2021 Dodge Durango Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 6, 2026 · 203 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Durango years
Fewer complaints than other years 17th of 29 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Dodge Durango. That ranks 17th out of 29 Durango model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (90 complaints, 44%), typically at around 46,500 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Dodge Durango
Dodge Durango in SoHo, Manhattan. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kidfly182, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2021 Dodge Durango problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Exterior Lighting90 · ~46,500 mi
Electrical System40 · ~1,280 mi
Unknown or Other24 · ~1,140 mi
Engine22 · ~19,000 mi
Structure15 · ~29,000 mi
Air Bags11 · ~7,700 mi
Fuel/propulsion System11
Power Train10 · ~63,000 mi
Back Over Prevention9 · ~700 mi
Service Brakes7 · ~44,722 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Exterior Lighting problems9044%46,500“daytime running” (40%)$1,400
Electrical System4020%1,280——
Unknown or Other2412%1,140——
Engine2211%19,000——
Structure157%29,000——
Air Bags115%7,700——
Fuel/propulsion System115%———
Power Train105%63,000——
Back Over Prevention94%700——
Service Brakes73%44,722——
Forward Collision Avoidance63%1,140——
Engine and Engine Cooling42%59,000——
Steering42%1,427——
Visibility/wiper42%———
Suspension31%———
Wheels31%30,500——
Lane Departure21%———
Seat Belts21%———
Tires21%———
Vehicle Speed Control21%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)10%———
Equipment10%336——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10%———
Visibility10%68,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 55 complaints
2021: 122021122022: 172022172023: 212023212024: 452024452025: 552025552026: 53202653

n = 203 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 Dodge Durango recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgateAug 13, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V528000 · 74,578 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraJun 13, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V436000 · 1,033,433 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgateFeb 23, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V115000 · 139,019 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)Apr 28, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V284000 · 1,308 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Steering:rack and pinionMar 14, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V154000 · 931 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/moduleMar 10, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V140000 · 370,437 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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

Fix: 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.

Structure:bodyOct 28, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V842000 · 4,837 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:critical fasteners; air bags:side/window:curtainApr 22, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V280000 · 2,721 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Oct 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769360

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…

Structure · received Sep 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766613

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Sep 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766455

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…

Air Bags · received Sep 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11765958

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…

Exterior Lighting · received Aug 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11761144

Other Dodge Durango years

← 2020 Durango · 2022 Durango →

See all Dodge Durango problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Owners most often report exterior lighting, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 90 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 Dodge Durango a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Durango model years, the 2021 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.