2018 Dodge Durango Seat belts Problems

The passenger side active headrest restraint deployed at 3mph in a parking lot. There had been a safety recall for apparently my vin is not covered per dodge. [XXX] If this would have happened on the drivers side at highway speeds, it could have been deadly. The vehicle is at nyle Maxwell in Killeen and the passengers side is being replaced via extended warranty but my issue is getting the divers side replaced BEFORE it hits me in the back of the head. I spoke with dodge customer service and I was advised to submit a complaint. I think the model year range and trims should be expanded as this is still clearly an issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11745257

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

While driving, the passenger front headrest suddenly popped forward hitting the passenger in the back of the head aggressively and unexpectedly. No accident involved or any aggressive braking. The vehicle/headrest is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my passenger was put at risk as it punched them in the back of the head. It gave her an instant headache and mildly upset stomach. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealership yet, planning to try and go this week. The headrest has not been inspected by anyone besides me yet. No error messages or lights before or since the event.

NHTSA ID

11735703

Incident

May 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while stopped in a Drive-Thru, there was an abnormally loud sound before the driver’s side head restraint unexpectedly deployed. The contact's head was pushed forward with force and struck the steering wheel. There was no injury reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the head restraint's unintended deployment. The contact was informed that the driver’s side headrest needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,800.

NHTSA ID

11679834

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

Mileage

94,800 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, and the front passenger's side headrest unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under an unknown extended warranty coverage; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ID

11677233

Incident

Jul 24, 2025

Mileage

108,000 mi

While on my way to an appointment it was raining and I noticed my car wasn't handling the water on the road like it usually did. It was pulling to one side or jumping around when it hit shallow water. I turned the traction control off and then back on and that seemed to make a difference. That night I got on NHTSA and searched for recalls with my VIN number. While other 2018 Durango's had recalls on the ESP it said mine wasn't one on them. About a week later it had been storming all night and I was on my way to work the next morning when I come around a curve to deep flowing water covering the road for approx. 30 yards before a small break and then a thin flowing of water for approx. 20 feet which I didn't see because it was still raining. When I hit the deep water it pulled me towards the right ditch, I was able to keep from going in the ditch but it was a constant fight until I was through the puddle. After the first puddle let go of my vehicle there was just enough time for me to feel relieved I had made it through it before I hit the shallow water and my car hydroplaned darting left, entering the ditch, ramping the side of a driveway and going airborne between two trees before coming down on it's front end and sliding 30 feet to a stop. The emergency contact system spoke asking who to contact but none of my ICE was displayed. Thankfully I was wearing my seatbelt although the tensioner didn't lock the belt in place like it should in the event of an accident. Also neither front airbag deployed, only the passenger side air curtain deployed. My passenger side mirror was hit by a mailbox as I ramped the driveway so I assumed that is why the side curtain deployed but the accident crushed and partially removed both my front and back bumper so my 2 front air bags should have deployed as well. An accident report was made and my insurance company ruled my car as a totaled. I told them what happened but I am not sure if the inspected the ESP system or not.

NHTSA ID

11534477

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

The contact's wife owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the headrest deployed inadvertently and struck the contact in the back of the head. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in an unknown recall and the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,050.

NHTSA ID

11487213

Incident

Sep 27, 2022

Mileage

76,050 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a red light the front passenger’s seat headrest air bag inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was not involved in a collision. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 21,000.

NHTSA ID

11427517

Incident

Jul 31, 2021

Mileage

21,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO ALARM SOUNDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE SMITH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (409-840-3560, LOCATED AT 1945 I-10, BEAUMONT, TX 77701) AND REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED, THE SEAT BELT BECAME INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT OR UNLATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ISLAND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (844-673-0276, LOCATED AT 1239 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS USED INCORRECTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY FURTHER EXPLANATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.

NHTSA ID

11139480

Incident

Oct 5, 2018

Mileage

6,000 mi