2020 DODGE DURANGO

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    lighting exterior

    8 unsafe, 5 broken, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "It is well known in the Dodge Durango community that the main tail light housing on these vehicles was not properly sealed from weather elements. Over the course of time, water intrusion will cause areas of the tail light to burn out, gradually leading to the…"complaint #1813662
    • "The tail light burned out because of water intrusion. I understand there is a leaky gasket that lets water in and, in time, this moisture ruins the LED taillight. Mine gave way at 45k miles. One section on the left started fading, then the whole taillight burn…"complaint #1952521
    • "The rear lift gate "racetrack" tail light and [REDACTED PLATE] bar to include backup lights just stopped working. I suddenly have extremely little visibility of my car from the rear at night. The contact stated with the taillight removed, It is apparent tha…"complaint #1955122
    • "The L.E.D light strip on the back of the car completely failed so now the whole middle of the rear is non working. Without this working now it is not as safe driving at night because other vehicles might not be able to notice me as well as usual. This has been…"complaint #1963387
    • "The rear tailgate bar has been going out due to water leaks. Whenever it rains, water is pooled up inside the light and is causing the light bar to dim. "complaint #1979588
  2. #2

    engine internal

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The start stop system is the Durango is terrible! That was my first problem. My second issue is, out of nowhere. We now have inner engine issues. The engine will not hold compression, but there are no leaks! I have only had a vehicle for six months! Now I am p…"complaint #1885298
    • "While driving the engine began to vibrate violently and the check engine light turned on. Luckily I was close to the dealership because I live in a small town with one major road. I was able to quickly slow down without crashing or causing an accident and slow…"complaint #2022997
    • "Under heavy load or high RPM the engine starts shaking badly and the engine loses power and is very unresponsive to throttle. After 30 seconds of light use the problem goes away but comes back immediately upon heavy load or high rpms. There is a technical serv…"complaint #2156601
    • "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 sho…"complaint #2181606
  3. #3

    airbag system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~77,528 mi, complaint #2183510
  4. #4

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Water intrusion into the rear tail lights."complaint #1747706
    • "The rear tail lights have a sharp edge that is beak shaped and if you brush up against it on accident it slices into your skin or clothes. I was loading groceries and my arm skimmed over it and sliced a whole piece of skin off. I have researched the incident t…"complaint #1766101
    • "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…"complaint #1893181
  5. #5

    trunk or liftgate

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "There is a very sharp side on the back rear taillight that connects with the lift gate. This razor sharp edge has cut myself, husband, and almost my son. The only thing that saved him from getting cut was the sleeve on his shirt. I have reported this issue to…"complaint #1757462
    • "The center liftgate "racetrack" lamp assembly experienced water intrusion and pooling in the lower RH corner between the clear outer lens and red LED light strip. The concern and defect were confirmed by the local Dodge service department and replaced under t…"complaint #1814946
    • "Rear lift gate opens while driving and will not latch or stay closed. This has happened three times. The second time $10,000 in I-pads for work fell out on the road. Taken to dealership and repaired twice and now it has been sitting at dealership for 3 wee…"complaint #1855206
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When accelerating to pass another car in front of us on a [REDACTED ADDRESS] we experienced a loss of power and all instrumentation flashed on/off/on, then it posted a check engine light and stated that auto start stop wasn't working. Power came back and we fi…"complaint #2128596
    • "Vehicle has begun (and is getting worse) to crank with no start on first attempt. I know there was a recall on earlier model for the fuel pump relay. "complaint #2149344
  7. #7

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "After vehicle battery replacement, infotainment system not working properly, to include the backup camera not engaging in reverse."complaint #2107302
    • "My 2020 Dodge Durango experienced a severe interior dashboard fire that appeared to originate in the center dash/radio area while the vehicle was parkedin driveway. The fire caused extensive melting and burn damage throughout the dashboard, center console, wir…"complaint #2205476
  8. #8

    other

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that he auto-started the vehicle while it was in the driveway. The contact stated as he came outside, the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire…"~11,200 mi, complaint #1777199
  9. #9

    seat mechanism

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that moments after starting the vehicle and while driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact suddenly felt a sharp burning pain in the buttocks area. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle and disco…"~130,000 mi, complaint #2149632
  10. #10

