Third generation (WD/WK)
2016 Dodge Durango
The most reported problem on the 2016 Dodge Durango is tail light failure, with 37 complaints, usually around 50,000 miles.
- 161owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 23involved a crash
- 41,100median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Durango doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Dodge Durango reliable?
The 2016 Dodge Durango has 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Durango model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 15 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs below the 2017 (21). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Tail light failure leads with 37 of the 161 complaints (23%), ahead of stalling at 13. A quarter of the 26 owners who gave a mileage for tail light failure saw it by about 40,000 miles, and half by about 50,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 29 of the 161 complaints (18%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 23 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 13 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as tail light failure. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 42 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 6. So far in 2026, 2 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: tail lights or brake lights fail, 37 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
161 complaints is 1.6 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 1.5 times fewer than the median 2016 SUV. Among the 8 Durango model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Dodge Durango
Dodge filed 302 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Dodge Durango. 30 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Tail lights or brake lights fail 2 bulletins · 37 complaints
License Plate LED Light Inoperative - Moisture Visible Within the Lens The customer may experience the following: ? There is a potential for water intrusion which over time could lead to an inoperable license plate lamp.
License Plate LED Light Inoperative - Moisture Visible Within the Lens This bulletin involves inspecting the license plate LED lamp for being inoperative or visible signs of moisture within the LED lamp housing and if necessary replacing the LED and ...
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Switch Replace This bulletin involves replacing the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Switch due to heated steering wheel shutting off too soon.
Check engine light or misfire 8 bulletins · 7 complaints
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air ...
3.6L PSU Long Block Misfire DTC codes and/or rough idle and/or valvetrain noise. Refer to SOL # S2509000004. It is also important to confirm that the vehicle being repaired has the latest calibration/software update for oil pump operation mode (high pressure ...
6 more on this problem
3.6L PSU Long Block Misfire DTC codes and/or rough idle and/or valvetrain noise. These conditions may be related to worn intake camshaft high lift lobe(s), and intake rocker arm(s) high lift slider. High mileage failure (10,000-60,000 miles). 1.
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter ...
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure. See photo attached.
EGR Temperature Sensor This Tech Tip applies to 2016MY Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) with the 3.6L Pentastar engine (ERC)~ Prior to replacing a component due to any of the following DTCs - P0401, P040B, P2457, P04D0, P04D1, P04D2, or P04CE ...
Battery dies or the car will not start 8 bulletins · 7 complaints
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Message Service Start Stop System
6 more on this problem
No Start, Cannot Complete Module Replace, Proxi Or Module Proxi Configuration
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
Overcharging/Undercharging DTC?s Interior And Exterior Lamps Flicker, Electronic Stop/Start (ESS) Operates Intermittently, Crank No Start, Vehicle Will Not Restart After ESS Stop
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Messages to Service Shifter or Service Start Stop System
Keyfob 2016 Vehicle Keyfobs with Passive Entry Keyless Go Feature - Engineering is investigating a keyfob unable to program or no function or low keyfob coin battery condition.~ Prior to replacing keyfob on MY16 vehicles, please contact Raja Charabuddi on ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 6 bulletins · 6 complaints
Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00, B1A16-00, and B1A17-00 in The Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
RADIO [RES] New and/or Service Exchange For RES radio concerns. Use the wiTECH 2.0 and inspect the radio part number and serial number under the Radio/ECU Details tab. Please verify that the radio part number and/or serial number is not "FFFF".
4 more on this problem
RA3 and RA4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software. Customers may experience one or more of the following:?Navigation Failed? message is displayed. Navigation is inoperative or inaccurate.
Rear View Camera In the case for inoperative camera, radio screen is blue or black in reverse mode. Before proceeding with the normal procedure call Ali Ikram at (248) 576-9265 Mon- Fri between 8 am- 4pm.
RA3 RA4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and, if required, updating the radio software. A small number of customers may experience one or more of the following: · Navigation failed message is displayed.
SUBJECT: RA3 RA4 Radio Enhancements OVERVIEW: This bulletin involves inspecting and, if required, updating the radio software.
Seat belt or seat problems 3 bulletins · 6 complaints
Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X88 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed.
Panel, Front Seat Back For WK and WD Bodies ONLY: If the customers are complaining the seat back panel is loose or has poor fit at top edge, side and bottom please call Dan Jovan on cell: (248) 760-4348.~ If no response within 15 minutes, please continue with ...
1 more on this problem
Customers may describe a chirping or squeaking coming from the rear second row seat headrest(s) while driving.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
(Revision A) Clunk Noise From Rear Suspension
Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system.
Complaints filed by year
42 complaints came in 2019, 1.9 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Active head rest inadvertent deployment. Closed feb 25, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Vehicle rollaway. Closed jan 25, 2024.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Dodge Durango
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S85.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front left brake caliper and depending on its casting date, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 12, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S16.
All 3 recalls on the 2016 Dodge Durango, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Dodge Durango?
Tail light failure, with 37 of the 161 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 50,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Durango problems start?
Of the 105 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 21,000 miles and half by about 41,000.
Is the 2016 Dodge Durango better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has fewer complaints than the 2017: 15 a year against 21.
How many 2016 Dodge Durango complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
29 of them (18%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for tail light failure on the 2016 Dodge Durango?
No recall on file for the 2016 Dodge Durango is on the same system as tail light failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.