2019 Dodge Durango Exterior lighting Problems

The rear taligate track light for brakes is not working. Some of the lights are out when braking

NHTSA ID

11739840

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

The rear race track light and license plate lights failed to work due to a faulty gasket or seal on the light. Faulty in the manufacturing process and now to repair this issue is $1500 or more. The vehicle can not be inspected and used do to the lights not working.

NHTSA ID

11699249

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

Last year I notice water in my tail lights. I removed the bolt to help drain the water. Part of my tail lights is now burned out. Now at 77,000+ my start/stop light came on, then the check engine. Scan code was P0304. Misfire on cylinder 4. I changed ignition coil 4, set of spark plugs. It was still misfiring on 4. I had spark plugs on 4 changed. This still did not fix it. The person who changed the spark plugs let me know my lifter/cam was bad. I scheduled with Dodge and they diagnosed it with a blown head gasket. The service rep said the blown head gasket was my fault, however after asking the mechanic said there was no code for over heating or any of that, just the misfire.

NHTSA ID

11698027

Incident

Nov 3, 2025

We were notified of a recall in Nov 2024 with a first quarter of 2025 fix. We are now 1 year later and still no fix, clearly a safety issue and I cannot trade in or sell legally without the fix. I am stuck with a vehicle with known safety issues and Chrysler is being allowed to just ignore it.

NHTSA ID

11693472

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

3 Years of a recall with no remedy by the manufacturer. Repeated inquiries with the same answer. Electronic Stability Control, Cruise Control, and Keyless Entry all disabled. Check Engine Light on continuously. Brake lights stay on for extended periods of time.

NHTSA ID

11686185

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

Water is entering the rear tail light assembly and dimming the tail light. The OEM seal has failed. I took this problem to my Dodge dealer, and they informed me that even with a Mopar extended warranty, they will not replace the tail light assembly because it is considered a "Bulb". That's a $2000.00 blub!

NHTSA ID

11680894

Incident

Aug 13, 2025

Water gets inside the rear tail light and the lights burn out the same with the side rear lights

NHTSA ID

11676925

Incident

Nov 29, 2022

water collects in the racing tail light which leads to electrical issues or some parts or all of the light going out.

NHTSA ID

11666862

Incident

Jun 11, 2025

The rear marker lights which are LED have shorted and are now inoperative. So at night I no longer have any rear running lights. Also the license plate lights are out. Dealer charged me $254.00 to diagnose the failed complaint and and found that the rear racetrack light and passenger rear corner light needs replaced. The estimate of repair is $254.00 for diagnosis and $2746.26 for rear race track light and pas rear corner light assembly. The dealer who is familiar with problem contacted Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with reference #931238452 looking for customer assistance with repair and dealer was told that Chrysler customer assistance would only contribute $712.85 with tax and no assistance for the $254.00 diagnosis fee. SO total out of my pocket would be $2447.08. I have read that a class action suit is underway do to the enormous amount of failures on 2017-2025 vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11664799

Incident

Jun 3, 2025

The rear light bar (race track bar) does not illuminate. Seems to be a common issue among Durango's. My rear light visibility is low now due to it being out for night driving. It also failed the two license plate lights to work which is required by MN Statute (law). I could be pulled over and issued a citation due to the issue.

NHTSA ID

11664656

Incident

Jan 4, 2024

The rear LED tail light assembly does not function. There appears to be moisture causing the LED lights to not function. Vehicle was recently serviced and was quoted $1800 for repairing the assembly. I'm concerned from a safety perspective as the tail lights will not be visible when driving at night. In addition, I see a lot of Dodge Durangos on the road where the rear tail light assembly has dimming or missing lighting, which leads me to believe there may be a design flaw.

NHTSA ID

11660401

Incident

Apr 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the rear spoiler detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact merged to the side of the road as the third brake light wire started hitting the rear glass window. The contact opened the gate, placed the wire back in the gate, and kept driving. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that a new spoiler was needed. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11646859

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

Mileage

130,000 mi

I recently ran into the issue with "Water Infilitration" in my RaceTrack strip on my Durango. I checked into it and it seems like there are thousands with this exact same issue and it is a manufacturing issue with the seals or gaskets. I've o my had my vehicle for four years and the whole racetrack LED strip needs replaced and costs thousands of dollars. There is no active recall but this seems to be a wide issueand concern among many Durango owners. I feel as this should be replaced at the manufactures expense due to faulty equipment. The tail lights work but the main LEDS in the lighting is out and also the license plate light that is controlled by the same lighting is out as well. This is not only my concern but a HUGe safety risk and financial burden for owners and operators of the vehicle. I'm taking it to be inspected at the dealership tomorrow and if legal action needs to be taken so be it. I've also documents pictures and a video from literal stand still water within the component of my racetrack lights.

