2021 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 202 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateAug 13, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the spoiler and align the liftgate as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 10, 2026. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 61D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 21V842 or 23V115. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Campaign 26V528000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJun 13, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
Campaign 24V436000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateFeb 23, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
A damaged rear spoiler can detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 20A. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V-842.
Campaign 23V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, gas recirculation valve (egr valve)Apr 28, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
Campaign 22V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, rack and pinionMar 14, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, possibly allowing it to bind within the steering rack, and resulting in difficulty steering or a loss of steering control.
Difficulty steering, or a loss of steering control, can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-852-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z18.
Campaign 22V154000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 10, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the ABS control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.
Campaign 22V140000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyOct 28, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y73.
Campaign 21V842000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, critical fastenersApr 22, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing.
A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will tighten or replace the fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent on May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y16.
Campaign 21V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, May 30, 2024
My 2021 Durango is suffering from the a burnt out racetrack light. This is an manufacturer issue and is common across all Durango's with the racetrack tail light, I hope that Dodge issue a recall to fix this problem since it's this common, my vehicle is only 3 years old.
Exterior lighting, May 21, 2024
In my 2021 Dodge Durango, I noticed my daytime running light on the drivers side was out. I thought that’s weird because I have had the car for less than 3 years. When I googled the problem to find the part to replace, I quickly learned there were thousands of complaints about the same problem. This part costs $1,400 for one single headlight replacement because it’s not possible to just replace a bulb. I called the dealership and they let me know that I can bring it in with a $250 fee for checking the problem. I will be required to pay the fee if it is not covered under warranty. In their words, if a fuse is loose or malfunctioning then I have to pay $250 plus however much it costs to fix the problem. If the headlight needs to be replaced then I do not have to pay the $250 fee because it’s apart of my 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. I cannot afford to pay $3,000 every two years for a set of new headlights when this seems like a major flaw in design along with thousands of customers reporting this is happening to them as well. I live in Washington state where it is dark, gloomy, and rainy throughout the entire year. I would consider daytime running lights a safety concern if not functioning properly on a daily basis and constantly needs to be repaired. My car never warned me or sent me a message that there was a problem. I had someone tell me who physically saw the issue. I attached screenshots of just one website with thousands of comments reporting the same issue.
Exterior lighting, May 17, 2024
Driver side day headlight stopped working. Some in the warranty period and some out. A quick search online shows a lot of Durango owners having the same exact issue.
Exterior lighting, May 16, 2024
Drivers side daytime running light is out. Manufacturer defect plenty of dodge Durango vehicles are having the same common issue From 2021-2023 Durangos
Exterior lighting, May 14, 2024
Driver's side daytime running light burned out after 3 years.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 30, 2024
Water accumulates in the rear light bar. This has caused the LEDs to start flickering. This could cause issues in traffic, especially at night if the LEDs are flickering or not working completely. This issue is well known in the Durango community. Mopar is also aware of this. I can always see some water in the light bar after every rain. This vehicle has not been inspected by anyone yet. There are no warning lights associated with this issue. I first noticed the water after owning the vehicle for about 1 year.
Exterior lighting, Apr 28, 2024
The driver's side Daytime Running Lights (DRL) no longer operate. It is available for inspection. DRL have become a regular safety feature to improve visibility in daylight hours. I have not taken it to a dealer, as I do not want to be charged hundreds of dollars in "labor" for them to tell me it doesn't work. I have done research online in Forums and on YouTube, and have confirmed that there are numerous people with the same year, make and model who's driver's side DRL have stopped working just before or just after the 36,000/3 years. For example, my car has 46,000 miles on it when the DRL stopped working. Other's on the Forums who have had their vehicle inspected by the dealerships have confirmed that the entire light assembly needs to be replaced, at a cost of $1300, not including labor. There were no warning lamps or indications that the light went out, I saw my reflection in another car that was in front of me. There is no reason for an LED DRL to go bad after less than years and/or 46,000 miles and the owner then expected to buy a replacement part that costs $1300.
Exterior lighting, Feb 9, 2024
The liftgate light assembly (racetrack light) has defective gaskets which have allowed water to enter the assembly. The light now has a short resulting from the water and randomly flashes or goes out. This is troubling when following the vehicle as you cannot tell if it is a brake light coming on, hazards, or what the purpose of the random flashing light is.
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2024
Water intrusion into the rear taillights causing LED assembly to burn out. This potentially renders the vehicle not visible to other drivers at night time without running lights.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 27, 2023
Headlight Assembly DLR failures
Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2023
The driver side DRL has gone out. Passenger DRL is working perfect. Looked at dodge forums to see if others are having the same problem and there is MANY of the same complaints!
Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that he noticed that water was leaking into the taillights on inclement weather days. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. Additionally, the contact sent photos of the failure to the dealer; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not replace the taillights under warranty because no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 29, 2021
Auto leveling headlights are pointed too low, not providing enough lit view of the road at night. This is a constant issue and not intermittent. Not being able to see far enough ahead of a vehicle travelling at the speed limit, could cause harm or even death to the operator, passengers or objects in the road. Dealer confirmed lights are pointed too low. Vehicle has not been inspected by the Manufacturer, Police, Insurance Representative. It has only been inspected by the dealership. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. I just purchased this vehicle and it was like this when I purchased it.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2021
On my '21 Durango, the backup camera has been so horribly bright at night that I have come to putting my hand or a towel over the screen so that I can look at my side mirrors when backing up. I have visited the dealer and their resolution was to lower the brightness setting which had no effect on the backup camera. This is a huge safety issue backing up at night whether it's in a parking lot or driveway.
Exterior lighting, Jul 4, 2021
My rear tail lights are filling with water due to the fact the Dodge Durango tail lights are not fully sealed. Inevitably there will be a short and the lights will no longer work. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS COMMON PROBLEM thanks