2021 Dodge Durango Safety Report

2021 Dodge Durango: Good Crash Ratings, But Plagued by Lighting Failures and Multiple Safety Recalls

167Complaints
7Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
8Crash Reports
3Fire Reports
3Injuries
Most reported components: Exterior Lighting (53)Electrical System,Exterior Lighting (15)Structure (11)Unknown Or Other (9)Engine (8)Back Over Prevention (6)Electrical System (5)Power Train (4)Service Brakes (3)Power Train,Engine (3)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Dodge Durango

The 2021 Dodge Durango presents a mixed safety picture, with a notable number of consumer complaints despite generally good crash test ratings. NHTSA recorded 167 total complaints, including 8 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 injuries. The vehicle received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA, with 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 3 stars for rollover. However, the high volume of complaints, particularly concerning exterior lighting, suggests potential design or manufacturing flaws impacting daily safety and reliability. Common complaint patterns heavily revolve around exterior lighting, accounting for 53 complaints for 'EXTERIOR LIGHTING' and an additional 15 for 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING'. Many owners report premature failure of LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and issues with tail lights accumulating water, leading to burnout. These are significant safety concerns as they reduce vehicle visibility and communication with other drivers. Other notable complaint areas include 'STRUCTURE' (11 complaints) and 'ENGINE' (8 complaints), with some reports of engine cooling system failures leading to engine damage. The recall history for the 2021 Dodge Durango is extensive, with 7 recalls addressing critical safety components. These include issues with the rearview camera (BACK OVER PREVENTION), potential detachment of the rear spoiler (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE), unexpected loss of drive power due to EGR valve issues (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), steering control loss from insufficiently hardened steering gear rack bars (STEERING:RACK AND PINION), and incorrect side air bag deployment due to loose fasteners (AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS). The presence of multiple recalls for fundamental safety systems indicates several manufacturing or design deficiencies that required corrective action by the manufacturer. While crash test performance is decent, the high number of complaints and recalls highlight areas where real-world safety and reliability may fall short.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Dodge Durango receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2021 Dodge Durango

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Dodge Durango:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Daytime Running Light (Drl) Failure
Driver side LED DRLs frequently fail, requiring entire headlight assembly replacement, which is costly and reduces vehicle visibility.		 Medium Common 40000-80000 miles
Rear Tail Light Water Intrusion And Failure
Rear racetrack tail lights accumulate water, leading to short circuits and burnout, posing a safety hazard due to reduced rear visibility.		 Medium Common unknown miles
Rearview Camera Malfunction
Rearview camera image may not display, decreasing driver visibility and increasing crash risk (subject of a recall).		 High Occasional unknown miles
Rear Spoiler Detachment
Rear spoiler may be misaligned, leading to damage and potential detachment, becoming a road hazard (subject of a recall).		 Medium Occasional unknown miles
Engine Cooling System Failure
Ruptured coolant lines can lead to engine overheating and failure, resulting in unexpected loss of power.		 High Occasional 50000-80000 miles
Steering Control Loss
Steering gear rack bar may be insufficiently hardened, potentially leading to difficulty or loss of steering control (subject of a recall).		 High Rare unknown miles
Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (Sabic) Fastener Issue
Loose or missing SABIC fastener may cause incorrect side curtain airbag deployment, increasing injury risk (subject of a recall).		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Dodge Durango:

Exterior Lighting 31% of complaints

Dominant issue with 53 complaints for 'EXTERIOR LIGHTING' and 15 for 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING', primarily involving DRL and tail light failures due to water intrusion or premature burnout.

Structure 6% of complaints

11 complaints related to vehicle structure, including issues with the rear spoiler alignment and potential detachment.

Engine 4% of complaints

8 complaints for 'ENGINE', with some reports of cooling system failures leading to engine damage.

Back Over Prevention 3% of complaints

6 complaints related to back over prevention, specifically rearview camera malfunctions.

Electrical System 3% of complaints

5 complaints for 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM', separate from lighting issues, indicating broader electrical concerns.

Power Train 2% of complaints

4 complaints for 'POWER TRAIN', with an additional 3 for 'POWER TRAIN,ENGINE', suggesting some transmission or drivetrain issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Dodge Durango

Is the 2021 Dodge Durango safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Dodge Durango has an overall 4-star safety rating, with 5 stars for side crash protection. However, it has 167 total complaints, 8 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 injuries reported to NHTSA, along with 7 recalls addressing significant safety concerns like rearview camera failure, steering issues, and airbag deployment problems. While crash test performance is generally good, the high volume of complaints, especially regarding exterior lighting, indicates potential real-world safety and reliability issues.

What are common problems with the 2021 Dodge Durango?

The most reported issues for the 2021 Dodge Durango are related to EXTERIOR LIGHTING, with 53 complaints specifically for this component and an additional 15 for 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING'. Owners frequently report premature failure of LED daytime running lights and water intrusion leading to tail light burnout. Other common problems include issues with the STRUCTURE (11 complaints) and ENGINE (8 complaints), such as cooling system failures.

How many recalls does the 2021 Dodge Durango have?

The 2021 Dodge Durango has 7 recalls issued by NHTSA. These recalls address critical components such as the rearview camera, rear spoiler, EGR valve (affecting engine power), steering gear, ABS control module, and side air bag fasteners.

Are the daytime running lights a known issue on the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Yes, the failure of daytime running lights (DRLs) is a very common and well-documented issue for the 2021 Dodge Durango. It is a significant contributor to the 53 'EXTERIOR LIGHTING' complaints, with many owners reporting the driver-side DRL going out and requiring expensive full headlight assembly replacement.

Does the 2021 Dodge Durango have steering problems?

Yes, the 2021 Dodge Durango has a recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 22V154000) related to the STEERING:RACK AND PINION. The recall states that the steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, which could lead to difficulty steering or a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the numerous recalls and prevalent lighting issues, potential buyers should ensure all 7 recalls have been addressed and be prepared for potential costly repairs related to exterior lighting, which is a common and expensive problem not covered by recalls.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Dodge Durango

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Dodge Durango. The data includes 167 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 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.