Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The headrest randomly deployed well car was in park. All I did was sit in my seat. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety was put at risk because now I have a sore neck and migraine from something meant to keep me safe but instead jeopardized my safety. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I will be calling as soon as they open. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Calling as soon as they open. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warnings at all.
Driving the on-ramp as I was speeding up to file into traffic my headrest exploded hitting me on the back of my head/neck area. It was a pretty violent incident and I almost caused a accident due to my orientation being stunned. As I made it home I found little black plastic pieces that came from the head rest. It appears the plastic retainers become fragile over time and loose their structural integrity, then become a serious hazard should they fail during driving. During this event no warning has been given, sound or visual, and the vehicle is drivable. However, as there is currently a potential for a head/neck injury to the front passenger if it should reoccur, no passenger is being transported in the front until this is corrected.
The vehicle was running, in "park", sitting in the driveway. My 17-year-old son was in the passenger seat. The headrest airbag deployed without ANY provocation of any kind. No movement in the vehicle, and it was not in motion, there was certainly no collision. The EXACT same thing happened on the driver's side 3 years ago, while I was sitting in the driver's seat, in the driveway, with the vehicle running and also in "park". The force of the deployment from either of these incidents was not enough to warrant an injury or a headache, but does elevate a safety concern until it is repaired. There were no warning lamps that came on prior to deployment, it was a complete surprise on both occasions.
Passenger side front headrest airbag deployed without incident. There were no warning lights, messages or symptoms prior to deployment. The vehicle was inspected and certified upon purchase. This could have caused injury to myself or my children. My biggest concern is the same incident happening without warning to the driver's side while I'm driving and causing an accident which results in injury or worse, death of myself or children. This is a problem.
In July 2021, driver's headrest restraint system deployed while driver was parked and vehicle was off. Driver entered the vehicle at the end of a workday while it was parked under a carport, sat down and closed door, then the headrest popped open unexpectedly. It has not been repaired yet, but scheduling service with the dealer in late July 2021. Headrest cannot be put back into place as it appears inside plastic pieces broke when deployed. No injuries.
The passenger headrest airbag deployed by itself without reason. No rear end collision. The headrest deployed and hit my 16 yr old daughter in the back of the head. Giving her a headache. No the vehicle has not been looked at yet, it is going to go to the dealer tomorrow. No messages prior to the failure. Now there is a red airbag malfunction icon. A person in a seat with a red dot (airbag) in front of the seat.
Driving on Freeway and my son was sitting in the passenger seat when the headrest exploded for NO reason. It was extremely loud and I nearly swerved off the road. There was no warning signs or lights that ever came on for warning. After researching this apparently is a known issue and I want replaced NOT out of my pocket. I have monitored my son now for whiplash injury due to this incident.
1.The air bag light come on & off randomly. The air bag has never been deployed. 2. The transmission misfires, I don't know if it has to do with the fuel pump relay. I've replaced almost the entire transmission and still does the same thing.
The passenger headrest deployed with no warning. My daughter was sitting in the seat while we were driving at 40 mph when the headrest shot forward and hit her head. There was no accident and no collisions of any kind to cause this to happen.
While driving with my wife sitting in passenger seat, the headrest safety deployed for no reason. This occurred under normal driving conditions. There was no impact or collision which would have caused the deployment.
Related recalls
Air bags
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from April 11, 2012, through July 20, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with the incorrect airbag occupant restraint control (ORC) module.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 24, 2012. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Airbag complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Dodge Durango, 7% of the model year's 640 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Durango airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-391 (air bags, Aug 8, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Durango airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.