CSR

Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2021 Dodge Durango

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

187

Complaints

9

Crashes

4

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Dodge Durango have filed 187 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2021 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the exterior lighting, named in 80 of them (43%). The typical failure was reported at 30,500 miles, the median across the 29 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (7)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

24V436000 · June 13, 2024

The defect
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."
The risk
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 1,033,433 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

23V115000 · February 23, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged rear spoiler can detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 139,019 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

22V284000 · April 28, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 1,308 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

22V154000 · March 14, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
Difficulty steering, or a loss of steering control, can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 931 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

22V140000 · March 10, 2022

The defect
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."
The risk
An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 370,437 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY

21V842000 · October 28, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 4,837 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

21V280000 · April 22, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 2,721 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 187.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 80 43%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39 21%
ENGINE 22 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22 12%
STRUCTURE 13 7%
AIR BAGS 10 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10 5%
POWER TRAIN 10 5%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 9 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6 3%
STEERING 4 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 55.

2021 2025 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 7,700 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11747956, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 44,722 miles

The contact owned a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and turning in an exit veering to the right when the vehicle began reducing in speed and the vehicle was displaying numbers counting down on the instrument panel. The contact pulled to the side of the road where they turned the vehicle off and waited approximately 5 - 10 minutes before turning the vehicle back on and driving to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure therefore they were unable to diagnose the cause. The vehicle had not been repaired. Approximately 3 weeks after while driving approximately 40 mph when attempting to go on a roundabout when the vehicle began

NHTSA complaint 11510847, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 57,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while her mother was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle that had slammed on its brakes. The contact stated that the proceeding vehicle then crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that her mother was involved in a four-car pileup. The air bags did not deploy. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The contact's mother sustained arm and neck inquires. Medical attention was needed. The contact's mother received medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA complaint 11557257. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

Was in a major car crash and air bags did not deploy

NHTSA complaint 11705096. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Started having problems with the engine losing power and sputtering was told by a repair shop that the engine needs replaced it has been sitting since

NHTSA complaint 11755126. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Drivers side daytime running lights out. I’ve noticed about a dozen more dodge durangos running lights are also out. Seems to be a manufactured problem. A lot of forums and conversations on Reddit complaining of the same. It cost about 500 dollars to replace the headlight and takes all day due to dismantling the whole front bimper and plastic components to get access. A really bad design

NHTSA complaint 11754067. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The component that failed is the rear spoiler of the Durango. There is already a recall in place. The vehicle was inspected a few years ago and passed. Then, the issue happened where it fell off while driving, damaging the back hatch of the Durango. After speaking with the dealership, they refused to fix the problem because they stated they already checked the recall and it passed. But it's still a recall. And it fell off while I was driving almost damaging the vehicle behind me. In causing serious accident

NHTSA complaint 11750152. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My fuel pump went out without codes. My car stalled out on a highway while I was going 65 miles an hour with my baby in my car , and would not crank back up or go into neutral . No , it has not been to dealer it is broke down and I had to have it towed home. My husband is a mechanic and has thoroughly inspected all components, the fuel pump went out . No. This is a common problem in 2021 dodges and challengers . This is very dangerous for drivers on the highway . This issue should be fixed .

NHTSA complaint 11749878. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire

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

NHTSA complaint 11748841, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Durango

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 27 1
2022 55 6
2020 54 2
2019 141 4
2018 229 5
2017 210 2
2016 160 3
2015 503 4
2014 781 11
2013 640 11
2012 638 10
2011 797 8

Other 2021 Dodge models

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles, 431 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst