2021 Dodge Durango Safety Report
2021 Dodge Durango Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Dodge Durango
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 | High (7) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (167) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 11 | 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 | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Dodge Durango with 6 complaints and 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Dodge Durango | 50 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Dodge Durango | 49 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Dodge Durango | 28 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Dodge Durango | 131 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Dodge Durango | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Dodge Durango | 221 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Dodge Durango Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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
53 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Dodge onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting issues Dodge onlyStructure
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Dodge onlyUnknown Or Other
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyEngine
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Dodge onlyBack Over Prevention
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Dodge onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Dodge Durango
Reliability Score
The 2021 Dodge Durango receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Dodge Durango
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Dodge Durango:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver Side Daytime Running Light Failure The driver side DLR often fails without warning, requiring the entire headlamp assembly to be replaced. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Spoiler Attachment The rear spoiler may not be securely attached, posing a risk of detachment during driving. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Exhaust System Issues There have been recalls related to the exhaust system and emission control, including the gas recirculation valve (EGR valve). |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Assembly Recalls have been issued for the steering assembly, affecting both the 2021 Dodge Durango and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. |
Medium | 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 2021 Dodge Durango:
Issues with exterior lighting, including DLR failure, are the most common problems.
Recalls related to the rear spoiler and body structure are less frequent but still significant.
Recalls for engine and cooling issues, such as the EGR valve, are relatively rare.
Recalls for service brakes and traction control systems are the least common issues.
Recall Details for the 2021 Dodge Durango
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Dodge Durango by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Dodge Durango
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Dodge Durango with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Driver side Daytime Running Light (DLR) went out without warning. Another motorist notified me. Fixing requires the entire headlamp assembly to be replaced and the part, alone, is over $1,100.
Driver Side Day Time Running Does not work. This is a very common problem with 2021 and up Dodge Durang's . Driving light are a safety feature. Some states require them to be on.
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
Vehicle Fire 2021 Dodge Durango GT Blacktop AWD VIN: [XXX] On around [XXX] somewhere between [XXX]pm to [XXX]pm a fire broke out in my 2021 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was parked for the evening and had been unattended for at least4 to 5 hours. At some point during the night the vehicle caught fire from underneath the dash and did severe damage to the vehicle and will most likely be a total lo...
21 dodge durango driver’s led daytime running light went out, a lot of people having same issues specially with 21’s
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. While the contact’s wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the daytime running lights became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was alerted to the failure by another driver. The contact also confirmed the failure when the vehicle was pulled into the driveway at the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, wh...
Cooling systems failed caused the engine to blow without warning
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side headlight failed to function as intended. In addition, the front passenger side headlight was very dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the LED ballast had failed. The contact was informed that th...
Around 50,000 or trailer brake service and traction control warning came on. Took into dealership was told it was hydraulic control unit and abs module that need replaced
The Durango seems to have a defect that should be a recall. If you look up the issues online everyone has the same issue. It puts yourself and others at risk because you may be unaware that your light is not working properly. Please see description below that is right online: Symptoms: Water inside the housing, dimming, flickering, or total failure of the light bar. Causes: Defective sealing a...
its going to cost me $2,120+ in parts PLUS LABOR at the dealer to replace my front left turn signal. unless I come up with close to $3,000 I am forced to drive around without a functioning front left turn signal. this is dangerous and very concerning to me. the headlights on the 2021+ Dodge Durango are a totally integrated unit. each headlamp contains the DRL and Turn Signal units as LED's. o...
The rear tail lights are not properly sealed. It allows rain, snow or car wash water to accumulate inside the assembly. The lights then short out and do not work.
My rear racetrack light on my 2021 Durango rt tow n go has water in it from not being sealed and it’s burnt out was quoted astronomical amounts of money to fix along with getting pulled over and was told it’s a safety issue by police and said it can cause a electrical fire and it’s a hazard
This complaint is for the tail light center light, race track light. Water has built up inside the lens after multiple times draining. The water has cased the racetrack light to completely burn out.
Rear tail light not working filled with water and burned out led
known issue with Driver side DRL going out and whole headlight unit has to be replaced according to dealer.
Driver side daytime running light failure. The entire headlight assembly must be replaced. There is reduced visibility, which is a safety concern. The cost to repair is $1,800, which is outrageous for a single headlight assembly. LEDs should not fail at 80K mileage on a car that is less than six years old. This appears to be a known defect on Dodge Durangos.
The engine cooling system on my 2021 Dodge Durango GT failed due to ruptured coolant lines, including the rear coolant tubes supplying the rear air conditioning system and both transmission heater hoses. These lines carry engine coolant to the rear HVAC system and transmission. The ruptures caused coolant loss and engine overheating during normal operation. The failure appears related to the routi...
Was in a major car crash and air bags did not deploy
Driver side DRL (daytime running light) quit functioning. This a known issue with the LED lamps. The attached photos are: 1. Rockauto description 2. Email showing order # and total for both Headlamp assemblies. 3. The removed, old OEM Headlamp assemblies. 4. Rockauto shipping bill.
Showing 20 of 167 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Dodge Durango
Has the 2021 DODGE DURANGO been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 DODGE DURANGO has 7 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 DODGE DURANGO have?
The 2021 DODGE DURANGO has 167 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 8 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
The 2021 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 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 DODGE DURANGO involve exterior lighting (53 complaints), electrical system,exterior lighting (15 complaints), structure (11 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, engine, back over prevention.
How many crash reports does the 2021 DODGE DURANGO have?
There are 8 crash reports associated with the 2021 DODGE DURANGO out of 167 total complaints (4.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 DODGE DURANGO have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2021 DODGE DURANGO out of 167 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 DODGE DURANGO.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 DODGE DURANGO. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 DODGE DURANGO is acceptable with caveats. It has 167 complaints, 7 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 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 DODGE DURANGO are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (53 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING (15 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (11 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (9 complaints), 5. ENGINE (8 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 53 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
Be aware of common exterior lighting issues and check for recalls related to the rear spoiler and steering assembly. The 2021 DODGE DURANGO has 167 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
The 2021 DODGE DURANGO receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 167 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 11 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Driver Side Daytime Running Light Failure and Rear Spoiler Attachment.
What are the known issues with the 2021 DODGE DURANGO?
Known issues with the 2021 DODGE DURANGO include: Driver Side Daytime Running Light Failure, Rear Spoiler Attachment, Engine and Exhaust System Issues, Steering Assembly. These are based on patterns found across 167 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2021 Dodge Durango?
The most common issues are exterior lighting failures, particularly with the DLR, and problems with the rear spoiler attachment.
Are there any recalls I should be aware of for my 2021 Dodge Durango?
Yes, be aware of recalls for the DLR, rear spoiler, and steering assembly.
Can you explain the issue with the rear spoiler on the 2021 Dodge Durango?
The rear spoiler may not be securely attached, which could lead to detachment and potential safety risks.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of common exterior lighting issues and check for recalls related to the rear spoiler and steering assembly.
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.
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