Research Another Vehicle

Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Dodge Durango is associated with 191 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 8 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING, accounting for 64 reports (34% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.6l 6-cyl, 5.7l 8-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 13 to 21 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 191 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 8 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: EXTERIOR LIGHTING (64 / 34%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 9 crash / 4 fire / 4 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 13–21 MPG across 6 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Durango RWD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Durango AWD 3.6L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Durango RWD 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
Durango AWD 5.7L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
Durango SRT AWD 6.4L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 13 MPG 19 MPG 15 MPG — $5,050 / yr
Durango SRT AWD 6.2L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 12 MPG 17 MPG 13 MPG — $5,850 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV 4WD 21.2%
SUV RWD 19.8%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Dodge Durango models.
View complete 2021 Dodge Durango crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Summary of 191 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
191
Crash Reports
9
Fire Reports
4
Complaints w/ Injury
4
Total Injuries
5

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 64 complaints (1 crash)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 17 complaints
Structure & Body 11 complaints
Engine 9 complaints
Back Over Prevention / Camera 6 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Dodge Durango problems & component breakdown (51 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V528000 Active Recall
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning September 10, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 61D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 21V842 or 23V115. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
NHTSA Campaign #24V436000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
NHTSA Campaign #23V115000 Active Recall
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 20A. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V-842.
View all 2021 Dodge Durango recalls & campaign history (8 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Dodge Durango

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Dodge Durango

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Dodge Durango have?

The 2021 Dodge Durango is associated with 8 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 8 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Dodge Durango?

NHTSA records list 191 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Dodge Durango. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is EXTERIOR LIGHTING, appearing in 64 filings (34% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Dodge Durango defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Dodge Durango?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Dodge Durango earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Dodge Durango get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Dodge Durango range from 13 to 21 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.