2021 Dodge Durango Exterior lighting Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11761144

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11760600

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11759317

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

Driver side DRL went out at 50k miles.

NHTSA ID

11759314

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11759312

Incident

Nov 30, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11759301

Incident

Aug 7, 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.

NHTSA ID

11759284

Incident

Jun 13, 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

NHTSA ID

11759186

Incident

Aug 20, 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.

NHTSA ID

11759145

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

There is a daytime running light (DRL) malfunction with both headlights, it started with the drivers side slowly going out and now the passenger side is slowly going out. This is happening to several Dodge Durango owners of the 2021 model and can be found in the Dodge Durango forum online. The dealer stated it’s an out of pocket expense because the DRL is out and the entire component needs replaced. This is inaccurate because when I turn off the DRL settings the turning signal flashes orange fast so this tells me it’s not completely out and the headlights themselves work. My car has been this way for over a year because I can’t afford to spend $1500+ per light replacement and for the dealer to claim it has to be an out of pocket expense is not okay because the point of LED lights are because they use less energy while lasting 25x as much so it doesn’t make sense that they stopped turning on versus the non LED. While driving around I’ve seen SEVERAL Dodge Durango with a DRL out or both or one out and the other half way out so this confirms it’s a manufacture issue. I came across forums of people with this issue and full extended warranty coverages where they’re being told it’s not covered. Dodge(Mopar) needs to address this for the consumer as it causes a safety issue when the left/right turning signals are not properly displayed. The car wouldn’t pass a safety test. Myself and several Dodge Durango owners are currently at risk of being in a car accident due to this malfunction. The full assembly does not need replaced. Please look this over and issue a safety recall as my family and I are at risk because I can’t afford a $3000 headlight replacement that isn’t even needed. That’s just the dealer and Mopar trying to make more $$$ while not worried about the safety of their customers.

NHTSA ID

11758224

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11754067

Incident

Mar 1, 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.

NHTSA ID

11746753

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11740803

Incident

May 4, 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.

NHTSA ID

11740337

Incident

May 13, 2026

Mileage

56,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11739953

Incident

May 10, 2026

The DRL failed - seems like it is due to a faulty ground connection on CANBUS.

NHTSA ID

11738225

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11737899

Incident

Mar 16, 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.

NHTSA ID

11736018

Incident

Feb 13, 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.

NHTSA ID

11732873

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11732184

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11730888

Incident

Apr 3, 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.

NHTSA ID

11723453

Incident

Mar 2, 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.

NHTSA ID

11721741

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11721054

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11719174

Incident

Oct 19, 2025

Mileage

37,000 mi