Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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). …
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the frequency module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, My Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT (4650 E Pickard St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the frequency module needed to be replaced but the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving on three separate occasions at highway speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The horn was beeping. Additionally, the windshield wipers, the brakes, and the power steering functionality became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed there was corrosion on part numbers: 68490871AA (PCM, ECM, ECU Control module) and 68499393AA (PCM, ECM, ECU Control module). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission was skipping gear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward or reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The check engine message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the transmission. The mechanic informed the contact that the parts to repair the vehicle were on back order. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while pulling up to the residence, there was a gurgling sound coming from the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, the gurgling sound got louder. The contact's husband opened the trunk, and the coolant reservoir exploded. The dealer was contacted by phone. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,500.
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
On [redacted] my Durango started leaking coolant and steaming while I was driving. The steam was rising through the openings in the hood and was getting on the windshield. The coolant was pouring on the ground. I had to stop the car to prevent it from overheating. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer and they told me a coolant hose had broken at the rear of the engine. I did some research on this specific leak. I have a friend with the same year and model/trim as my Durango who also had the same exact problem just past 30K miles. When I looked online, I can find many instances of this same failure. Here's one example that includes some excellent photos of the issue: [redacted] The Dodge PN for this failed component is: 55038042AJ. …
The component I am referring to is the fuel pump and fuel sending unit. The vehicle has starting issues, when starting it gives about 30 seconds of continues cranking before starting. Sometimes the vehicle will go through that cycle-unable to turn off at any point and eventually quit on its own. The only way to be replicated is roughly after being idle for 30 minutes- and then having the car turned off and on again. Or by happening randomly-at a stop light with the auto start feature turned on. This provides a hazard as there is moving traffic and the car can stall or not start in time. The vehicle is currently at the dodge dealership getting repaired however there are multiple complaints about this happening on many website forums. …
On 11/4/2023 I turned off my Durango. 10 minutes later I turn it on and it makes a clicking noise and wouldn't turn over. After 10 attempts to start I let it rest for the evening. The following day 11/5/2023 I try to restart and it stalled. After 5 more attempts the vehicle stalled after 10 Seconds each time. 11/6/2023 I contacted my insurance company to have my vehicle towed because it wasn't drivable to the local dodge dealership. After 4 days they diagnosed the problem as an Egr valve. They contacted other dealerships to purchase one and there wasn't any available. They also said that the part is on back order with no date for the future. Prior to the Durango refusing to start there was no warning lights on. The vehicle died in my relatives yard thankfully and not during operation otherwise it could have been fatal. …
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2021 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2021 Dodge Durango, 12% of the model year's 204 complaints. The component named most often is engine › engine control module (ecu/ecm) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Dodge Durango engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-284 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), Apr 28, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Dodge Durango engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.