2017 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 211 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 9 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, wiringMay 17, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Campaign 18V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftAug 31, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Durango vehicles. The vehicles may have been assembled with rear axle halfshafts that are too short.
If a halfshaft is too short, it may disengage from the differential causing a loss of drive and increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace both halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T55.
Campaign 17V541000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: seats
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Seats, Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2025
I had just parked my vehicle in my drive and turned it off. I opened my door then sat back in my seat to stretch my back, sitting straight up with my head against the headrest, before getting out. As soon as I leaned my head against the headrest it, for lack of better terms, exploded into the back of my head. It hit me with such force I was not sure what had happened as there was nobody around me that could’ve cause it. Sure enough there was no accident to cause it. I have had a headache and back pain for a week due to it.
Seats, Oct 5, 2025
While driving, the Active Headrest Restraint deployed on the passenger side WITHOUT accident. It appears the plastic piece that holds the pin broke. Luckily there wasn't a passenger present but this could've done serious head injury. This also puts the driver at risk for the driver side could deploy randomly. There were no messages or warnings or any symptoms indicating to the failure.
Seats, Jan 7, 2025
The driver’s side headrest deployed while I was driving. There was no warning and no impact. The headrest pushed my head forward, slamming into the back of it. This could have been a disaster, gigantic safety risk.
Seats, Oct 22, 2024
Started the vehicle, my wife was in the passenger seat. The headrest exploded apart and hit her in the back of the head. It hit her pretty hard in the back of the head. She had a headache but no medical attention was needed. I'm hoping this does not happen to the drivers side while I am driving.
Seats, Sep 29, 2024
While parked, the front passenger headrest split apart. The active headrest appears to have broken or deployed. The vehicle was in park. No collision. Drive seat did not deploy. Reset of headrest doesn’t not seem possible. latches appear broke. No noise when this occurred. Back seat passenger witnessed the headrest randomly split open
Seats, May 26, 2024
On [XXX] 2024 my wife, son, and I were sitting at a stop light on [XXX] at approximately 16:40 hours when we heard a loud pop in the vehicle and my wife's head was pushed forward by the passenger side seat head rest, causing pain to my wife's head and neck, and shoulder muscles. Upon inspection of the head rest, it had become separated in the middle (pictures attached). Vehicle is equipped with the active head restraint system. My wife has not received medical attention yet but is quite sore this morning. We will contact our dealer to replace the head rest (and the driver's side head rest) and request the defective head rest be returned to us so it is available for NHTSA inspection. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance rep, or others yet. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This happened suddenly without any warning while we were stopped at a traffic light. Our safety was put at risk by the sudden failure and violent expansion to the head rest causing pain to my wife. Had this occurred on the driver's side while the vehicle was in motion, it could have caused a motor vehicle crash resulting in severe injury, property damage, or even death. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Seats, Aug 30, 2023
Vehicle was sitting, not driven and parked for a couple days, got into the car and the saw the front passenger headrest airbag had deployed. Vehicle has not been in an accident or been damaged.
Seats, Aug 28, 2023
I was driving with my 16yr old and the headrest popped open and hit her in the back of the head
Seats, Oct 24, 2022
Passenger Seat Headrest deploys
Seats, Sep 28, 2020
DRIVER SIDE HEADREST POPPED OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN