Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 14% | — |
| 2023 | 13 | 41% | — |
| 2022 | 26 | 44% | 59,000 miles |
| 2021 | 91 | 45% | 56,000 miles |
| 2020 | 22 | 40% | — |
| 2019 | 45 | 31% | 40,000 miles |
| 2018 | 56 | 24% | 41,000 miles |
| 2017 | 80 | 38% | 43,000 miles |
| 2016 | 53 | 33% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 196 | 39% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 259 | 33% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 18 | 3% | 93,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 2011 | 28 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2007 | 15 | 5% | 67,000 miles |
| 2006 | 15 | 2% | 51,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 1% | 120,000 miles |
| 2004 | 31 | 3% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 39 | 12% | 98,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% | 109,000 miles |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% | 98,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 1999 | 25 | 1% | 77,000 miles |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am submitting this complaint regarding recurring safety-related defects on my 2023 Dodge Durango RT. 1.Uconnect Failure: The Uconnect infotainment/communication box has repeatedly failed, causing loss of access to critical vehicle functions. These failures affect visibility of system warnings, navigation, and driver settings, creating distraction and limiting awareness. 2.Driver-Side Daytime Running Light (DRL) Failure: At just 40,000 miles, the driver-side DRL failed. This significantly reduces vehicle visibility to other drivers during the day, creating a safety hazard. What raises my concern further is that I have personally identified at well over 10 other Dodge Durangos in my local area experiencing the same daytime running light issue. This strongly suggests a widespread defect. Both failures directly impact vehicle safety. …
The driver-side daytime running light (DRL) on my 2023 Dodge Durango has stopped functioning. The failure occurred under normal vehicle use and was not caused by an accident, impact, or external damage. I am reporting this as a safety concern because the daytime running lights are intended to increase vehicle visibility to other motorists and pedestrians. With only one DRL functioning, the vehicle has reduced and uneven forward visibility to others during daytime driving. A premature failure on a relatively new vehicle also raises concern that this may be an electrical, lighting assembly, or component defect that could affect other 2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. I am requesting that NHTSA document and evaluate this issue for potential trends involving premature daytime running light failure on the 2023 Dodge Durango.
The contact owns a 2022 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that during a routine maintenance appointment, the mechanic discovered that the rear license plate light had become inoperable due to moisture and corrosion. The contact was informed that the rear racing track lighting assembly, which included the rear brake lights, needed to be replaced. The rear racing track lighting assembly was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 31,000.
The contact owned a 2022 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while approaching the vehicle after it was remotely started, the contact discovered that both headlights had failed to function as needed. A dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
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.
Rear taillamp goes out and is a safety issue , it is a known issue, there is a similar problem with years 2021 and above and a recall was issued , water gets in the light and causes problems , it also causes the license plate light to go out in which a cop can stop you and issue you a ticket , the light has failed in all sorts of ways that can be a safety issue in the day or night , it's all over the forums and general internet, my light has water and is starting to fail as well as the license plate light , I asked a police officer and was told if stopped they may issue me a ticket , im disabled with issues in my arm and can no longer be able to be handy with tools , seeing this is a widespread issue and a recall has been issued for other years why has this 2020 and previous years have been overlooked , it is a Hazzard if you cannot see rear taillights and if your vehicles plates cannot …
Water intrusion into racetrack tail light. This has apparently been an issue for ten years on this style of light on Durangos with no recall or fix offered. There are hundreds of YouTube videos on how to drain water by removing a bolt, applying silicone caulk or other random fixes. Now my rear tail light is so dim it's nearly undetectable and the dealership wants to charge $1600 to fix it. But I read that even though dealers replace the lights, the problem persists because the problem with design is not fixed. No warning lights to tell me my light was out. My son told me he noticed it when I visited him a few days ago. No inspection has been done. You can see water inside that's filled up the light component. I drive this vehicle less than 1000 mi per month. It can pretty much be inspected at any time in my driveway. The problem doesn't need to be confirmed by a dealer. …
Related recalls (2)
Interior lighting
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealer will install clearance for sun visor wiring, protection from sharp edges, and replace the sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2016.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
On certain pickup trucks, the central timer module (ctm) has an improperly sized circuit board trace that could potentially cause the right headlamp low beam to become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ctm. Owner notification began December 23, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Durango years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (259), 2015 (196), 2021 (91), 2017 (80) and 2018 (56) model years. Headlight complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Dodge Durango headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-879 (interior lighting, Dec 28, 2015); 02V-322 (switch, Dec 2, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Durango headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (21 mentions), followed by the headlights › switch (20).
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.