general problems of the 2021 Dodge Durango - part 1

88 problems related to exterior lighting have been reported for the 2021 Dodge Durango. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2021 Dodge Durango based on all problems reported for the 2021 Durango.

1 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2026

It’s known that the drl and race track tail lights go out faster than what they should. Also the tail lights once the lift gate is open on the edges of both sides are very sharp. My drl on my 21 Durango with only 59k miles just went out. That is way to fast and the price to fix is insane.

2 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 08/18/2026

I am submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing headlight/turn signal failure on my 2021 Dodge Durango involving the factory led turn signals that are sealed/encased within the headlight assemblies. The driver-side front led turn signal failed first, and now the passenger-side front led turn signal has also failed. Because these led turn signals are integrated into the sealed headlight assemblies, this is not a simple situation where a standard turn signal bulb can be replaced. The failure can require replacement of the headlight assembly, making what should normally be a basic safety-related lighting repair significantly more expensive. I am concerned that this may be a widespread defect affecting Dodge vehicles equipped with this style of led headlight/turn signal assembly, rather than normal wear. Both sides failing on the same vehicle raises concerns regarding the durability and expected service life of the integrated led turn signal components. Turn signals are an important vehicle safety feature used to communicate a driver's intentions to other motorists and pedestrians. When an integrated led turn signal fails, other drivers may not be able to clearly see that the vehicle is turning or changing lanes, increasing the potential for an accident. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate complaints involving premature failure of the integrated/encased led turn signals and headlight assemblies on the 2021 Dodge Durango and other similarly equipped Dodge vehicles. If these failures are determined to be caused by a common defect in the led components, wiring, electronics, or headlight assembly design, I believe the manufacturer should be required to provide an appropriate remedy rather than requiring vehicle owners to bear the expense of replacing complete headlight assemblies for failed safety lighting components.

3 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 08/07/2026

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.

4 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2026

Drivers side running lights are not working. So you are forced to turn off daytime running lights or have one out. This seems to be a very common issue with Dodge Durango for some reason.

5 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2026

The driver side daytime running lamp no longer works after 55000 miles. The daytime running lamp (drl) is an led light strip that requires the entire headlamp to be replaced. Anyone can inspect the issue at any time. The issue presents a risk to oncoming traffic who cannot see my entire vehicle especially at dawn / dusk and foggy days. The daytime running lamp is utilized to alert oncoming traffic and pedestrians that a car is approaching. The Dodge dealership that I purchased the car from is aware of the issue and has neglected to resolve the issue. An independent auto mechanic has confirmed that the drl is malfunctioning. There weren't any warning signs or messages. The light just shut off and has not turned back on. A new running lamp is $1200 and requires approximately $500 in labor to install. This is not an issue that is simply solved by changing out a $20 light bulb. The issue began about 2 months ago.

6 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2026

Drivers side running light went out at 65k miles. Hundreds of complaints on same issue online. Not covered after bumper to bumper.

7 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver-side headlight would not illuminate during nighttime conditions. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as needing both front headlights to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

8 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 05/10/2026

The driver side daytime running light (drl) has stopped working. This is not a replaceable bulb, an entire head lamp assembly must be purchased, its also not really a user replaceable item. It involves removing the from bumper cover an other body parts. Im reporting this because this is a common occurrence on 2021 and up model year Dodge Durango and im hoping you get enough reports to force a recall. Lighting is required for safety, it should not be something thats so difficult and expensive to repair, and it should not be happening so frequently on this specific drl in this vehicle.

9 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 05/04/2026

Daytime running lights works intermittently. Vehicle only has 44,000 miles.

10 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2026

Drivers side daytime running light (drl) failed. Bulb cannot be replaced, instead entire headlight must be replaced for over $1000. Dlr is a safety feature which alerts other vehicles and pedestrians that a vehicle is on or in motion. Due to poor craftsmanship of this critical Dodge part, it is reasonable to recall Dodge’s defective safety equipment.

11 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 04/14/2026

Rear racetrack style taillight assembly had faulty gaskets when purchased, allowing for water intrusion of the taillight assembly, causing water damage to the electrical components in the light assembly and shorting the led lights.

12 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 04/10/2026

The driver side headlight is malfunctioning causing the daytime running light to not work.

13 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 04/03/2026

My 2021 Dodge Durango rt have issues with front turn signal light on the driver side I have read Dodge forums and other owners are experiencing the same problems how isn't this a safety issue or a recall from Dodge.

14 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 03/16/2026

The driver's side led headlight has gone out. It is led and suppose to outlast the vehicle. Headlight works but turn signal doesn't in the front. This unit is over $1,000 to have replaced and multiple people are complaining about it happening to their Dodge Durango rt's as well.

15 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2026

Driver side daytime running light (dlr) went out without warning. Another motorist notified me. Fixing requires the entire headlamp assembly to be replaced and the part, alone, is over $1,100.

16 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2026

Drivers side daytime running lights out. I’ve noticed about a dozen more Dodge Durangos running lights are also out. Seems to be a manufactured problem. A lot of forums and conversations on reddit complaining of the same. It cost about 500 dollars to replace the headlight and takes all day due to dismantling the whole front bimper and plastic components to get access. A really bad design.

17 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 02/13/2026

My life turn signal and parking light stopped working, my problem is the whole headlight assembly needs to be replaced just because these two items don’t work. The dealer wants over $800 for the part. Why don’t they issue a warranty or a recall on this item? it’s too much to pay just because turn signal and parking light doesn’t work.

18 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 02/10/2026

Driver side day time running does not work. This is a very common problem with 2021 and up Dodge durang's . Driving light are a safety feature. Some states require them to be on.

