Home · 2021 Dodge Durango · Complaints

What 183 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Dodge Durango

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (183)Crash / fire / injury (13)Lights (79)Electrical system (39)Engine (21)Body & structure (13)Airbags (10)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Backup camera & sensors (9)Fuel system (9)Brakes (8)Driver assistance (6)

Newest first · 183 complaints · page 1 of 8

Jul 7, 2026Fire

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. About an hour after parking, I asked my fiancé to retrieve our belongings from inside the vehicle. He immediately noticed smoke filling the interior of the vehicle. I opened the hood to try to determine where the smoke was coming from but did not see any visible fire. As I continued looking for the source of the smoke, the vehicle suddenly caught fire. Within approximately 10 minutes, the fire spread rapidly, completely destroying the vehicle and reducing it to a total loss. The flames then spread to my home, causing part of the house to catch fire. Thankfully, we discovered the smoke when we did. Had it gone unnoticed for even a short time longer, our entire house could have caught fire. Firefighters arrived just as the fire began spreading to the house and were able to prevent further damage. Thankfully, no one was injured.

NHTSA ODI 11748841

Jul 2, 2026AirbagsCrash2 injuries

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH downhill, the driver swerved to the left to avoid crashing into the vehicle ahead, and the vehicle struck a fire hydrant and then crashed into a pole, where the vehicle came to a stop. The fire hydrant detached, causing water to spread. The vehicle sustained severe front-end damage; however, the air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated after the crash. The driver’s head struck the steering wheel and sustained headaches and a swollen nose. The front seat passenger struck their head and had headaches. The driver did not seek medical assistance, and it was unknown whether the front passenger seat occupant had sought medical assistance. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location by the insurance company, pending an evaluation. The dealer and the manufacturer were not yet contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 7,700.

NHTSA ODI 11747956

Jun 26, 2026Electrical systemLights

Rear racetrack style taillight assembly had faulty gaskets when purchased, allowing for water intrusion of the taillight assembly, causing water damage to the electrical components in the light assembly and shorting the LED Lights.

NHTSA ODI 11746753

May 29, 2026Lights

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11740803

May 27, 2026Lights

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver-side headlight would not illuminate during nighttime conditions. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as needing both front headlights to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 11740337

May 25, 2026Lights

The Driver side Daytime Running Light (DRL) has stopped working. This is not a replaceable bulb, an entire head lamp assembly must be purchased, its also not really a user replaceable item. It involves removing the from bumper cover an other body parts. Im reporting this because this is a common occurrence on 2021 and up model year Dodge Durango and Im hoping you get enough reports to force a recall. Lighting is required for safety, it should not be something thats so difficult and expensive to repair, AND it should not be happening so frequently on this specific DRL in this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11739953

May 16, 2026Lights

The DRL failed - seems like it is due to a faulty ground connection on CANBUS.

NHTSA ODI 11738225

May 14, 2026Lights

The driver's side LED headlight has gone out. It is LED and suppose to outlast the vehicle. Headlight works but turn signal doesn't in the front. This unit is over $1,000 to have replaced and multiple people are complaining about it happening to their Dodge Durango RT's as well.

NHTSA ODI 11737899

May 9, 2026Fuel systemDriver assistance

My durango been having issues starting after seating over night also there has been a couple times when the durango loses power and is very sluggish it has to be a fuel pump issues

NHTSA ODI 11736717

May 8, 2026Electrical system

Left headlight assembly running lights failed. The light fixture. is one unit.so the whole light being replaced instead of one lightbulb.

NHTSA ODI 11736548

May 6, 2026Suspension

Our 2021 Dodge Durango Citadel with only 46,000 miles on it and purchased brand new has had the left driver side CV boot replaced and now the left driver side motor mount is leaking hydraulic fluid and needs to be replaced. Have read online of other owners having similar issues with the driver side suspension and powertrain.

NHTSA ODI 11736015

May 6, 2026Electrical systemLights

My life turn signal and parking light stopped working, my problem is the whole headlight assembly needs to be replaced just because these two items don’t work. The dealer wants over $800 for the part. Why don’t they issue a warranty or a recall on this item? It’s too much to pay just because turn signal and parking light doesn’t work.

