Is the 2021 Dodge Durango a bad year?
207 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Durango years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Dodge Durango are in line with other Durango years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Durango owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 93 (45%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 40 (19%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 25 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 207 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
67 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Dodge Durango: 8
The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. A damaged rear spoiler can detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power. An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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. Difficulty steering, or a loss of steering control, can increase the risk of a crash.
The ABS control module software may prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction indicator light from illuminating during certain conditions. An ESC malfunction indicator light that fails to illuminate during an electronic stability control problem can increase the risk of a crash.
The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing. A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 307
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Dodge Durango. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement
Engine PNs: MY 24-26 WD/DT (5.7L) Code P00B is being misdiagnosed and incorrect parts are being installed causing over repair
Rear Heater Coolant Tube Repair Customers may comment on one or more of the following: SYMPTOM
Power Liftgate Inoperative
Neighbouring years
2020 Durango: 56 complaints, keep it · 2022 Durango: 61 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Durango year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Durango years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Dodge Durango a bad year?
207 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Durango years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Dodge Durango?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: exterior lighting (93), electrical system (40), engine (25), body structure (15), air bags (11).
How many recalls does the 2021 Dodge Durango have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 26V-528), Backup camera (NHTSA 24V-436), Body structure (NHTSA 23V-115), Exhaust (NHTSA 22V-284) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.