Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, there was an abnormal exploding sound detected. The contact pulled over and noticed that the driver's side headrest air bag had exploded without warning or impact. The contact sustained a headache, but medical attention was not provided. The contact called the local dealer, who stated that repairs were not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case and informed the contact that the repairs would be at her own expense. The failure mileage was approximately 171,088.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space, the driver's side front seat headrest was deployed without impact. The contact sustained an injury to her head; however, no medical attention was received. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while pulling the vehicle out of a parking lot, the front driver's headrest deployed without an accident or impact. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side headrest deployed prematurely. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,820.
While causally driving down the road, without warning, the passenger headrest on my 2013 Dodge Durango violently "exploded" forward. Thankfully, my son who was riding in the passenger seat, was sleeping with his head bent forward so it didn't hit him. Upon inspection (by myself), the active head restraint feature is held together by PLASTIC, which obviously failed. I searched on the internet and this appears to be a common problem, and each time it's due to this plastic clip failing. This is totally unacceptable. I have the headrest available for inspection. It was brought to the dealer who wants $950 to replace it. They said the warranty expired less than a year ago. Again based on internet research, apparently Dodge/Chysler just recently extended the warranty to 10 years for 2014 models (and possibly 2013?). How convenient to extend a warranty short of the period covered. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The passenger Active Head Restraints (AHR) deployed for no reason. I was sitting in in the passenger side seat talking to my wife, in the driveway, when the AHR deployed without cause. The head restraint struck me on the back left side of head with force. My neck is starting to stiffen up. Yes it is available for inspection. I will send pictures. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The force generated during the deployment of an Active Head Restraint (AHR) system is significant, I know because I was hit on the back of the my head thankfully I was not driving. My safety concern is two fold, one injury from AHR deploying inadvertently and elderly person might be at more risk for this type of injury. …
While my wife was driving the passenger seat headrest popped out for no apparent reason. The headrest will not pop into place. We are concerned with the remaining headrest in the car for fear they will pop out at any moment. Please let's try to resolve this problem before someone looses a life due to a problem we know exists. Will you all also please send info on possible solutions. There are many forums stating solutions but the headrest will not pop back in. The suv was not involved in any collision for this to have happened. Please help
I was sitting in the vehicle while it was in park, idling, and the driver's seat active headrest suddenly deployed. Nothing struck the vehicle to cause it to jar suddenly. I was sitting in my kids' school parking lot dropping them off. When looking inside the deployed headrest, it seems like there is a broken plastic piece that possibly works to keep the headrest "latched."
The passenger seat head rest exploded without any impact to the vehicle. Fortunately, no one was sitting in the passenger seat at the time it exploded because it could have caused a head injury. After checking on the head rest, the plastic pin that kept it together broke.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
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…
Seat complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2013 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the seats of the 2013 Dodge Durango, 12% of the model year's 640 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › head restraint (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Durango seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2013 Dodge Durango, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Durango seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to seats 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.