NHTSA ODI 11736018

Apr 21, 2026Lights

Drivers side Daytime Running Light (DRL) failed. Bulb cannot be replaced, instead entire headlight must be replaced for over $1000. DLR is a safety feature which alerts other vehicles and pedestrians that a vehicle is on or in motion. Due to poor craftsmanship of this critical Dodge part, it is reasonable to recall Dodge’s defective safety equipment.

NHTSA ODI 11732873

Apr 19, 2026Electrical systemLights

The SUV has been experiencing electrical issues that started first one of the headlights stopped working, the white light around it, then it was the tailgate got a liftgate open error on the display even when the liftgate was closed, then we started to notice other electrical issues with the vehicle but the major problem that happened now is that while we were driving, all of the lights of the dashboard started to light up and the car was not responding to the accelerator pedal was not responding at all and we stalled in the middle of the street, we were lucky this didn't happen while we were on the freeway, we are afraid to use the car anymore because of this, the dealer refuses to take care of this issue because the warranty has passed but this is a major safety issue that can cause injury or death

NHTSA ODI 11732184

Apr 13, 2026Lights

My 2021 dodge durango rt have issues with front turn signal light on the driver side I have read dodge forums and other owners are experiencing the same problems how isn't this a safety issue or a recall from dodge

NHTSA ODI 11730888

Apr 8, 2026Visibility & wipers

Driving in a rainy day on my way from work home, my wipers stopped working. I took it to an auto mechanic and he told me that wiper motor was good and also was the wiper switch. The problem was with the totally integrated power module (TIPM ) . So I could not drive my vehicle when it rains. And the dealership states that I had to purchase the entire fuse module under the hood. So I had no choice but to purchase this item which the dealer charge me $480 plus tax.

NHTSA ODI 11729926

Mar 10, 2026Lights

Driver side Daytime Running Light (DLR) went out without warning. Another motorist notified me. Fixing requires the entire headlamp assembly to be replaced and the part, alone, is over $1,100.

NHTSA ODI 11723453

Mar 3, 2026Electrical systemSpeed controlEngineCrash

I'm having issues with my 2021 Dodge Durango I have a recall on a rear view camera a recall on a rear spoiler a recall on the steering assembly a recall on the ESC light mail function ABS system loose airbags

NHTSA ODI 11721618

Mar 3, 2026Lights

Driver Side Day Time Running Does not work. This is a very common problem with 2021 and up Dodge Durang's . Driving light are a safety feature. Some states require them to be on.

NHTSA ODI 11721741

Mar 2, 2026Fire

Vehicle Fire 2021 Dodge Durango GT Blacktop AWD VIN: [XXX] On around [XXX] somewhere between [XXX]pm to [XXX]pm a fire broke out in my 2021 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was parked for the evening and had been unattended for at least4 to 5 hours. At some point during the night the vehicle caught fire from underneath the dash and did severe damage to the vehicle and will most likely be a total loss. The fire melted the dash severely and the flames reached the front windshield and interior roof of the vehicle. It appears the lack of oxygen smoldered the fire and eventually extinguished itself from all windows being closed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11721456

Feb 27, 2026Lights

21 dodge durango driver’s led daytime running light went out, a lot of people having same issues specially with 21’s

NHTSA ODI 11721054

Feb 25, 2026Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. While the contact’s wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the daytime running lights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was alerted to the failure by another driver. The contact also confirmed the failure when the vehicle was pulled into the driveway at the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the running lights had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11720458

Feb 23, 2026Engine

Cooling systems failed caused the engine to blow without warning

NHTSA ODI 11720004

Feb 19, 2026Lights

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side headlight failed to function as intended. In addition, the front passenger side headlight was very dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the LED ballast had failed. The contact was informed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11719174

Feb 13, 2026Brakes

Around 50,000 or trailer brake service and traction control warning came on. Took into dealership was told it was hydraulic control unit and abs module that need replaced

NHTSA ODI 11717835

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Working with the data? Download all 183 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2021 Dodge Durango verdict →