Third generation (WD/WK)
2021 Dodge Durango
The most reported problem on the 2021 Dodge Durango is headlights, with 44 complaints, usually around 55,000 miles.
- 202owner complaints
- 8recalls
- 10involved a crash
- 40,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 24, 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 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Dodge Durango reliable?
The 2021 Dodge Durango has 202 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Durango model years since 2014, it has the 5th 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 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 34 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2020 draws 8 and the 2022 11.
- Top problem
- Headlights leads with 44 of the 202 complaints (22%), ahead of tail light failure at 20. A quarter of the 11 owners who gave a mileage for headlights saw it by about 40,000 miles, and half by about 55,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 14 of the 202 complaints (7%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 10 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 5 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 6 of 10, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as headlights. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 55, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 52 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: headlights too dim or fail, 44 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
202 complaints is about the median for a 2021 model on this site and about the median for a 2021 SUV. Among the 8 Durango model years here it ranks 5th 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 2021 Dodge Durango
Dodge filed 561 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Dodge Durango. 47 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 · 20 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 ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 28 bulletins · 19 complaints
Uconnect® Screen Turns Blank Or Black Customers may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● The Uconnect® screen display goes blank/black at times.
Power Liftgate Intermittently Inoperative. Will Not Open/ Close. Liftgate/Hatch Ajar Message Displayed. Rev A
26 more on this problem
Power Liftgate Intermittently Inoperative. Will Not Open/ Close. Liftgate/Hatch Ajar Message Displayed.
Radio Message "Power Surge On USB Detected" Customers may comment on the following: ● The radio displays the message: “Power surge on USB hub detected” Fig. 1. NOTE: After the message appears, no USB devices function in the hub (no charging, no data).
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)
Uconnect Box Requires Service, Please Visit an Authorized Dealer Message on Display Message With DTCs B1498-13, B1498-19 or B1570-93
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Displays Warning Lamps or Messages for Loss of Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS)
Apple CarPlay Does Not Complete The First Initial Wireless Connection.
Navigation (NAV) Reboot When MOTA Fails The customer may describe one of more of the following: ? Radio navigation continues to reboot after a Map Update (MOTA). ? Navigation regularly cuts out and back on again.
Telematics Box Module (TBM) wiTECH update to 4.36 Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? Uconnect box requires service message (Fig. 1) . ? Uconnect box backup ?battery low? message on the radio. ? WiFi hotspot streaming lost.
Cluster Displays ?Lamp Out? Message, Turn Signal Inoperative
Flash: Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Plus 16 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
Fuel Nozzle Premature Shut Off The customer may experience the following: ? Hard to fill fuel tank, premature fuel nozzle shut off. This bulletin involves inspecting and replacing the fuel filler tube
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 4 bulletins · 8 complaints
Application Of Grease In Pads/Clips Customer may experience one or more of the following: ● Brake pulsation/vibration. ● Squealing/squeaking/grinding noise when braking. ● Vehicle pulls to one side when braking.
Front Brake Noise, Inboard Pad Wear, Brake Pull.
2 more on this problem
Poor Brake Pedal Feel After Recent Repair. Pedal Travel And Or Excessive Pedal Travel.
Customer may complain of a MIL lamp on. Upon further investigation there could be a fault code in the PCM for P1524 ? Oil Pressure Out of Range ? Camshaft Advance/Retard Disabled.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 7 bulletins · 7 complaints
WATER PUMP
Water Pump & Chain Case Cover
5 more on this problem
Suspected Engine Coolant Leak
PUMP WATER For 2016-2024MY 3.6L Pentastar Upgrade with suspected coolant leak. PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT, PROCEED WITH INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE LATEST VERSION OF STAR ONLINE PUBLICATION S2307000002.
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
Customer complains of a MIL-on condition. Upon further inspection, there is a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0128 Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) set in the PCM.
Fuel pump failure 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
Extended Crank Condition Due To Loss of Fuel Pressure Customers may experience the following: ● Extended engine crank condition. This bulletin involves performing a fuel pressure test and possibly replacing the fuel pump module.
FUEL PUMP/LEVEL UNIT MODULE For vehicles with Saddle Fuel Tanks, need to determine if there are any DTCs in wiTECH. Follow Service Diagnostics published prior to making any changes. Review any existing SOL or TSBs published for customer complaint issue.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
WHEEL, Aluminum If a customer complains that all of the wheels are the wrong color, do not replace the wheels if the unit is equipped with sales code WHW (Hyper Black wheels).
Backup camera goes black or freezes 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
Flash: Display Screen Module (DSM) System Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the DSM with the latest available software. Customers may experience one or more of the following: Rear view camera brightness is to bright at night(WD only).
Complaints filed by year
55 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Dodge Durango
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 8 recalls on the 2021 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 2021 Dodge Durango?
Headlights, with 44 of the 202 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 55,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Dodge Durango problems start?
Of the 54 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 18,000 miles and half by about 40,000.
Is the 2021 Dodge Durango better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 34 a year against 8 and 11.
How many 2021 Dodge Durango complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
14 of them (7%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for headlights on the 2021 Dodge Durango?
No recall on file for the 2021 Dodge Durango is on the same system as headlights. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.