NHTSA ID

11645820

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

The whole center section of lighting, located on the tailgate (liftgate) is burned out, including the license plate illumination. Apparently water gets into the "racetrack light" which I learned is what Dodge calls this center section of lighting. I have noticed there is a significant amount of water inside this section of lighting, and now it intermittently does not work. More times than not, it is completely out. As I did some research about this issue, I found that it is common for all of the 2014- 2024 Durangos.

NHTSA ID

11631315

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

The rear race track light assembly lights went out. I know there is a known issue with this light assembly.

NHTSA ID

11629415

Incident

Dec 6, 2024

The rear tail light assembly that is mounted on the tailgate (it is often referred to as a "racetrack" light) filled with water and quit working while the vehicle was under warranty. It apparently fails due to a defective seal between the lens and the housing. The light assembly was replaced under warranty and lasted approximately 1 year before leaking and filling with water again. This time it was not covered by warranty. I drained the water, but one of the license plate lights no longer illuminates. It is impossible to change just a bulb. To repair this light requires replacement of the entire assembly at a cost of approximately $2,000. Driving the vehicle with an unilluminated license plate subjects me to being stopped by law enforcement and issued a citation. This is not an isolated incident as I see countless Dodge Durangos, including many that are used by law enforcement, with the same problem.

NHTSA ID

11611434

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Center tail light has completely failed. it is still broken at the time of reporting. a majority of the rear lighting no longer works. I have not taken it to a dealership, but it is clearly not working. there is significant water build up in the tail light which is apparently a known issue. no inspection has been done. no warnings or messages. Water has been in the tail light for about 3 months. Lamp stopped illuminating 4/1/2024

NHTSA ID

11580794

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

I have moisture inside my right rear tail light assemble located on my lift gate. About 1/3 of the LED's do not light up currently. I have been to the dealership and contacted chrysler customer care. I have spent about an hour total on 2 phone calls to only be told there is nothing they can do about it.This is clearly a manufacturing defect and a common problem with Dodge Durango's, bcause I see too many with the same problem that I have and its always the center of the lift gate and the right side tail light. See attached photos fof conditiuon.

NHTSA ID

11573599

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

Both rear license plate lights are out as well as racetrack taillight on hatch has water in it. This is a known defect that is all over the web. I am going to engage dealer but car is 5 years old now. Really should be recalled as it is a danger and a super expensive repair as the entire raceway has to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11571255

Incident

Feb 10, 2024

The race track lighting on the vehicle which is the back lights has a factory defect and fills with water from rain and shorts out. Now my lights do not work and can also cause my brake lights and other lights to fail or cause an electrical fire. God forbid. This is a known problem but dodge has not made it a recall yet and should. The part is 1200 without installation.

NHTSA ID

11568646

Incident

Jan 22, 2024

My LED lighting on the lift-gate started to spot out and had condensation in the light do to the seal not being properly sealed and letting water get into the light and burning out the LED bulbs. Now my whole running lift-gate LED is out and this is very harmful for myself and other drivers on the road do to possibly being rear ended at anytime. This problem is not covered under warranty. This is unacceptable for a LED lighting system allowing water in the system to burn out the LED lighting system. Every time it rains/snows, car wash water should not be getting into the light.

NHTSA ID

11567401

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

I have moisture and water leaking into my racetrack light bar on my back lift gate I only have 28,000 miles on it I believe there should be a recall on this issue

NHTSA ID

11564209

Incident

Dec 4, 2023

The whole rear "racetrack" LED light on the lift gate fills with water and goes out. This is a VERY common and known problem by dodge/Mopar and they will not do anything to fix it. It is a $2000 out of pocket fix and that is asinine! It significantly reduces visibility from the rear of the vehicle while traveling at night.

NHTSA ID

11563228

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Water continually builds up in the middle part of the tail lights. This is now making the lights in my tail lights go out. These are lights that can't be replaced without replacing the entire piece. I see this often on Dodge Durangos of my model and it's definitely an issue. I still cannot find out how water is getting in and it will continue to make more of my taillight go out.

NHTSA ID

11550250

Incident

Oct 9, 2023

Water intrusion through tail lamp assembly causes water to pool in tail lamps and burn out rear lights, back up camera, and possible fire if not repaired. There are forums on the web dedicated to this problem.

NHTSA ID

11524168

Incident

May 27, 2023