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, Jan 18, 2023
Rear Tracklights has water intrusion. This is a safety hazard and should be a recall asap
Exterior lighting, Dec 9, 2022
All of my lights on the back of my vehicle are out due to water damage. This is a known problem with these vehicles. The vehicle has less than 50,000 miles. The cost for a replacement is $1500. Dodge has known of this issue for many years has done nothing to correct it. It will not pass the state safety inspection with the lights out. It is a safety issue because I have no rear lights. We contacted Dodge. They told us if this becomes a recall, they will reimburse us for repairs. This has been an issue for many years and they have neglected to repair the problem. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 21, 2022
The whole back panel of tail, break, blinker, licenses plate lights do not work. The seal does not perform properly and causes water to build up in the lights and fries them. It causes the vehicle to be unsafe when driving due to no lights working. No warnings were given at all just completely quit working.
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 12, 2022
The electrical power steering failed making it nearly impossible to steer.
Seats, Oct 24, 2022
Passenger Seat Headrest deploys
Air bags, Oct 13, 2022
Driving down the road around 35mph and front passenger active headrest deployed out of nowhere. Luckily my daught wasn't taller than what she is or it would have impact the backnof her head.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2022
When driving on the freeway I went to accelerate the car then begin to accelerate by itself even when I was hitting the brakes it would not slow down. Finally after a few seconds it slowed down. About a week after that started feeling like the transmission was having issues. Now I cannot drive my car. And this happened about three times with the acceleration of the car doing that by itself.
Steering, Sep 25, 2022
Started car and got a C2217-00 code Electic power steering module internal. Electric Power Steering is disabled. The part is unavailable. Making the vehicle useless. Can't use a used part, the VIN is programmed into the unit, on starting you get a VIN mismatch error and the Electric Power Steering is again disabled.
Air bags, Aug 23, 2022
Airbag warning light comes on and off when vehicle is moving or when vehicles is in park. It’ll take off at times but will re-appear randomly.
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 1, 2022, crash
No lights on the dashboard were on but the radio/ climate control center screen was flashing. Shut screen off. Was involved in motor vehicle accident with front end collision. Police report and insurance notified. Air bags did not deploy. Approximate speed on impacted was 30mph. Two days prior the auto stop and start system was flashing on dashboard.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 18, 2022
I have taken it twice to the dealership. There is an issue with the rpm and i receive several light on my dash. The most dangerous is when I try to speed the RPM goes so high and it stops driving. They told me it had something to do with the recall but the recall has expired so now i have to fix it.
Engine, Jul 18, 2022
The car has a defect on the construction or installation of ridge coolant lines making them very susceptible to failure. Countless reports online of coolant leaks that were not easily recognizable and requires extensive maintenance to correct. My car will requires the transmission to be completely removed and drop to be able to fix a coolant leak.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 7, 2022
The rear “track light” which includes the camera within the assembly collects water from a failed seal. This causes lights and electrical components to be damaged and stop working. Drivers losing function in their brake/tail lights and cameras causes dangerous situations on the road. This is a common issue in the 14’-‘20 models.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2022
Have had ongoing issues with the electrical system since I purchased this vehicle new yet the dealership continued telling me they couldn't find anything until now. My SUV is 5 years old and now all of a sudden needs a new wiring harness.
Structure, May 10, 2022
The suspension rod that lifts and holds the liftgate open snapped at the bolt and broke. The liftgate can only be opened and close manually now. It has fallen on my arm and caused bruises multiple times. I fear it can fall on my head or my children's. I haven't taken it to get repaired as I'm sure it will be costly and money is very tight. I only had this vehicle for 4 years when this happened and it has low mileage. I have read about other Durangos having this same issue.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 16, 2022
Water leaking in the race light and now for the third time water is in there again and now the right side is burnt out!
Exterior lighting, Mar 7, 2022
There is a gap between the lift gate lamp and the frame of the vehicle allowing for water build up in the lighting causing for the brake lights to malfunction and go out at random times. Dealer wants to charge 1,500 to replace light but refuses to acknowledge that the issue is cause by the gap between the frame and the light. Constantly have to bleed out water from my brakes until they went out
Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2022
The rear tailgate lights, which operate in conjunction with the tail lights, fills up with water over time. The water then shorts out the LED lights.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 24, 2022
Water is able to leak into the rear hatch “racetrack” tail light by means of a faulty sealing system used on the tail Light across the back hatch. The water then grounds out the break and tail light function as well as numerous other electrical systems (in my case the radio and whole vehicle control system located in the dash). The seal on the light is a non serviceable item and the manufacturer claims the only fix is to replace the entire light at a cost in excess of $1,500.00. The gap in the seal is large enough for insects to enter the light as well, so not at all water tight as a external light should be.
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2022
When driving the vehicle there is loss of acceleration and doesn't go faster than 10 miles per hour while I was on the freeway. I had to pull over to a stop on a busy freeway with 4 children and myself a single mother. I was scared that I may be rear ended while on the freeway. I had it towed to the dealer and they said it was the transmission.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled while utilizing the AUTO STOP/START feature. The contact was able to pull over. The shift to park message was blinking and the AUTO STOP/START exclamation was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the headlamp was inoperable. There was an abnormal knocking noise detected from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer; Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (211-10 Jamaica Ave, Queens, NY 11428(844) 291-4802) who was also unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer contacted the owner and informed him a specialist would be looking at the vehicle; however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 80.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2022
When shifting the vehicle it says “service shifter”. Once again I look up this issue on the web and hundreds of others are saying they have the same issue with jeeps and a variety of dodge vehicles.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2022
The tail light on the tail gate accumulates water and causes the light to go out. This could cause the entire brake light to short and could result in a rear end collision. 85 percent of the Dodge Durangos I see have the same issue. This isn’t a wear and tear problem, the lights weren’t sealed properly from the factory. Attached are just a few photos demonstrating the problem. Dodge owes it to the consumer to have this recalled
Air bags, Oct 8, 2021
The air bags light goes of and on and I got it fixed when I purchased the car and it is doing it again and air bags light is coming of and on and is always beeping saying its urgent the dealer won't look at I any more because they say it might be a recall
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2021
Back on Aug 24th, I brought in my 2017 Dodge Durango for what I suspected was a burnt out headlight bulb on the left side. Turned out, I needed a new ballast. Today, it's now my right side that needs a new ballast. I have looked over the complaints for this SUV and it is not an uncommon issue.