadway on [XXX], the passenger-side Active Head Restraint (AHR) suddenly deployed without warning. There was no accident, collision, sudden stop, or any other event that would reasonably trigger the system. The vehicle was being operated normally at the time of the incident. My [XXX] son was seated in the front passenger seat when the headrest unexpectedly deployed and forcefully struck him in the back of the head. The deployment occurred without any impact to the vehicle and caused immediate concern for his safety and well-being. Following the deployment, the headrest remained in the deployed position and appears to require repair or replacement. Given that the system activated without a collision and made forceful contact with an occupant, I believe this represents a significant safety concern. I am aware that similar incidents have been reported by owners of Dodge Durangos and other Stellantis vehicles equipped with Active Head Restraint systems. NHTSA has previously investigated complaints involving headrests deploying without a crash and causing injuries to vehicle occupants. My incident appears consistent with those reported failures. I respectfully request that this incident be documented and investigated as a potential safety-related defect. Please advise whether there are any recalls, technical service bulletins, customer satisfaction programs, warranty extensions INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11743620

Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.

NHTSA ODI 11737703

While driving, the passenger front headrest suddenly popped forward hitting the passenger in the back of the head aggressively and unexpectedly. No accident involved or any aggressive braking. The vehicle/headrest is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my passenger was put at risk as it punched them in the back of the head. It gave her an instant headache and mildly upset stomach. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealership yet, planning to try and go this week. The headrest has not been inspected by anyone besides me yet. No error messages or lights before or since the event.

NHTSA ODI 11735703

Water in racetrack tailgate taillights

NHTSA ODI 11730341

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The electronic stability control(ESC) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. However, on other occasions, when the vehicle stalled, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, where it was diagnosed with starter failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11728001

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale purchased on December 27, 2025. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 82,000. While attempting to purchase an extended warranty, the contact was denied the warranty extension due to the odometer fraud. The contact was presented with a report, which indicated that in October of 2025, the mileage was documented at 186,000. After viewing the Carfax Report, the contact discovered that the mileage was 194,000. The contact informed the dealer of the odometer fraud.

NHTSA ODI 11726621

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a week later, while the vehicle was idling, it was vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the same mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam lobes were worn and needed to be replaced. The mechanic confirmed the findings with the dealer, and it was confirmed that it was a known issue due to the heat treatment to harden the steel not being properly performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,700.

NHTSA ODI 11721995

FORMAL COMPLAINT Safety Recall 94B (NHTSA Campaign No. 24V-838) I hereby submit this complaint regarding the failure to properly complete Safety Recall 94B (NHTSA Campaign No. 24V-838) involving the HCU/ABS module on my 2018 Dodge Durango. On December 23, 2025, I contacted an authorized Dodge dealer located at 5404 S. Illinois Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, to remedy the HCU/ABS defect under the recall. I was informed that the recall repair would be performed free of charge and an appointment was scheduled for December 29, 2025. At the scheduled visit, the vehicle was returned to me in less than 30 minutes without any recall repair being performed. Instead, I was told that paid diagnostics were required and that the estimated repair cost could range from $3,000 to $5,000. I was also informed that the recall repair could not be completed because the HCU/ABS module was not in stock. The dealer later stated that the module would be ordered, but the delivery timeline was repeatedly postponed. On January 27, 2026, the vehicle was returned to me with the same HCU/ABS-related malfunctions. The dealer stated that Recall 24V-838 / FCA 94B had been closed and refused to replace the HCU/ABS module under the recall. Although FCA systems reflect the recall as “completed,” the safety defect has not been remedied. The vehicle continues to display ABS/ESC warnings, and diagnostic trouble codes related to the braking and electronic stability control systems remain present, confirming that the defect described in the recall persists. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 30118(b) and 49 CFR § 573.6(c)(10), when a safety defect persists or reoccurs after recall repairs, the manufacturer is required to implement additional corrective measures, including repeat repair or replacement of the affected component or system. Closing a recall while the defect remains unresolved does not satisfy federal requirements. I respectfully request regulatory review and appropriate action to ensure that thi

NHTSA ODI 11713709

Over time, the valvetrain in my engine became gradually louder. Because there were no check engine lights or fault codes, I initially assumed this was a normal characteristic of the engine. That changed on January 2, 2026, when I began to hear a pronounced knocking/loud tapping noise accompanied by a cylinder 8 misfire. At that point, I stopped driving the vehicle and had it towed to a repair shop. Based on the symptoms, we initially believed the issue would be limited to a camshaft and lifter replacement. However, after draining the oil and cutting open the oil filter, a significant amount of metal debris was discovered. Further inspection revealed that one camshaft lobe had been worn down nearly smooth and the corresponding lifter had failed. When the camshaft was removed for full evaluation, all other lobes showed normal, even wear. Only the lobe associated with the failed lifter exhibited catastrophic damage beyond repair. As a result of the metal contamination throughout the engine, a full engine replacement was required rather than a repair of individual components. The basis of my complaint is that this failure appears to be a well-documented and common issue with the 6.4L HEMI engine equipped with MDS. I have since reviewed numerous reports and forum discussions describing nearly identical failures—often beginning with increased valvetrain noise, followed by a single-cylinder misfire and extensive internal damage. This was not the result of neglect or abuse, but rather a known failure mode that ultimately led to the complete loss of the engine.

