RoadVitals

2021 Dodge Durango Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
80
Latest Jul 31, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
43%
of 187 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Dodge Durango submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 80 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 80, in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 31, 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

NHTSA ID
11754067
Incident
Mar 1, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 26, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed May 29, 2026

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

NHTSA ID
11740803
Incident
May 4, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed May 27, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed May 25, 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.

NHTSA ID
11739953
Incident
May 10, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed May 16, 2026

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

NHTSA ID
11738225
Incident
Nov 1, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed May 14, 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.

NHTSA ID
11737899
Incident
Mar 16, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 6, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 21, 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
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 19, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 13, 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

NHTSA ID
11730888
Incident
Apr 3, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 10, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 3, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 27, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 19, 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
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 11, 2026

The Durango seems to have a defect that should be a recall. If you look up the issues online everyone has the same issue. It puts yourself and others at risk because you may be unaware that your light is not working properly. Please see description below that is right online: Symptoms: Water inside the housing, dimming, flickering, or total failure of the light bar. Causes: Defective sealing allows water from rain, snow, or car washes to enter the assembly. Safety Risk: The issue is subject to a class-action lawsuit (2014-2023 models) alleging the failed lights create a safety hazard. I only found out because someone was behind me and said that my lights seem to be going bad. There are forums all over with all durango's being effected. This needs to be a safety recall.

NHTSA ID
11717177
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 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.

NHTSA ID
11714208
Incident
Jan 29, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 27, 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.

NHTSA ID
11713765
Incident
Jan 13, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 19, 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.

NHTSA ID
11711808
Incident
Jan 8, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2026

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

NHTSA ID
11709545
Incident
Jan 6, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 6, 2026

known issue with Driver side DRL going out and whole headlight unit has to be replaced according to dealer.

NHTSA ID
11709120
Incident
May 9, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2026

Driver side daytime running light failure. The entire headlight assembly must be replaced. There is reduced visibility, which is a safety concern. The cost to repair is $1,800, which is outrageous for a single headlight assembly. LEDs should not fail at 80K mileage on a car that is less than six years old. This appears to be a known defect on Dodge Durangos.

NHTSA ID
11708948
Incident
Jan 27, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 14, 2025

Driver side DRL (daytime running light) quit functioning. This a known issue with the LED lamps. The attached photos are: 1. Rockauto description 2. Email showing order # and total for both Headlamp assemblies. 3. The removed, old OEM Headlamp assemblies. 4. Rockauto shipping bill.

NHTSA ID
11704921
Incident
Aug 20, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 11, 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 .

NHTSA ID
11704629
Incident
Nov 13, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2025

My 2021 Dodge Durango drivers side daytime running light went out around 55,000 miles. I do have an extended warranty through the manufacturer, but was informed that this is not a covered part despite it being a known issue and a “max care warranty”. The reason being that it is considered a “bulb” however to replace it requires the entire new left headlamp assembly to be replaced, per the dealership. This is a high cost of around $1650. Regardless of the cost, This is a safety issue and a concern for myself as well as others on the road. I understand that this is a known and ongoing problem with the 2021 dodge durangos in particular the drivers side daytime running light which does not have a safe, cost effective fix. I ask for you to take a look at the many people who have been impacted and the safety concern associated with this.

NHTSA ID
11702384
Incident
Jun 1, 2024

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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