The 2017 Dodge Durango has 2 safety recalls and 215 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (82 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints215filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints
2017 Dodge Durango in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Software
NHTSA recall 18V332000 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Components: Electrical system › Software; Vehicle speed control › Cruise control; Electrical system › Wiring
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
NHTSA recall 17V541000 · Aug 31, 2017 · 4 vehicles
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Durango vehicles. The vehicles may have been assembled with rear axle halfshafts that are too short.
Risk: If a halfshaft is too short, it may disengage from the differential causing a loss of drive and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace both halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T55.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2017 Dodge Durango SUV 2WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
2017 Dodge Durango SUV 4WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Durango RWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Durango AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Durango RWD
17mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Midgrade Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Durango AWD
17mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Midgrade Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Exterior lighting Tail lights
82
1
0
2
42,250 mi
Electrical system Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
62
3
1
0
39,500 mi
Engine
28
1
1
1
15,500 mi
Power train
23
1
0
0
12,000 mi
Unknown or other
21
2
0
3
3,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
16
0
0
0
40,000 mi
Steering
11
0
0
0
20,500 mi
Seats Front assembly › Head restraint
11
0
0
4
—
Structure Body
10
3
0
3
37,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
10
2
0
1
6,999 mi
Service brakes
8
0
0
0
7,000 mi
Air bags
7
2
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 6, 2022Exterior lighting The rear racetrack led keeps getting water inside them and shorting out all of the lights on the tailgate. When this happens I donât have taillights, running lights, brake lights, reverse lights or even tag lights whoâs is all extremely dangerous when driving and the car doesnât tell me anything about it. I notice it usually when I get in the car because the lights donât flash in the back when I unlock it but when Iâm not home and this happens I still have to get home to fix the issue and luckily Iâve been able to get them to drain and come back on for now. Itâs been happening periodically for years
Mar 14, 2026Exterior lighting 2017 Dodge Durango, rear racetrack lights went out due to widely publicized problem of water getting in and shorting the lights out, also took out my license plate lights. I had to get it replaced so I didnt get fined for the license plate lights being out. Dodge just announced a program for 2018-2024 years, this issued started in 2014-2015. All other years need included also. It cost me $2100 to get my required license plate lights back on.
Sep 28, 2026 · 180,000 miles · 1 injurySeats › Front assembly › Head restraint The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the driverâs side headrest unexpectedly exploded. The contact stated that it felt like being struck by a ball in the back of the head. The contact had a mild headache and treated the headache with painkillers. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Nov 18, 2019Visibility/wiper Loss of windshield defrosting and dash air vents - systems and devices intended to provide or maintain the operator's ability to see the roadway severe cabin temperature hazards. Resulting in loss of ability to maintain driver's ability to see roadway during rainy/foggy/cold conditions. Dash air vents result in severe cabin temperature hazards in heat higher temperatures. No warning lights or messages or symptoms before, air flow just stops and not having air flow is sign of problem. Vehicle was taken to both dealership service center and independent service center after issue returned.
Sep 2, 2026Fuel/propulsion system Customer Satisfaction Notification T23 (TSB 18-031-17). Under this T23 a PCM software flash and a replacement EGR valve assembly were required. My dealer only did the software flash and my car now threw out an active PO401 (EGR Flow Insufficient Detected"). Which is a direct result of the failed software update and the physical damage caused by this known issue. Dealer is refusing the repair along with the manufacturer.
May 25, 2026Engine Vehicle overheats while at a stop. Problem has been happening for past 8 months. Leaking antifreeze under transmission. Shop unable to diagnose problem after various attempts. Researched problem online and discovered many 2017 durango owners are having issue. Many saying it's due to manufacture problem. It's a safety issue for my family and I since I don't know what the problem is to fix it.
Feb 7, 2026Unknown or other While driving the ABS light came on causing the abs lock to turn off increasing instability to cars performance.
Apr 26, 2026Service brakes Runaway vehicle, police was called after car stopped and I was able to safely park it on the side of the freeway.also a police officer on motorcycle came the the scene to make sure I was able to get a towing scheduled. Dealership currently confirmed gas pedal accelerator needing to be replaced.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE19014 · opened Sep 9, 2019 · closed Feb 25, 2026Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat…
PE16014 · opened Dec 16, 2016 · closed Jan 25, 2024Vehicle Rollaway Basis â On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to Park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents. These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design.  Of the 43 consumer complaints, 25 complaints alleged crashes, and eight complaints alleged at least one injury. Subject Vehicles â When NHTSA opened the investigation, the subject vehicles were model year (MY) 2013-2016 Ram 1500 vehicles and MY 2014-2016 Dodge Durango vehicles equipped with a rotary electronic shifter. However, NHTSA expanded the scope of the investigation to include subsequent model years of the same model vehicles when the Agency learned that those new…