19 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 01/29/2026

Its going to cost me $2,120+ in parts plus labor at the dealer to replace my front left turn signal. Unless I come up with close to $3,000 I am forced to drive around without a functioning front left turn signal. This is dangerous and very concerning to me. The headlights on the 2021+ Dodge Durango are a totally integrated unit. Each headlamp contains the drl and turn signal units as led's. Once the led or its electronics fail, the entire headlamp assembly must be replaced. And you have to remove the front fascia pieces of body work to remove the headlight units. This is not a job the average person can do reliably, even if they have the money. I even purchased a Dodge/Chrysler mopar factory extended warranty when I bought the Durango, that is good for 7 yrs/125k miles. My 2021 Dodge Durango has 69,420 miles on it as of today. Dodge is refusing to cover this part under the warranty. I was told this today by the local dealer in myrtle beach, SC. This is not right that consumers have to pay thousands of $$$ to replace a turn signal. Very dangerous.

20 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 01/20/2026

21 Dodge Durango driver’s led daytime running light went out, a lot of people having same issues specially with 21’s.

21 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 01/13/2026

The rear tail lights are not properly sealed. It allows rain, snow or car wash water to accumulate inside the assembly. The lights then short out and do not work.

22 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 01/08/2026

This complaint is for the tail light center light, race track light. Water has built up inside the lens after multiple times draining. The water has cased the racetrack light to completely burn out.

23 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2026

Rear tail light not working filled with water and burned out led.

24 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2026

Driver side drl went out at 50k miles.

25 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2025

The SUV has been experiencing electrical issues that started first one of the headlights stopped working, the white light around it, then it was the tailgate got a liftgate open error on the display even when the liftgate was closed, then we started to notice other electrical issues with the vehicle but the major problem that happened now is that while we were driving, all of the lights of the dashboard started to light up and the car was not responding to the accelerator pedal was not responding at all and we stalled in the middle of the street, we were lucky this didn't happen while we were on the freeway, we are afraid to use the car anymore because of this, the dealer refuses to take care of this issue because the warranty has passed but this is a major safety issue that can cause injury or death.

26 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2025

My vehicle experienced failure of both the driver-side drl (daytime running light) and the passenger-side front turn signal within a short period of time. On this model year, both components are part of a sealed led headlight assembly with no replaceable bulbs. The only repair option is full headlight assembly replacement, quoted at $800–$1,200 per side plus labor. This is a safety issue because front drl and turn signal failure reduces vehicle visibility to oncoming traffic. Online reports show numerous other 2021–2023 Durango owners experiencing the same problem with the led drl/turn-signal assemblies, suggesting a pattern of premature failure. Stellantis has also faced known issues with sealed led lighting on the Durango’s ‘racetrack’ taillight assemblies, indicating a broader led reliability issue on these vehicles. I am requesting NHTSA review this as a potential safety-related defect, as owners are forced into high-cost headlight replacements due to non-serviceable led modules failing early.

27 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2025

Half my taillight went out randomly, causing only half of it to work at night.

28 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 11/13/2025

This specific year and all models in 2021 Durango’s including srt, gt, gt plus , tng , vehicle has a known issue with the driver side drl ( daytime running lights) completely going out and not working very early into its life . I believe this is a safety issue that the manufacturer should fix themselves as it’s a defect wiring / headlight issue that is affecting thousands of customers. Secondly, this car comes with an issue in the taillight not being properly sealed and allowing water into the leds , burning them out and being needed replaced . Both of these issues comes from the manufacturer/ factory and are safety issues/risk known in thousands of Durangos which should definitely be recalled .

29 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2025

The drl failed - seems like it is due to a faulty ground connection on canbus.

30 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 10/19/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side headlight failed to function as intended. In addition, the front passenger side headlight was very dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the led ballast had failed. The contact was informed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

31 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 10/15/2025

My driver's side daytime running light quit working a few weeks ago, however last week when I used remote start the drl came on, but sadly it is out again. I have 80,000. Miles on the vehicle. Drl's should last for life of car but blogs on the 21-24 models indicate many owners having the same issue with driver's side drl's. I went to Dodge dealer and was quoted $1,953. 00 to repair! manufacturers should not be permitted to engineer this kind of equipment for a vehicle that makes repairs prohibitive economically. No recall has been issued but should be. Btw, the repair includes removing the front bumper with grille just to get to the headlight for repair.

32 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 10/12/2025

2021 Dodge Durango with 40k miles on it. Like many other drivers of this specific SUV and year the front driver side led daylight running lights have suddenly stopped working. The same applies to the rear 3rd brake light. Based on discussion boards this seems to be a common issue.

33 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2025

Daytime running lights- the drivers side daytime running light has stopped working-like many other people have reported repair under warranty is being denied by Dodge fca as a wear item, it is an integrated system and not a bulb as they are saying. It creates a safely issue that they refuse to repair under warranty.

34 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2025

2021 Dodge Durango failing headlight assembly, specifically the driver side turn signal. Numerous Durango owners are experiencing the same issue with the Dodge Durango headlight malfunction, I've have more than one close accident incident due to the failed turn signal. It's like Dodge don't want to stand behind their product and address the concern of millions of Dodge Durango owners who are having these issues. Not even a simple acknowledgement of the issue and any potential effort to help fix the problems for the owners. I must say Dodge has lost a future buyer due to their lack of support on their own product.

35 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 09/05/2025

Left turn signal stopped working. I learned to find out that it’s not replaceable. The whole headlight assembly needs to be replaced the cost of it over $1000. My vehicle is only four years old. Why isn’t it on a recall or replaceable by the manufacturer on the warranty?.


Other Exterior Lighting related problems of the 2021 Dodge Durango

Exterior Lighting problems
89
Headlights problems
1

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