Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2020 Dodge DurangoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 56 owner complaints for the 2020 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (23) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2021
Owner complaints
56
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: critical fasteners

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 22, 2021NHTSA 21V280000

Back over prevention: camera

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Back over preventionReported Sep 10, 2020NHTSA 20V191000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

56 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Exterior lighting23
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Engine7
  4. Structure4
  5. Air bags3
  6. Steering3
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Power train3
  9. Vehicle speed control3

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

By model year

Complaints for each Durango model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998976
19992,012
20001,097
2001665
2002434
2003339
20041,115
20051,567
2006852
2007275
200897
200919
2011800
2012640
2013640
2014786
2015505
2016161
2017214
2018234
2019145
202056
2021208
202261
202339
202414
20258
202615
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

23 reports
“I'm here to report yet another Gen 3 Dodge Durango "racetrack" liftgate light assembly experiencing water/moisture ingress. This issue has been ongoing since the 2014 model year when the racetrack lighting was introduced. The issue is, overt time, water makes its way into the assembly, eventually causing one or more sections of the LED's to stop working. The failure of the assembly leads to reduced light directed from the rear of the vehicle outward, which in my opinion IS a safety issue in the dark. This assembly installed is over $1000.00 at a dealer, and the vehicle just looks trashy once the failure process begins. For the most part, it's not if but when this process will begin for a Gen 3 Durango. The racetrack on my '20 SXT Plus Durango began to show signs of water ingress around 4 years of age, with less than 50k miles, which is of course beyond the warranty. This situation is 100% wrong for a vehicle in the Durango's price class., let alone the safety aspect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11773316

Electrical system

9 reports2 fires
“My entire lighting system in back of truck stopped working. The racetrack lighting system. The license plate lights done. I cannot drive the car at night because I will get pulled over. Dodge saying it is not covered under the extended warranty I purchased.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11754292

Engine

7 reports
“1, The rear taillights fill up with water making it difficult to see the lights when breaking. 2, The engine had to be repaired due to power failure and was told that the cams and lifters were worn out on drivers' side at 85000 miles. The garage said this should not have happened. And that they have had to repair other vehicles too and Dodge would not cover it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11721175
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Midgrade Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Durango AWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950427
Durango RWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950414
Durango AWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · All-Wheel Drive
142217$4,200533
Durango RWD
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142217$4,200525
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Durango RWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Durango AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Durango RWD
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Dodge Durango SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Dodge Durango SUV RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 14272Vehicle 14239
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Durango questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Dodge Durango have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Dodge Durango problems?

Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (23), electrical system (9), engine (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Dodge Durango get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Dodge Durango at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Dodge Durango?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Dodge Durango 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026