general problems of the 2014 Dodge Durango - part 1

On February 6, 2026, while driving my 2014 Dodge Durango at normal speed, the driver’s seat headrest suddenly and unexpectedly deployed/exploded, striking the back of my head. The force of the impact caused my head to snap forward, resulting in soft-tissue and muscle injuries to my neck and upper back. I sought medical evaluation following the incident and was diagnosed with soft-tissue injury/whiplash. Treatment has included diagnostic imaging, prescription medication, and follow-up care for ongoing symptoms. I was able to continue driving the vehicle directly to a Dodge dealership, where staff confirmed that the headrest had exploded. This is the second headrest failure on this vehicle caused by a defective plastic component; the passenger-side headrest failed previously in August 2023. The vehicle is unsafe to operate until the headrest is replaced. Due to the part being out of stock, the repair is expected to take more than two months. Prior to this incident, the only indication of a problem was a letter sent by Dodge in August 2020 stating that the warranty on this part was extended from 3 years to 10 years due to a known defect. Given the repeated failures and risk of injury, this condition represents a safety defect that should have been addressed through a recall.

While stopped at a stop sign, the passenger headrest airbag deployed.

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speed through a parking area, the passenger's side seat headrest deployed inadvertently and hit the passenger in the back of the head. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Chrysler campaign number: x88. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Passenger seat, headrest exploded part of cars, active restraint system, hitting my son in the head.

Sitting at the light and driver side active head restraint deployed into my head.

Passenger side active headrest deployed without accident while sitting in driveway no one in or around vehicle and also not running.

The passenger head restraint deployed while driving on a smooth road at about 30 mph. No crash or unusual road conditions.

Sitting at drive through and driver headrest exploded and hit me in the back of the head. Thank god I was not moving at the time and my car was in park or I may have wrecked! startled me and I was dazed and confused because I couldn’t figure out what had happened! this just happened a few hours ago so I have not been able to report it or have it checked out. I did take several pictures. There were no warnings or anything and it just happened as I was sitting there! if I had been driving, it could have been catastrophic! my neck is sore and I have a headache.

Occupant restraint control (orc) module failure. Existing recall for other 2014 Dodge Durangos.

Headrest deployed under normal driving conditions.

Driver side headrest deployment.

Driverside front headrest just popped for no reason. Loading kids in SUV and it just popped, March 8th 2023 no reason or explination I contacted crysler corp they told me there is nothing they can do to help me and that its not covered they can give a price on a new headrest.

The passenger head rest popped/exploded and juts forward and will not close back. I was advised that it is an airbag recall issue. However after checking my VIN nothing is shown listed here. On a google search it says there is a ten year unlimited mile recall.

Service airbag system, service antilock brakes, service transmission, service shifter suddenly appear. Ater pulling over and turning it off the car went dead. Just spent $1500 for a new computer and two days later I have service airbag system. I have videos of the chaos. If this car is in an accident the airbags will not go off and passengers will be unprotected. The electrical issues in this car are beyond comprehension. Chrysler needs to take responsibility before it causes a catastrophic injury. The behavior of this vehicle is unacceptable and unsafe.

The contact's wife owns a 2014 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 65-70 mph, she heard a loud popping sound. The contact's daughter veered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the popping sound. Upon returning inside the vehicle, the contact's daughter noticed that the front passenger's side headrest had independently deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter continued to drive the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Front passenger’s headrest airbag deployed while parked. Nothing hit us, my daughter was in the seat.

The headrest deployed and has a broken pin and I am unable to put it back in place.

While stopped at a red light, the headrest exploded and hit me in the back of the head. The soft part popped forward with force away from the hard plastic back.

In October 2014, a recall was called for some 2014 Dodge Durangos and Jeep grand cherokees because a electrical issue where the air bag light intermittently comes on and turns off repeatedly. My vehicle was not included but it is having the same issue which almost seems like a short in wiring. This is an issue that widely discussed in the Durango chat as other people are told as well that their 2014 is not included but they have the same issue.

The active head restraint system deployed on passenger side while sitting at a traffic light with no warning or impact to another vehicle. I was the passenger when the headrest blew out causing my head to jerk forward and straining my neck. I have an appointment scheduled at the Dodge dealership in thousand oaks, CA on 11/5/2021 at 9:30am. No warning lamps or systems whatsoever.

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while parked, the driver's side head rest deployed with out warning or impact. The contact stated that while, his wife was driving the driver's side head rest deployed without warning or impact. The driver sustained injuries to the head and neck. Medical attention was provided. The driver's head rest was replaced with the passenger's side head rest after the first deployment by an independent mechanic. The local dealer was contacted but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Passenger headrest deployed randomly and unexpectedly without warning during normal forward vehicle operation striking the passenger in the head. Vehicle was not in traffic or in contact with any other vehicle or object. Vehicle has no accident history or air bag deployment history. No warning lights and no warning prior to deployment. Owner is on summer holiday in colorado. Owner contacted local colorado dealer and was advised the headrest is not a repairable item and as such will require replacement. Dealer estimated repairs to be approximately $1,100. Part will need to be ordered and dealer could not estimate eta for the part.

While traveling on freeway driver seat headrest deployed striking back of my head.

While sitting in the car with my family at walmart waiting for frock pick up the passenger seat headrest air bag burst open. We were not in accident or had we went over any large speed bumps. Actually the car was in park.

Driver side headrest assembly exploded.

Drivers side seatbelt will not retract.

Passenger side headrest deployed while driving. No crash involved. Deployed during highway driving approx 45-50 mph.

Front passenger side headrest deployed on its own. I was not in the car when it happened. No accident of any sort.

While parking I was driving heard a loud pop/crack that startled me I turn and my wife is saying ouch touching her head. The head rest was opened in two looked like it exploded open and hit my wife on the back of her head. There was nothing different that we did while parking in front of our home that could have caused the head rest to explode. I called the dealer immediately and they have no knowledge of any recalls or problems with the head rest airbags going off. Now I'm concerned about driving the vehicle not knowing if the same thing could happened to the driver head rest airbag. Unfortunately we are still in a lockdown in California and not driving much or maybe a good thing with the not knowing if the airbag will go off.

While stopped at a drive through the headrest of the driver side front seat deployed heating me in the back of the head causing a good amount of head pain.

I was driving on a highway at 55mph when, without incident, the driver's side headrest airbag deployed while the car was in motion.

Tl- the contact owns a 2014 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 mph the contact heard an abnormal loud noise coming from the passengers side headrest. The contact pulled over and noticed the headrest exploded without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a local mechanic for repairs or diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000 tp.

The passenger active headrest deployed when my 14 year old son leaned back in the seat. We were in motion, pulling out of a parking lot.

I had just parked my car and had exited to remove my child from his car seat when, for no reason, the drivers side headrest deployed unexpectedly. The vehicle was not in motion.

Getting into my parked vehicle I noticed the driver's side seat head rest had deployed. Plastic clips broken. Lock bar was still enclosed in locking mechanism. My vehicle was in my driveway.