Most common 2021 Dodge Durango problems
Share of the 204 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Durango complaints by model year
Best Durango years: 2020, 2024, 2022. Years to avoid: 1999, 2005, 2000, 1998. Compare all years →
2021 Dodge Durango recalls (8)
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the spoiler and align the liftgate as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 10, 2026.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
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.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
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.
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.
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
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.
Show 2 more recalls
Structure › Body
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.
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.
Air bags › Critical fasteners
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.
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.
What 2021 Dodge Durango owners say
Lights all 91 →
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 the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front LED headlight was flickering. The driver was unable to drive at night. The Police had made the contact aware of the situation. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the lamp housing assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 58,359.
Electrical system all 40 →
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, it caught fire without warning. The contact stated that the fire extended to the house, which also caught fire. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department, who informed the contact that the source of the fire was electrical. There was no police report filed. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the infotainment system was independently switching devices on and off. The contact stated that he had observed that the message "Box Error Disconnecting - Take Vehicle to an Authorized Dealer" was displayed intermittently. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that system software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken back to the same dealer several times for the failure where the vehicle system was switching on and off or shutting down other systems. The contact was advised that if he was using the navigation system during his trip the system was shutting down. …
Engine & cooling all 25 →
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, it caught fire without warning. The contact stated that the fire extended to the house, which also caught fire. The fire was extinguished with the assistance of the fire department, who informed the contact that the source of the fire was electrical. There was no police report filed. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and an alarm sounded. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from park(P) to drive(D), the gear shifter became stuck in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed after a while. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was towed to Newnan Peachtree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (53 Hollz Pkwy, Newnan, GA 30265); however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then towed to John Thornton Chevrolet (1971 Thornton Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122). …
2021 Dodge Durango engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
| 6.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 12 / 17 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Dodge Durango a good car?
Based on 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Durango rates average: 38% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Durango at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Dodge Durango?
The lights — 91 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the electrical system (40) and engine & cooling (25).
How many recalls does the 2021 Dodge Durango have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2021 Dodge Durango, the most recent from August 13, 2026 (hatchback/liftgate). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Durango?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2024 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2005, 2000 and 1998. See the full Dodge Durango years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Dodge Durango problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 70% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.