2020 Dodge Durango Safety Report
2020 Dodge Durango Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Dodge Durango
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Dodge Durango. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (49) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Dodge Durango with 28 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Dodge Durango before buying across this generation. |
Dodge Durango Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Dodge Durango years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dodge Durango | 167 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Dodge Durango | 131 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Dodge Durango | 50 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Dodge Durango | 221 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Dodge Durango | 28 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Dodge Durango | 204 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Dodge Durango Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Dodge Durango, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Exterior Lighting
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Dodge onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Dodge onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Dodge onlyElectrical System,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Dodge onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Dodge onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Dodge Durango
Reliability Score
The 2020 Dodge Durango receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Dodge Durango
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Dodge Durango
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Dodge Durango:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bag Fasteners Chrysler is recalling 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles due to critical fasteners for the side air bags. This can lead to air bags not deploying properly in a crash. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Water ingress in rear taillights and racetrack running lights can cause premature failure, affecting visibility and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Power Loss Under heavy load or high RPM, the engine may shake and lose power, reducing vehicle performance and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Column Rubbing Steering column rubbing against the brake line can cause brake line rupture, posing a fire hazard and potential safety risk. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Dodge Durango:
23% of reported issues are related to air bag fasteners.
40% of reported issues are related to exterior lighting problems.
17% of reported issues are related to engine power loss.
10% of reported issues are related to steering column rubbing.
Recall Details for the 2020 Dodge Durango
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Dodge Durango by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe...
Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Dodge Durango
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Dodge Durango with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 involved fires. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon leaving a parking lot, the air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V280000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not ...
1, The rear taillights fill up with water making it difficult to see the lights when breaking. 2, The engine had to be repaired due to power failure and was told that the cams and lifters were worn out on drivers' side at 85000 miles. The garage said this should not have happened. And that they have had to repair other vehicles too and Dodge would not cover it.
The rear tail lights and the rear “race track” running light have allowed water to enter causing premature failure of a large portion of the light(s). These are not user serviceable parts and should be completely sealed from the elements. Eventually, the entire ‘marker light’ portion of the the taillights and race track with be completely non-functioning causing the vehicle to have no rear illum...
Water had accumulated in the racetrack led light in the center of the trunk. Causing light to short circuit and lose taillight, license plate light, and back up lights as well.
Under heavy load or high RPM the engine starts shaking badly and the engine loses power and is very unresponsive to throttle. After 30 seconds of light use the problem goes away but comes back immediately upon heavy load or high rpms. There is a technical service bulletin about this, TSB: 09-011-25. The computer indicates a severe misfire on cylinder #1. I first took the Durango to my mechanic s...
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that moments after starting the vehicle and while driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact suddenly felt a sharp burning pain in the buttocks area. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle and discovered a burn hole in the clothing and a skin burn to the buttocks. While inspecting the vehicle, a burn hole was discovered in the front dri...
Vehicle has begun (and is getting worse) to crank with no start on first attempt. I know there was a recall on earlier model for the fuel pump relay.
When accelerating, the vehicle tends to lose all power and starts to decelerate and check engine lights comes on, also states the start stop function is disable. Really tough trying to drive on highways because of this happening quite often.
Puerto Rico State Government vehicle (Policia de Puerto Rico). Front panel lights show a Warning/safety panel light related to Air Bags. Same as Dodge Charger that have an urgent safety recall by Dodge.
When accelerating to pass another car in front of us on a 2 lane highway we experienced a loss of power and all instrumentation flashed on/off/on, then it posted a check engine light and stated that auto start stop wasn't working. Power came back and we finished the pass but it could have resulted in a head on collision.
The racetrack lighting on the tailgate had water in it and dodge refused to repair or replace...now I have no racetrack lighting and no tag light and they still will not help.
Manufacture defect, steering column rubbing against brake line causing brake line to rupture causing damages with possible danger of fire or possible collision
After vehicle battery replacement, infotainment system not working properly, to include the backup camera not engaging in reverse.
The TIPM (totally intergrated power module) is faulty. The dealer has confirmed this. I have a crank no start on my vehicle. When being inspected the dealer also showed me a melted fuse in the tipm which Is very concerning. This issue occurs daily multiple times a day. There were no check engine lights to help diagnose this issue.
I was driving and the passenger active headrest exploded randomly without any impacts happening
There is a software defect that could result in injury or death: if you forget to turn the car off and exit the car with the car key, there is no warning. I am hard of hearing and sometimes do not notice that I did not turn the car off because I cannot hear the hum of engine, and, because the car uses a key fob, rather than an ignition key, you can leave the car with the key but while the car is s...
My rear wheel on the driver side of the vehicle would not allow me to go or roll like the other three tires so I had to come off the road and head to the nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to try to get help for my vehichle, due to having a warranty on my tires until 2028. My safety and the safety of others was put at high risk, as I could not control the swaying movement of the vehicle and assu...
The break lights do not have a proper seal and the LED lights are shorted out on the rear exterior brake lights. This is a safety issue and should be recalled.
Taillight "racetrack" style went completely due to water and moisture. Had to spend over $1200 and some change just to replace the unit. No license plate light either due to water damage.
During driving the catalytic converter rubbed through both rear brake lines and was rubbing on fuel line as well. 100% stock vehicle with no modifications and has never been in an accident. Checked similar vehicles at local dealership and they seem to have the same issue with brake lines rubbing against exhaust
Showing 20 of 49 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Dodge Durango
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Seats
Opened 2019-09-09 · Closed 2026-02-25
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deploy...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Dodge Durango
Has the 2020 DODGE DURANGO been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 DODGE DURANGO has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 DODGE DURANGO have?
The 2020 DODGE DURANGO has 49 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
The 2020 DODGE DURANGO received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 DODGE DURANGO involve exterior lighting (14 complaints), engine (4 complaints), unknown or other (4 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, electrical system,engine, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2020 DODGE DURANGO have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2020 DODGE DURANGO in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2020 DODGE DURANGO have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2020 DODGE DURANGO out of 49 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 DODGE DURANGO.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 DODGE DURANGO. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 DODGE DURANGO is generally recommended. It has 49 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 DODGE DURANGO are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (14 complaints), 2. ENGINE (4 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (2 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 14 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
Be cautious of air bag fasteners and exterior lighting issues. Consider a thorough inspection and maintenance, especially if you experience any unusual symptoms. The 2020 DODGE DURANGO has 49 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
The 2020 DODGE DURANGO receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 49 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air Bag Fasteners and Exterior Lighting.
What are the known issues with the 2020 DODGE DURANGO?
Known issues with the 2020 DODGE DURANGO include: Air Bag Fasteners, Exterior Lighting, Engine Power Loss, Steering Column Rubbing. These are based on patterns found across 49 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Dodge Durango?
Yes, there is a recall for air bag fasteners that could affect air bag deployment.
What are the common issues with the exterior lighting?
Water ingress in rear taillights and racetrack running lights can cause premature failure.
Can the engine power loss be fixed?
Yes, engine power loss can be addressed by repairing or replacing the engine components.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of air bag fasteners and exterior lighting issues. Consider a thorough inspection and maintenance, especially if you experience any unusual symptoms.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Dodge Durango
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Dodge Durango. The data includes 49 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Dodge Durango an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14