VehicleVerdict

2021 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Dodge Durango is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 252 owner complaints run below the Durango median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Lighting leads the complaint categories with 79 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

252

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting7931%
Electrical System4116%
Engine2410%
Other208%
Driver Assistance198%
Body & Structure135%
Transmission104%
Fuel System94%
Airbags94%
Brakes83%
Tires & Wheels52%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Steering42%
Suspension31%
Speed Control21%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 2021 Dodge Durango have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V436000Driver AssistanceJune 13, 2024 · 1,033,433 units

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."

Consequence

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

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.

23V115000Body & StructureFebruary 23, 2023 · 139,019 units

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.

Consequence

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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 20A. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V-842.

22V284000EngineApril 28, 2022 · 1,308 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

22V154000SteeringMarch 14, 2022 · 931 units

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.

Consequence

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, LLC's number for this recall is Z18.

22V140000Electrical SystemMarch 10, 2022 · 370,437 units

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."

Consequence

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 US, LLC's number for this recall is Z20.

21V842000Body & StructureOctober 28, 2021 · 4,837 units

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.

Consequence

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 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y73.

21V280000AirbagsApril 22, 2021 · 2,721 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Daytime running LED does not work and headlight is not properly lit in the dark. Headlight assembly is not covered by extended warranty.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 15, 2024 · crash

I'm having issues with my 2021 Dodge Durango I have a recall on a rear view camera a recall on a rear spoiler a recall on the steering assembly a recall on the ESC light mail function ABS system loose airbags

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 16, 2026 · crash

I'm having issues with my 2021 Dodge Durango I have a recall on a rear view camera a recall on a rear spoiler a recall on the steering assembly a recall on the ESC light mail function ABS system loose airbags

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 16, 2026 · crash

Vehicle was parked/backed in on a right slope. Crunk the vehicle and it instantly started rolling and we couldn’t get it to stop. My safety and others safety was at risk because the vehicle could’ve hit anyone walking in the parking lot, incoming vehicle or easily hit the building where people…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 30, 2024 · crash

In the smallest snow flurry while driving the FCW system, as well as the ACC system will disable themselves because the system reports the sensor is blocked. This has happened every time I drive in any kind of currently falling snow. If I stop the car, wipe the sensor off, and continue driving, the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 8, 2021

2021 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 2021 Dodge Durango reliable?

It is close to typical for the Durango: 252 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (79 complaints), electrical system (41 complaints), engine (24 complaints).

Does the 2021 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Durango years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Durango years to avoid are 1999, 2005, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2014, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2002, 2018, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Durango years belongs to 1997.

How safe is the 2021 Dodge Durango?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Dodge Durango earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.