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2021 Dodge Durango

The Verdict

54 Proceed with Caution

The 2021 Dodge Durango has 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (111 complaints) and body (49 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 54/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Durango, consider the 2025 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Dodge Durango dashboard →

54

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 5

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

26V528000 STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

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...

Risk

A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning September 10, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysl...

Reported Aug 21, 2026

23V115000 STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

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.

Risk

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

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 1-800-853-14...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

22V154000 STEERING:RACK AND PINION

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, po...

Risk

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

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

21V842000 STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Risk

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

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

22V140000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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 ...

Risk

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

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...

Reported Oct 3, 2022

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20006527791176107
2001336501207599
200218961586166
200314531885618
20041212030059775
2005119141971051184
2006522212360842
200748115713523
200819029462
200941742
2011347037129034
2012556727022225
20131166523719327
2014244243899631
201514162665832
2016392732026
20173761114119
20185025112379
2019242357327
20201332883
2021497111325
20229331143
20235218104
202442252
202511420

By Category

Electrical
111
Body
49
Engine
32
Brakes
7
Transmission
5

By Severity

1
106
2
84
4
14

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 1

The rear license plate light burned out and I was pulled over. I ordered 2 new lights and installed them. Neither worked. I put the old lights back in and then both stopped working. Then the race track light failed. Additionally, the front headlight race track also failed. This is a know manufacturing defect in these cars and nothing is being done about it. Took the vehicle to a repair shop and they said the entire rear race track needs replaced. The part is 1800 and back ordered until 2027. The labor is an additional 1500. This is totally unacceptable and the car should be repaired at no cost. There is literally a class action law suit going on over this well documented issue.

4d ago
Electrical 1

Day time running light gone out

6d ago
Engine 2

Driving down the I-10 early morning there was a loud bang, didnt notice anything in the road ahead of me so I kept driving for another mile or so until I heard something dragging. Activated my trunk camera and saw sparks flying. Pulled off the freeway and found my fuel line dragging on the ground and fuel spilling out the bottom of my fuel tank.

20d ago
Body 1

On XXX I had to have the rear window replaced as it shattered on Royal Palm Beach Community High School property in [XXX]. Earlier that morning before heading to work I stopped to get gas and cleaned the rear window at the XXX on the corner of [XXX]. When I went out to my car on break I noticed the rear window had a large hole in it. I contacted school police and they confirmed no one was near my car. I scheduled the fix and Safe Lite came to my work and replaced the windshield in the parking lot, under school surveillance [XXX]. My out of pocket cost was $50.00 which I put on my capital one credit card, even though I could ill afford it. In XXX my husband and I moved to [XXX], during one of the many 3.5 hour trips across the state, the ENTIRE REAR SPOILER ASSEMBLY DETACHED WHILE I WAS MERGING ONTO XXX. I did not know it at the time. Later I realized the assembly was no longer attached and there was a wire hanging down, getting hit by the wiper blade. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while pulling up to the residence, there was a gurgling sound coming from the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, the gurgling sound got louder. The contact's husband opened the trunk, and the coolant reservoir exploded. The dealer was contacted by phone. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,500.

1mo ago
Electrical 4

The vehicle was involved in a collision that resulted in deployment of the frontal airbag system. After obtaining the vehicle following the collision, I observed what appears to be an abnormal deployment of the front passenger airbag. The driver frontal airbag deployed outward from the steering wheel into the driver occupant area. However, the front passenger airbag appears to have deployed underneath and/or inside the instrument panel rather than fully deploying outward into the front passenger occupant space. The passenger airbag is visibly located behind and underneath portions of the dashboard. During deployment, the upper passenger-side instrument panel was severely displaced and torn. A large portion of the dashboard was pushed upward toward the windshield, and the dashboard covering separated and tore near the windshield. The airbag itself appears to have remained substantially trapped or obstructed behind the instrument panel instead of fully presenting itself in front of the passenger seating position. This raises a serious safety concern because the purpose of the passenger frontal airbag is to provide occupant protection during a qualifying collision. Based on the condition observed after the crash, I am concerned that a passenger seated in this position may not have received the intended protection from the airbag because of the manner in which it deployed. The vehicle and the relevant components are currently available for inspection. Detailed photographs have been taken documenting the condition of the passenger airbag, instrument panel, dashboard damage, driver airbag deployment, and surrounding components. The vehicle has not been repaired in this area since I discovered the condition, and I am preserving the relevant components so they can be examined if requested. At this time, it is UNKNOWN whether there were any airbag/SRS warning lamps or warning messages before the collision because I was not the owner/operator of the vehicle when the collision

1mo ago
Electrical 2

The driver side daytime running lamp no longer works after 55000 miles. The daytime running lamp (DRL) is an led light strip that requires the entire headlamp to be replaced. Anyone can inspect the issue at any time. The issue presents a risk to oncoming traffic who cannot see my entire vehicle especially at dawn / dusk and foggy days. The daytime running lamp is utilized to alert oncoming traffic and pedestrians that a car is approaching. The dodge dealership that I purchased the car from is aware of the issue and has neglected to resolve the issue. An independent auto mechanic has confirmed that the DRL is malfunctioning. There weren't any warning signs or messages. The light just shut off and has not turned back on. A new running lamp is $1200 and requires approximately $500 in labor to install. This is not an issue that is simply solved by changing out a $20 light bulb. The issue began about 2 months ago.

