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 2015 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? Passenger and driver seat caught on fire spontaneously, engine or battery has also been dying/ malfunctioning, touch screen also has issues. Yes available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Almost burned by seat of if I didn't smell a burning smell. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the passenger in the front passenger's seat had been struck in the back of the head by the head rest. There was no injury reported. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the head rest padding had separated from the head rest enclosure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Dynamic Head Restraint had deployed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,653.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front passenger's seat headrest deployed inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the front passenger's seat was unoccupied at the time of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the front driver's seat headrest erroneously deployed causing a slight headache to the driver. No medical treatment was required. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VINN was not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the passenger's side seat headrest exploded. The vehicle was steered into a gas station where the headrest was inspected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,578.
2015 Doge Durango, front passenger seat headrest malfunction "Active Head Restraint" and deployed while not in an accident. Headrest is available for inspection if requested. This occurred while the vehicle was being operated and caused a violent distraction. This could cause an accident as a result which would affect all in the vehicle. Additionally a direct impact/blow to the head from this defective headrest could lead to a head injury and/or cause an accident to occur. This has been reproduced in the same way by numerous consumers and third parties. Currently the defective headrest in question has not been inspected but communication with the manufacturer in progress. In regards to warning signs prior to the malfunction. There were no visible and/or audible signs this was about to occur. The headrest has received normal use which is very minimum. …
While the vehicle was parked and not in operation, the passenger-side active head restraint suddenly deployed forward on its own. There was no collision, no braking event, no external force, and no warning lamps, messages or other systems of the problem or that it was going to occur. The deployment was unexpected and presents a risk of head or neck injury, as the active head restraint is designed to move only during a rear-impact event. This appears to be a known defect, as the manufacturer previously issued Warranty Extension X88 related to unintended Active Head Restraint deployment on certain 2014-2015 Dodge Durango vehicles. A Dodge dealership refused to repair the defect, stating the warranty extension expired, and quoted over $800 for repair. The dealership did not provide a written denial or repair order. …
While driving to work this morning, I was suddenly hit so hard in the back of the head, my face almost hit the steering wheel. The hit to my head caused me to swerve almost hitting two cars in the lane next to me. I thought I had just been in a car accident! Once it was safe for me to pull over I saw that the driver side headrest deployed. There were no signs or warnings this was about to happen and we have never had problems with the seats. I have not taken it to the dealer or had the seat inspected by anyone as it just happened this morning. The consumer stated Dodge dealership, who informed them that warranty is extended for the headrest until 2026. The part is being ordered and consumer is currently waiting for the part.
I was coming back from lunch with my wife and kids when all of the sudden the passenger headset deployed without warning on my 2015 Dodge Durango pushing my wife's head forward. The vehicle has no waring or emergency lights on in the dash board. We are terrified for this to occur while on our daily commute's to work or school drop offs and pick ups, we don't want to have an accident or create one in any manner. Not sure how to proceed due to the fact that there is not recall on this and I really don't have the money to pay the dealership for the this. Since I don't have extended warranty the problem is not covered and the dealership wants to charge me 1,000 to 1,200 to fix and change out part.
The driver's side head rest deployed while I was driving on the highway without any collision and struck me in the back of the head hard. I did experience some whiplash symptoms for a few days as was confirmed by my chiropractor doctor. Post inspection revealed the plastic retaining brackets failed and the spring force released and deployed the headrest. I contacted Chrysler customer care (reference case #94643848) and was told my vehicle was just past the 10 year warranty period by 3 months and they would not cover the replacement cost. The replacement would be nice but what about the safety aspect? Why wasn't this a mandatory recall? Like the air bags issue years ago.
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 2015 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the seats of the 2015 Dodge Durango, 18% of the model year's 503 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › head restraint (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Dodge Durango seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2015 Dodge Durango, though it has 4 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 2015 Dodge Durango seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 16 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.