2021 Dodge Durango: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
199 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Durango launched for 2011 on the Grand Cherokee's platform and inherited its early electrical problems — the Totally Integrated Power Module, the alternator recall, and the Pentastar V6 cylinder-head failure. The 2011–2014 years score in the 20s and 30s. Read the full note on the model page. 2021 specifically: 199 complaints on record, score 50/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Dodge Durango, Charger and the Chrysler minivans: the TIPM years and the nine-speed years, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 199 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 39.8
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The vehicle’s manufacturer-installed infotainment system repeatedly displays an intrusive error message while the vehicle is being operated. The message obstructs the navigation display and requires the driver to manually interact with the touchscreen to dismiss it. This creates visual and manual driver distraction. The manufacturer/dealer has been notified at Carvana Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Sacramento.
Drivers side running light went out at 65k miles. Hundreds of complaints on same issue online. Not covered after bumper to bumper
My vehicle is 5 years old with 54,000 miles on its and my driver's side headlight has failed. The headlamps are LED and in order to repair them, the entire housing needs a replacement, not just a bulb. My headlights need to be operational in order to drive safely at night. I have an appointment with the dealership to confirm the issue. There were not any warnings or failure symptoms.
Recalls: 8 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 22V140000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ram 2500 and 2021-2022 Dodge Durango vehicles, and 2019-2022 3500 cab chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. |
| 24V436000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. |
| 26V528000 | Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. |
| 22V154000 | Steering:Rack And Pinion | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, possibly allowing it to bind within the steering rack, and resulting in difficulty steering or a loss of steering control. |
| 21V280000 | Air Bags:Critical Fasteners | 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. |
| 23V115000 | Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. |
| 22V284000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power. |
| 21V842000 | Structure:Body | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a full-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 21 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,950
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Exterior Lighting90 complaints · typical job: Headlamp assembly or lighting-module replacement (1.5 h labour + parts)$360–$1,380
- Electrical System40 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other24 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine22 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Structure14 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Fuel/Propulsion System10 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Dodge Durango years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Dodge Durango?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Exterior Lighting (90 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Dodge Durango a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 50/100, computed from 199 NHTSA complaints and 8 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Dodge Durango's most common problem?
90 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Dodge Durango sit in the Exterior Lighting group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is headlamp assembly or lighting-module replacement: about 1.5 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $360–$1,380 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2021 Dodge Durango cost to run per year?
About $5,075 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $25,378 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2021 Dodge Durango have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Dodge Durango, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 10/03/2022. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other fullsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2021 Dodge Durango really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 199 complaints, 8 recalls on record
- 199 NHTSA complaints on record (39.8/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (21.6/yr)
- 8 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems