Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Dodge Durango problems

Owners filed 234 complaints about the 2018 Dodge Durango with NHTSA between Feb 2018 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (88).

Complaints
234
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system88
  2. Exterior lighting57
  3. Engine27
  4. Service brakes22
  5. Seats21
  6. Power train13
  7. Fuel/propulsion system11
  8. Air bags10
  9. Forward collision avoidance7
  10. Suspension6
  11. Vehicle speed control6
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  13. Structure5
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201812
201929
202018
202131
202241
202324
202431
202530
202618

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

88 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“The rear tail lights The factory gaskets and seals fail to keep rain out, causing water to pool inside and short out or corrode the LED strips and circuit boards”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11776000

Exterior lighting

57 reports
“I purchased a 2018 Dodge Durango. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, moisture was present inside the rear liftgate/racetrack lamp assembly and portions of the rear lighting did not operate. The selling dealership inspected and repaired the vehicle. Its repair invoice states that the left rear tail/running/parking lamp was inoperative because of an open wire between the body control module and the left rear lamp, but I have a picture I uploaded that only one of the passenger side light actually worked so I don' know about the broke wire, but I know the lights didn't work when I purchased the vehicle as our home camera showed after I brought it home. But they did try to fix them. The dealership routed a new wire, taped and waterproofed it, and returned the vehicle after stating that the system worked. I was also told or understood that the racetrack lamp assembly had been replaced, but the repair records I received do not identify a replacement lamp or part number. Approximately one week after the repair, moisture reappeared. The liftgate lamp assembly now contains substantial visible standing water that moves when the liftgate is raised or lowered. Sections…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11762926

Engine

27 reports
“Back to back error codes P0300 P0108 P1404 P0172 Rough running engine. Very strong smell of fuel at two different times while driving. Vehicle not responding to gas pedal while driving on highway. Repairs at thousands of dollars.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11754642

Service brakes

22 reports2 crashes
“On [XXX], my 2018 Dodge Durango GT (145,076 miles) developed abnormal braking characteristics immediately following a preventive brake-fluid flush performed by Jim Browne Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Dade City, Florida. Before this service, I had experienced no braking problems. Immediately afterward, the brake pedal became unusually soft, spongy, and mushy, accompanied by a pronounced air-hissing sound in the driver's footwell whenever the brake pedal was depressed. Despite these symptoms, the dealership released the vehicle. Relying on that release, I drove approximately 70 miles home while experiencing the abnormal braking condition. Upon arriving home, I contacted the dealership to report the problem. The symptoms raised concerns about possible loss or degradation of power brake assistance, potentially increasing braking effort and creating a collision risk, particularly during emergency braking. On [XXX], Central Florida Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Orlando evaluated and repaired the vehicle. The corrective repairs included replacement of the brake booster and master cylinder. Following these repairs, the braking condition was fully resolved, and performance…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Service brakesODI 11770537

Seats

21 reports
“The passenger side active headrest restraint deployed at 3mph in a parking lot. There had been a safety recall for apparently my vin is not covered per dodge. [XXX] If this would have happened on the drivers side at highway speeds, it could have been deadly. The vehicle is at nyle Maxwell in Killeen and the passengers side is being replaced via extended warranty but my issue is getting the divers side replaced BEFORE it hits me in the back of the head. I spoke with dodge customer service and I was advised to submit a complaint. I think the model year range and trims should be expanded as this is still clearly an issue”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2026SeatsODI 11745257

Power train

13 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle had started to lose motive power and nearly stalled. The contact stated that the check engine, a yellow "P" and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and shifted into park(P) and became aware that the vehicle was in neutral(N) when the vehicle rolled forward. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed by the mechanic, and it was determined that the PCM needed to be replaced and referred the contact to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the windows independently rolled down and the vehicle was in park(P) but the vehicle rolled forward. The contact turned off the vehicle but observed that the ignition was in the "RUN" position and while attempting to restart the vehicle to properly shut the vehicle off, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11659333
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.