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My driver side seat belt doesn't roll back up after it is taken off. I have to manually force the belt to go up. This happened to my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee and there was a recall on hers. This seems to be the same issue. I am afraid that the seat belt…"complaint #1958016
    • "Drivers seatbelt buckle does not register, resulting in active chiming of the unbuckled seat belt alarm and disengaging of the airbag system. Driver must hold the seatbelt with downward pressure continuously in order to register the seat belt and return the v…"complaint #2000848
  11. #11

    software or update

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The UConnect system in the 2020 Dodge Durango SRT has been compromised. the vehicle has experienced major safety concerns and life threatening issues for the driver. All components from body telemetry to speed control breaking fuel consumption electrical the…"complaint #1865526
    • "There is a software defect that could result in injury or death: if you forget to turn the car off and exit the car with the car key, there is no warning. I am hard of hearing and sometimes do not notice that I did not turn the car off because I cannot hear th…"complaint #2088546
  12. #12

    transmission automatic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Leaking transmission oil cooler, due to clamp installation by factory. Known issue which dodge created service bulletin for but does not correct sending bill to consumer, for manufacturer defect"complaint #1972966
    • "Every time I start my 2020 Dodge Durango I hear and feel a hard shift into reverse. No transmission fluid loss, just increasingly louder & feeling if the shift change. ***Vehicle started this @ 20,000 miles and only has 32,000 on it now."complaint #2035973
  13. #13

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When accelerating, the vehicle tends to lose all power and starts to decelerate and check engine lights comes on, also states the start stop function is disable. Really tough trying to drive on highways because of this happening quite often."complaint #2145947
  14. #14

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "During driving the catalytic converter rubbed through both rear brake lines and was rubbing on fuel line as well. 100% stock vehicle with no modifications and has never been in an accident. Checked similar vehicles at local dealership and they seem to have t…"complaint #2067949
  15. #15

    control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Service Shifter" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact then stated that while driving at 65 MPH, several messages appeared on the instrument p…"~29,980 mi, complaint #1888550
  16. #16

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Bought vehicle new in 2020, has 41K miles. Tonight, I noticed when arriving home that the entire center light on the lift gate is not functioning. I also do not have [REDACTED PLATE] and my rear camera is non-functioning. At night, the back of the vehicle i…"complaint #1789422
  17. #17

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Manufacture defect, steering column rubbing against brake line causing brake line to rupture causing damages with possible danger of fire or possible collision "complaint #2127133
  18. #18

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING A BRAND NEW (170 MILES) VEHICLE AT 35 MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. A MESSAGE "POWER STEERING UNAVAILABLE" POPPED UP AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WH…"complaint #1695461
  19. #19

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked, and the contact depressed the brake pedal but was unable to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the po…"~48,000 mi, complaint #2049914
  20. #20

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 DODGE DURANGO. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph with the cruise control on but not engaged. The contact stated they attempting to accelerate the vehicle however the vehicle had a delayed response. As they passe…"~26,700 mi, complaint #1779136
  21. #21

    transfer case awd

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Transfer case failure. Several other owners online are reporting the same issue. Why has a recall not been issued for a flawed part, that makes the vehicle u drivable and could grenade while driving."complaint #2030012
  22. #22

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I just bought a 2020 Dodge Durango GT PLUS AWD on Thursday 10/19/2023. On Saturday 10/21/2023 while driving this vehicle on the highway, it started accelerating on its own. I had not used the cruise control and was not attempting to use it. It accelerated from…"complaint #1937435
  23. #23

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My rear wheel on the driver side of the vehicle would not allow me to go or roll like the other three tires so I had to come off the road and head to the nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to try to get help for my vehichle, due to having a warranty on my ti…"complaint #2079775
  24. #24

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Water had accumulated in the racetrack led light in the center of the trunk. Causing light to short circuit and lose taillight, [REDACTED PLATE], and back up lights as well. "complaint #2167535
  25. #25

    wiring harness

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The TIPM (totally intergrated power module) is faulty. The dealer has confirmed this. I have a crank no start on my vehicle. When being inspected the dealer also showed me a melted fuse in the tipm which Is very concerning. This issue occurs daily multiple tim…"complaint #2101680

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for DODGE DURANGO directly.