1mo ago
Body 1

The vehicle’s manufacturer-installed infotainment system repeatedly displays an intrusive error message while the vehicle is being operated. The message obstructs the navigation display and requires the driver to manually interact with the touchscreen to dismiss it. This creates visual and manual driver distraction. The manufacturer/dealer has been notified at Carvana Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Sacramento.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

Drivers side running light went out at 65k miles. Hundreds of complaints on same issue online. Not covered after bumper to bumper

1mo ago
Body 1

Rear Spoiler Recall in 2022 on Dodge Durango GT. Recall was not fixed due to part not available. I opened my rear hatch on Monday August the 18th and the rear spoiler detached on the left side. I took it to Interstate Dodge in [XXX] on Tuesday XXX due to rear spoiler problem could raise risk of a crash. I called Stellantis who handles recalls to get them to pay for the repair and they stated that is the dealership decides to charge me or not and their is nothing they can do. I personally think the manufacturer should be held responsible and pay full repair cost due to it being a recall and they did not manufacture a repair part for this specific recall. The vehicle was inspected by Interstate Dodge during the recall but being there was no part to repair it nothing was done. If this would have happened while I was driving it someone could have been injured. The recall stated that it could come off while driving the vehicle or when opening the back hatch. Dodge headquarters should be responsible for the repair and not leave it up to the dealership to decide. The dealership is there to make money not help the consumer. I did speak to the service department at Interstate Dodge and they stated they would not honor the recall. The Stellantis department did try to contact the dealership but no one answered nor tried to contact them back. Stellantis even emailed the dealership and got not response. I think the dealership should honor the recall and fix it free of charge. The dealership has had my vehicle since XXX and still has not picked up the spoiler from where the had it painted. Supposedly they will pick it up today, XXX at 3:30 and attach the spoiler tomorrow before lunch for me to pick up. I have to pay in full when I pick the vehicle up. Can I be reimbursed for this after your office investigates this matter? Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2mo ago
Electrical 1

The driver side headlight is malfunctioning causing the daytime running light to not work.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

My vehicle is 5 years old with 54,000 miles on its and my driver's side headlight has failed. The headlamps are LED and in order to repair them, the entire housing needs a replacement, not just a bulb. My headlights need to be operational in order to drive safely at night. I have an appointment with the dealership to confirm the issue. There were not any warnings or failure symptoms.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

Half my taillight went out randomly, causing only half of it to work at night.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Driver side DRL went out at 50k miles.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

Drivers side running lights are not working. So you are forced to turn off daytime running lights or have one out. This seems to be a very common issue with dodge Durango for some reason.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing headlight/turn signal failure on my 2021 Dodge Durango involving the factory LED turn signals that are sealed/encased within the headlight assemblies. The driver-side front LED turn signal failed first, and now the passenger-side front LED turn signal has also failed. Because these LED turn signals are integrated into the sealed headlight assemblies, this is not a simple situation where a standard turn signal bulb can be replaced. The failure can require replacement of the headlight assembly, making what should normally be a basic safety-related lighting repair significantly more expensive. I am concerned that this may be a widespread defect affecting Dodge vehicles equipped with this style of LED headlight/turn signal assembly, rather than normal wear. Both sides failing on the same vehicle raises concerns regarding the durability and expected service life of the integrated LED turn signal components. Turn signals are an important vehicle safety feature used to communicate a driver's intentions to other motorists and pedestrians. When an integrated LED turn signal fails, other drivers may not be able to clearly see that the vehicle is turning or changing lanes, increasing the potential for an accident. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate complaints involving premature failure of the integrated/encased LED turn signals and headlight assemblies on the 2021 Dodge Durango and other similarly equipped Dodge vehicles. If these failures are determined to be caused by a common defect in the LED components, wiring, electronics, or headlight assembly design, I believe the manufacturer should be required to provide an appropriate remedy rather than requiring vehicle owners to bear the expense of replacing complete headlight assemblies for failed safety lighting components.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

It’s known that the DRL and race track tail lights go out faster than what they should. Also the tail lights once the lift gate is open on the edges of both sides are very sharp. My DRL on my 21 Durango with only 59k miles just went out. That is way to fast and the price to fix is insane

2mo ago
Electrical 1

There is a daytime running light (DRL) malfunction with both headlights, it started with the drivers side slowly going out and now the passenger side is slowly going out. This is happening to several Dodge Durango owners of the 2021 model and can be found in the Dodge Durango forum online. The dealer stated it’s an out of pocket expense because the DRL is out and the entire component needs replaced. This is inaccurate because when I turn off the DRL settings the turning signal flashes orange fast so this tells me it’s not completely out and the headlights themselves work. My car has been this way for over a year because I can’t afford to spend $1500+ per light replacement and for the dealer to claim it has to be an out of pocket expense is not okay because the point of LED lights are because they use less energy while lasting 25x as much so it doesn’t make sense that they stopped turning on versus the non LED. While driving around I’ve seen SEVERAL Dodge Durango with a DRL out or both or one out and the other half way out so this confirms it’s a manufacture issue. I came across forums of people with this issue and full extended warranty coverages where they’re being told it’s not covered. Dodge(Mopar) needs to address this for the consumer as it causes a safety issue when the left/right turning signals are not properly displayed. The car wouldn’t pass a safety test. Myself and several Dodge Durango owners are currently at risk of being in a car accident due to this malfunction. The full assembly does not need replaced. Please look this over and issue a safety recall as my family and I are at risk because I can’t afford a $3000 headlight replacement that isn’t even needed. That’s just the dealer and Mopar trying to make more $$$ while not worried about the safety of their customers.

2mo ago
Engine 1

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

2mo ago
Electrical 1

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

2mo ago

204 total

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