Last updated: 2026-10-10
Dodge Durango Reliability by Year
Dodge Durango reliability is good and close to the SUV average. The 2024 is the pick, and leaking rear taillights are the main thing to check.
Dodge Durango Reliability Overview
Owners rate the Durango as a good used buy, and its repair costs run below the full-size SUV average. The 2024 is the year to favor, while 2018 and 2021 deserve caution. The biggest complaint is rear taillights that fill with water and fail, taking the plate lights and backup camera with them. Less often, the transmission drops into neutral while driving.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2011–2023), facelifted 2021, 2014.
Best & Worst Dodge Durango Years
Best Dodge Durango Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has no recalls and only 6 owner complaints, against 219 for the 2018 and 159 for the 2021. Part of that gap is time on the road, but the 2024 has been out long enough to build a record. Lighting is not among its top reported areas, unlike the weaker years.
Dodge Durango Years to Avoid
Water gets into the tailgate taillight assembly and shorts it out, killing the tail lights, license plate lights, and sometimes the backup camera. Replacement is quoted at $1,200 to over $2,000. Owners also report the touchscreen changing settings on its own and head restraints firing without a crash.
Dodge Durango Reliability Score Trend
Dodge Durango reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 77/100 compared to 67/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Dodge Durango
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Ranks first of nine scored Durango years, with no complaints or recalls on file so far and a better standing than the 2025 model.
2025 Dodge Durango
0 recalls · 5 complaints
Good reliability with no recalls and few complaints, mostly about driver aids and the infotainment screen cutting out.
2024 Dodge Durango
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Above average among 2024 SUVs with no recalls and few complaints, a clear step up from the 2023 model's 27 complaints and 2 recalls.
2023 Dodge Durango
2 recalls · 27 complaints
Final third-generation year, with mid-pack reliability, fewer complaints than 2022, and shifter and transmission warnings as the main problem.
2022 Dodge Durango
6 recalls · 47 complaints
Middle of the pack among Durango years, with far fewer complaints than 2021 but a common daytime running light failure and coolant line leaks.
2021 Dodge Durango
7 recalls · 159 complaints
Seven recalls and 159 complaints make this one of the weaker Durango years, with dead daytime running lights and loose rear spoilers leading the reports.
2020 Dodge Durango
3 recalls · 62 complaints
Mid-pack among Durango years, with fewer complaints and recalls than 2019 or 2021, but liftgate taillight leaks stand out.
2019 Dodge Durango
4 recalls · 128 complaints
Rated good but among the weaker Durango years, with leaking tail lights and brake recall repairs that owners say waited on parts.
2018 Dodge Durango
5 recalls · 219 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored Durango years, with taillight water leaks, ghost-touch screens, and ABS brake module complaints leading the list.
Found Your Dodge Durango? Check Its History
Electrical system (2) problems come up most in Dodge Durango owner complaints, and 27 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Dodge Durango Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$675
Repair Frequency
0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk
13%
$109 below the fullsize SUVs average of $784/yr.
Ranked #3 of 14 among fullsize SUVs.
Dodge Durango Resale Value
The Dodge Durango is estimated to retain about 65.2% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 65.2%
- Depreciation
- 34.8%
- Listings Analyzed
- 179
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Dodge Durango depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comDodge Durango Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare Dodge Durango With Similar SUVs
The Dodge Durango competes with other full-size suvs such as Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Highlander.
Durango vs Chevrolet Tahoe
9 years tracked · 971 complaints
Durango vs Ford Explorer
9 years tracked · 2694 complaints
Durango vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
Durango vs Jeep Grand Cherokee
9 years tracked · 2592 complaints
Durango vs Honda Pilot
9 years tracked · 2382 complaints
More Dodge Durango comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Dodge Durango year to buy?
- The 2024 is the best pick. It has no recalls and very few owner complaints, and it has been on the road long enough to trust that record. The 2026 rates well but is too new to judge, so do not favor it yet.
- Is the Dodge Durango reliable?
- Yes, overall reliability is good and close to average among SUVs. The trouble is concentrated in a few years, mainly 2018 and 2021. Newer years have far fewer complaints, though some of that is simply less time on the road.
- What are the most common Dodge Durango problems?
- Electrical faults and exterior lighting lead the complaints. Water gets into the rear taillight and shorts it out, and the touchscreen can change settings on its own. Less often, the transmission drops into neutral, or the 3.6L V6 suffers camshaft and lifter failure.
- How much does it cost to repair a Dodge Durango?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual cost at $675, below the $784 average for full-size SUVs. Single repairs can still be costly. Owners report replacing a leaking taillight or headlamp assembly at $1,200 to over $2,000.
- Does the Dodge Durango have engine problems?
- Some owners report them. On the 3.6L V6, camshaft and lifter failure causes misfires, a flashing check engine light, and power loss. Ticking on cold starts often comes first. Head gasket failure is the second pattern, reported at 47,000 and 120,000 miles.
How we score the Dodge Durango
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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