Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Dodge Durango problems

Owners filed 56 complaints about the 2020 Dodge Durango with NHTSA between May 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (23).

Complaints
56
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
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. Exterior lighting23
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Engine7
  4. Structure4
  5. Air bags3
  6. Steering3
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Power train3
  9. Vehicle speed control3
  10. Seats2
  11. Fuel/propulsion system2
  12. Wheels2
  13. Seat belts2
  14. Suspension1

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
20202
20215
20224
20236
202412
202516
202611

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

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

Structure

4 reports
“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. I can take a picture. It's water in a tail light. Very obvious.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2023Exterior lighting, StructureODI 11520838

Air bags

3 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon leaving a parking lot, the air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V280000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case number was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,528.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2026Air bagsODI 11722425

Steering

3 reports
“Manufacture defect, steering column rubbing against brake line causing brake line to rupture causing damages with possible danger of fire or possible collision”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2025Steering, Service brakesODI 11685097
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.