Is the Toyota Highlander more reliable than the Dodge Durango?

No, they are effectively tied. Both are rated good. The Highlander has lower annual repair costs, while the Durango has fewer unscheduled shop visits and fewer recalls. The chance of a major repair is 13% for each, so neither has a clear reliability edge.

Which has more recalls, the Highlander or the Durango?

The Highlander has more. Federal recall records show 66 across model years 2018 to 2026, against 27 for the Durango. Owner complaints follow the same direction in raw count, but per 10,000 sold the rates are close at 5.8 and 5.4.

Which costs less to repair?

The Highlander. Independent repair-cost data puts it at about $489 a year, against $675 for the Durango. Over five years that is roughly $930 saved. The Durango does go to the shop slightly less often, at 0.2 unscheduled visits a year versus 0.3.

What is the common Durango tail light problem?

Water leaks into the liftgate racetrack tail light and burns out LED sections. The license plate lights usually fail too. It shows up as early as 17,000 to 28,000 miles. Single bulbs cannot be replaced, so owners were quoted roughly $1,500 to $2,000 for a full assembly.

Does the Highlander have air bag problems?

Owners report them, and the area has 41 crash-linked complaints, the most of any Highlander problem area. Most describe front impacts with no deployment. Others describe a restraint warning light at startup after the car sits in the sun, which a restart clears.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared

Dodge Durango

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Highlander

Good

Toyota Highlander and Dodge Durango come out effectively tied on reliability. The Highlander costs less to repair, but the Durango has fewer recalls. Both are rated good. The deciding facts are the yearly repair cost gap and each model's own weak spots, covered below.

How Do the Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?

Most Highlanders you will see sit in the fourth generation (XU70), which covers 2020 through 2026. The 2018 and 2019 models belong to the third generation (XU50), which was refreshed for 2017. A fifth generation (XU80) is listed starting with the 2027 model year, so any 2026 or earlier Highlander is the outgoing design. The Durango's generation data shows one generation across this range, the third (WD), which began in 2011. It was facelifted in 2014 and again in 2021. Shoppers choosing between 2018 and 2020 are buying the pre-2021 look, while 2021 and later carry the facelift.

Verdict

The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Dodge Durango, scoring 73/100 vs 72/100.

Effectively tied. Both models sit in good standing, and neither pulls clear on the numbers that matter most. The Highlander costs less each year to repair. The Durango needs fewer unscheduled shop visits and has far fewer recalls. The chance that a repair is major is the same for both, and complaint rates per vehicle sold are close. The choice comes down to which risks you would rather carry: the Highlander's transmission and air bag reports, or the Durango's tail light leaks and brake hydraulic parts waits.

Key Differences

1Toyota Highlander costs $186 less per year to repair
2Dodge Durango has 39 fewer total recalls
3Toyota Highlander scores 1 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Dodge Durango

—

3Toyota Highlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Dodge Durango	Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score	72/100	73/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	27	66
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.4	5.8
Annual Repair Cost	$675/yr	$489/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander?

Cost and crash exposure set these profiles apart. Highlander owners report a whine that ends in transmission failure, with dealer quotes of $8,500 to $10,000. Air bags stand out, with 41 crash-linked complaints, mostly front impacts with no deployment. The front lower bumper cover has also detached at highway speed. Durango complaints center on water and parts waits. Racetrack tail lights leak and burn out, and brake hydraulic recall parts were unavailable for a year or more. Durango engine complaints carry no crash links, and air bags are not a main problem area.

Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Durango	Toyota Highlander
POWER TRAIN	0.5Very Low	1.5Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.3Low	0.4Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.3Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.2Very Low	0.8Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.3Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEATS	0.1Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Durango or Toyota Highlander?

Lower yearly repair spending goes to the Highlander, at an estimated $489 against $675 for the Durango. Over five years that adds up to about $930 saved. The Durango makes up some ground on visits, with 0.2 unscheduled shop trips a year against 0.3. The chance that any repair turns out to be major is 13% for both, so the Highlander's edge is in everyday costs, not in avoiding big bills.

How Does Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Dodge Durango	Toyota Highlander	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 0C	84/1000R / 0C	Toyota Highlander
2025	78/1000R / 5C	76/1008R / 40C	Dodge Durango
2024	78/1000R / 6C	67/10016R / 198C	Dodge Durango
2023	75/1002R / 27C	73/10013R / 140C	Dodge Durango
2022	71/1006R / 47C	74/1007R / 186C	Toyota Highlander
2021	65/1007R / 159C	70/1006R / 403C	Toyota Highlander
2020	72/1003R / 62C	71/1008R / 269C	Dodge Durango
2019	67/1004R / 128C	70/1003R / 414C	Toyota Highlander
2018	64/1005R / 219C	72/1005R / 242C	Toyota Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Dodge Durango scored 78/100 and the 2022 Toyota Highlander scored 74/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Durango vs the Toyota Highlander?

Pick the Highlander if your priority is lower running costs. Its estimated repair bill is $489 a year, against $675 for the Durango. Avoid 2021 and 2024, its weakest years. Test drive for any whine under acceleration, and check that the front bumper cover sits tight. Newer years show fewer complaints mostly because they have had less time to collect them, so do not treat that as proof of better quality. Pick the Durango if you want the larger vehicle and fewer trips to the shop, at 0.2 unscheduled visits a year. Avoid 2018 and 2021, its weakest years. Look inside the rear tail lights for moisture, since a full replacement assembly was quoted at roughly $1,500 to $2,000. Ask whether brake light or ABS warnings ever appeared, because owners waited a year or more for brake hydraulic parts. Skip 2021 on either model.

Dodge Durango vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Toyota Highlander more reliable than the Dodge Durango?: No, they are effectively tied. Both are rated good. The Highlander has lower annual repair costs, while the Durango has fewer unscheduled shop visits and fewer recalls. The chance of a major repair is 13% for each, so neither has a clear reliability edge.
Which has more recalls, the Highlander or the Durango?: The Highlander has more. Federal recall records show 66 across model years 2018 to 2026, against 27 for the Durango. Owner complaints follow the same direction in raw count, but per 10,000 sold the rates are close at 5.8 and 5.4.
Which costs less to repair?: The Highlander. Independent repair-cost data puts it at about $489 a year, against $675 for the Durango. Over five years that is roughly $930 saved. The Durango does go to the shop slightly less often, at 0.2 unscheduled visits a year versus 0.3.
What is the common Durango tail light problem?: Water leaks into the liftgate racetrack tail light and burns out LED sections. The license plate lights usually fail too. It shows up as early as 17,000 to 28,000 miles. Single bulbs cannot be replaced, so owners were quoted roughly $1,500 to $2,000 for a full assembly.
Does the Highlander have air bag problems?: Owners report them, and the area has 41 crash-linked complaints, the most of any Highlander problem area. Most describe front impacts with no deployment. Others describe a restraint warning light at startup after the car sits in the sun, which a restart clears.

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Decided between Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander

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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