NHTSA ODI 11710625

Manufacturer Recall Number94B NHTSA Recall Number24V-838 Recall has been active but without a solution since 2022 and reopened in 2024.

NHTSA ODI 11709881

I currently own a 2018 Dodge Durango SXT, the rear tail lights leak due to a failing gasket causing thousands of dollars of repairs, as well as electrical issues. This defect, that Dodge is aware of and refuses to recall, causes major safety issues such as the whole assembly to burn out causing visibility issues and other drivers not being able to see you from behind.

NHTSA ODI 11702047

Anti lock brakes do not work. First icy conditions it locked up easily. 94B recall was supposed to be "first quarter of 2025"

NHTSA ODI 11701740

(Initially) March of 2023 I had an issue with this vehicle 2018 Dodge Durango RT 2wd 5.7L serious electrical problems gauge cluster All lights and warnings indicators showing on Gauge Cluster..failure to start. I had the vehicle Towed to Dodge dealership in Fontana California and it was diagnosed as a power control module failure it fell short of a factory warranty and no recall .. after diagnostic I had the vehicle repaired at my expense .. they repaired the faulty module and vehicle worked Normally until this day 2 years later November 24th 2025.. I went to go start my vehicle this afternoon and I have the same exact problem as I had before all warning lights lit up on the gauge cluster and no start accompanied with no emergency flashers and no turn signals and no exterior lights.. this would be the second time the power control module has failed this is a frustrating issue as it is expensive for this repair this vehicle absolutely has a serious problem for this being the second time in 2 years the power control module has failed this needs to be addressed and further investigated please and thank you

NHTSA ODI 11701129

My front passenger headrest deployed while I was driving with no impact.

NHTSA ODI 11698692

I was driving to work and when I turned into my job the steering wheel became hard. I parked my truck turned it off and turned it back on and all of my dashboard lights came on and didn’t go away. The truck would not go into any gear. Initially, we thought it was a battery problem so they changed out the battery all the lights turned off but my truck is still not going into any gears. I was told due to the recall my truck is making it seem like I’m not pressing down on my break so I can’t shift gears and I cannot drive my truck. I called Chrysler and they told me that the only thing they could do was give me a rental that I had to pay $50 every day which I don’t think that’s fair because my truck isn’t working due to a recall that I didn’t cause. I don’t need reimbursement or any of that. I need a car. They told me that the car part might come in the first week of December that’s three weeks without a car. I need a vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11697957

While driving on the Thruway, the vehicle tends to misfire which results in lost power to the engine and shaking of the vehicle. The check engine light starts flashing and it becomes unsafe to maintain speeds. The issue was diagnosed as Cylinder 5 Misfire caused by camshaft and lifter failure. This sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds could cause an accident if it happens during traffic or passing situations. This is a known issue with the 2018 Dodge Durango GT V6 and should be a recall on the vehicle. This is a major engine issue.

NHTSA ODI 11697385

The tailgate light has gone out on my 2018 Dodge Durango R/T. Researching online has lead me to discover that this is a known issue that is costing customers thousands of dollars due to a known design flaw. The tailgate light goes out and usually leads to the brake lights and backup camera going out. I do not know when the brakes lights may glitch or go out which can cause an accident. I asked the service person at the dealership about the tailgate issue in May of 2025 when the tailgate light was intermittently going in and out. I was told to call the 800 customer service number. There’s no warning for the tailgate light failing and leading to the failure of the brake lights and backup camera.

NHTSA ODI 11695961

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase on January 10, 2025, the vehicle's mileage was 36,020. After checking the Carfax, the vehicle was flagged for odometer fraud with a current mileage of 74,624. The contact had filed a report with the State Attorney General, Mayor, and the business that the loan was taken out for the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11691847

My vehicle began to misfire after driving roughly 8 miles, check engine light would flash and ding. After shutting vehicle off for a while and restarting it, problem would be gone until driving approximately 8 miles. Brought to Chrysler service center, where they reproduced the problem and determined it is a camshaft or camshaft related issue. Vehicle is parked at that service center awaiting parts that are backordered until January. Vehicle cannot be driven in this condition. If the camshaft fails catastrophically, it could destroy the entire engine, putting myself and whoever else is in the vehicle in danger.

NHTSA ODI 11684742

3.6L V6 Engine, Auto Start/Stop light came on followed by check engine light. Codes for multiple misfires, replaced multiple coils and replaced all spark plugs. After all was replaced, still had the same issues. Took it to a local Dodge dealership and they said it was a head gasket but it would have to be sent off to figure out which one.

NHTSA ODI 11681652

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while stopped in a Drive-Thru, there was an abnormally loud sound before the driver’s side head restraint unexpectedly deployed. The contact's head was pushed forward with force and struck the steering wheel. There was no injury reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the head restraint's unintended deployment. The contact was informed that the driver’s side headrest needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,800.

NHTSA ODI 11679834

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, and the front passenger's side headrest unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under an unknown extended warranty coverage; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11677233

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11675636

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was taken to another dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675705