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
211 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2024
Tracktail lights water go inside and cost repairs is over 1,500 all cables got burned out fire can happen soon if they don't. Make a safety recall for its 2017 dodge durango rt racetrack tail lights
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2024
Water has been collecting in the right hand side of my racetrack taillight on my 2017 Durango causing my entire strip to burn out completely. It seems as though debris and bugs have also made their way into the tail light as both are visible and trapped within the light assembly. The taillight flickers upon starting the car and then completely stops working. I attempted to dry the light out by removing it, getting all condensation and collected water out, sealing up the parts that were weeping and cleaning up the gaskets that had weak spots but the entire assembly seems to have totally failed. This car has had no rear end damage and nothing happened that would have compromised the unit to cause this issue.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2024
On my 2017 Doge Durango RT the “Racetrack” light has failed and created a safety issue for my vehicle. The LED light on the hatch has failed from poor manufacturing and has allowed water it get into the light shorting out the whole taillight. This has not only made a running light not work while I’m driving, but has caused the license plate light and the rear backup camera to fail. This is an over 1000 dollar repair. I will replace it for the safety of my family and those who drive on the roads with me. I have seen many other dodge Durango of the same model years that have a similar problem. There is a large online community who report the same issue. I hope this issue has not caused an accident for anyone else.
Exterior lighting, Dec 26, 2023
The rear center tail light, “Racetrack light” has water in it and is defective now for the second time, this is a well known issue, but continues to fail. Dodge will not cover the repair even with a maximum care warranty, pushing a well documented issue back to the consumer.
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2023
The rear tail light(race track light) has lost its seal and water has protruded the sealed of the LED tail light causing disruption in the light functioning properly. I have taken my vehicle to the dealership, it does have an extended warranty from Mopar on the vehicle, but the dealership will not cover. The replacement cost of repairing the rear tail light. The dealership informed me that this was a reoccurring issue for Dodge Durango‘s. I am concerned that the tail light will completely fail, and I will be involved in an incident due to the driver behind me not being able to recognize my vehicle with the tail light not functioning properly..
Engine, Sep 27, 2023
Bought brand new in 2017 with regular car maintenance, this 2017 dodge durango starting having engine problems now with almost 100k miles on it. at first we had the check engine light on. It has smoke and misfire on cyl 3car didn't star. Mechanic repaired head on rt head on all related gaskets, replaced starter. Now, out of the sudden car starting leaking oil, took it to the mechanic and they said the engined must be replaced because a cylinder rod went through engine block. The car only has 103k miles, it always had regular and proper maintenance.
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
Steering, Jun 22, 2023
Electric Power Steering failed at 3 years (2020) as of this date (6/2023) no repair parts (paid for years ago) can be had. Even junkyard parts are VIN-coded making them also useless.
Steering, Jun 16, 2023
I took my 2017 Durango RT AWD in for my steering rack locking up on me while driving and after being parked out in the cold for about 10 min. The two technicians working on it did there multi point inspection and stated that my CV boot had a slight tear and needed replacement as the gears had sediment but were not able to recreate my issue as no codes came out minus a message stating Steering Rack was hot and was limited. A few hrs later they called and said it was done and when I picked it up after paying over $1000 I was not able to leave parking lot because the steering was locked. The brought out the techs and tried to get some codes with no luck. I did even ask to see the old CV boot to see what happened and they told me that they could not show it to me because it was a core they had to swap out. Either way, they told me that the worst thing they did not want was that I needed a new rack and pinion and was looking upwards to $5000 with labor($2K for part alone). It took me about 20 min in their parking lot moving forward and backwards until it unlocked on me. Essentially, I made it home 45 min later fighting with steering which locked up on me while driving almost crashing into the bridge rails on certain occasions or other obstacles as I had to get to the median so I could turn the wheels back in order to warm them up or vehicle to warm up as I was driving in cold weather. When i got home i looked under the vehicle and noticed the passenger steering rack boot cover being really stiff. I waited an hour and cut open the boot and noticed water had accumulated and there was lack of grease. Purchased another dust cover boot for $50 and cleaned and lubricated the steering rack and lucky that has stopped my issue for a while but keeps locking the wheel momentarily.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2023
With the electrical system, the vehicle's rear lighting allows for water intrusion and causing the lighting to short out. An example can be found at the following URL: https://www.dodgedurango.net/threads/this-effing-tail-light.78983/ . This issue costs between $1100-$2000 to fix and requires a whole new rear tail panel. For the visibility/wipers, when the driver attempts to clean the windshield using windshield wiper fluid the windshield wiper fluid line disconnects itself causing the driver to have to come to a stop and re-connect the line.
Electrical system, Structure, May 18, 2023
Water intrusion into the large tail light causing a short and corrosion that intermittently disables blinkers and running lights
Engine, May 14, 2023
My vehicle only has 112,008 miles on it and it suddenly/randomly blew a head gasket. I have been told to purchase a new engine. I get ALL my regular and routine maintenance done on time. This has to have been a bad engine that was in my vehicle originally.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 6, 2023
Shifter knob moves freely without having foot on brake so the shifter doesn’t lock into a gear. Message appears on dash “Service Shifter”.
Exterior lighting, May 5, 2023
Water in tail lights. Complete failure of marker lights
Power train, May 5, 2023
While I was merging onto the freeway with my daughter, I accelerated to a speed of 60 mph and it felt like my transmission dropped. My car was revving at 5k rpm’s and would not allow me to go any faster than 45 mph. Luckily no accident occurred as I was able to safely get my child and myself off the freeway. I now have a service appointment scheduled with dodge to see why this happened. But after ready these other complaints, I now see this is a potential recall! Hopefully my warranty covers this repair…
Electrical system, May 5, 2023
This is now the 2nd time the racetrack light that houses the rear taillight assembly has allowed water to gain entry into the electrical system. Causes the lights to corrupt and short out. FCA refuses to acknowledge this issue. This is a problem not just with my vehicle but there are 100's of these reported on the internet. Including a pending class action lawsuit because FCA refuses to acknowledge the issue. We need someone with higher authority to hold FCA accountable and issue a recall with a permanent fix! Please help me and all the other owners!!!!
Power train, Apr 8, 2023
While driving, the transmission gave out. There was no prior indication of any issue - no warning light and no different noise. The car wouldn't change gears, which was an extremely dangerous situation in traffic. This transmission is "supposed" to be so good that there isn't a way to even check the transmission oil - there is no dipstick. Dodge claims that the oil doesn't need to be checked, it is that good. Howerver, after the failure and having it towed to the dealer, the report was that the transmission was was black! How is a consumer supposed to be able to check a basic, required fluid with no dipstick? There isn't a way to have any preventative check on the transmission, yet it just fails without warning? There are at least two design flaws that compromise safety - no way to check the transmission oil, and the transmission completely going out without so much as an engine light coming on first. I purchased the car new, and it only has 70,000 miles on it - a transmission should not have black fluid and go out with that little use.
Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2023
Back tail track light has water intrusion from a bad gasket that dodge installed on these durangos and I'm scared that it will cause an electrical fire
Exterior lighting, Feb 26, 2023
Apparent defect in racetrack light. Water gets into the racetrack light and causes it to burn out. This will cause the racetrack light to not fully light up when braking. Multiple people have almost rearended me. Did some research and other owners have reported an electrical smell or possible burning smell. Defect was confirmed with car dealership that water is getting into the racetrack light. Sometimes its part of light sometimes its the full light. Unable to pass inspection in NYS without light being completely lit up so this needs to be recalled as it is a safety issue and should be fixed by Dodge.
Exterior lighting, Back over prevention, Feb 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear brake light bulbs had failed due to water and condensation inside the rear taillight assembly housings. The light bulbs were replaced, and the failure was temporarily fixed; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the rear taillight assembly housings had been replaced on two previous occasions for the same failure. Additionally, the rear back-up camera malfunctioned and no image was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000. The contact stated that the rear brake lights were replaced for a second time but the problem still persists.
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2023
The car shut off while in drive. I was at a stop sign behind another car. They pulled away, I went to pull up and the car shut off. It started back up after being turned off and restarted.
Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the taillights failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that a circuit chip was burned due to contact with an unknown fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Engine, Feb 10, 2023
The oil cooler/ filter housing leaked causing oil to pool on the motor and leak from the vehicle. It’s apparently a common problem with this engine. It’s said that if the oil leak wasn’t noticed at first the engine would’ve seized. Definitely a defect on the manufacturers end.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2023
The sunroof spontaneously exploded and shattered all over while driving on the highway at approximately 65 miles an hour. Mother and child were in the vehicle. The sunroof was opened on "vent" position. The sunroof cover was also opened (cover inside the vehicle) Mother and child sustained minor physical injuries however, this could have been a major much bigger accident with many other vehicles on the road involved.