2020 Dodge Durango Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2020 Durango most often describe water getting into the rear racetrack and tail lights, causing dimming, flickering, or lamps that stop working, and the failure is often described as spreading from one section over time. Engine power loss, vibration, and check engine lights come up next, along with less common reports of airbag warning lights and electrical fires or no-start conditions. Where mileage is listed, the light complaints fall between about 18,000 and 45,000 miles and the engine complaints between about 30,000 and 85,000.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Racetrack and tail light failures, often from water

   • 20 complaints (36%)
   • typically at 4.2 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe rear racetrack light bars and tail lights dimming, flickering, or going out, with water collecting inside the lamp assembly and in some cases causing shorts or corrosion. Some complaints say the problem begins in one section and then spreads, and that a license plate or backup light also stopped working. According to the complaints, the lamp was sometimes replaced under warranty, in other cases the repair was refused or paid by the owner, and one owner says the problem persisted even when the dealer replaced the lights. Where mileage appears in the text it ranges from about 18,000 to 45,000 miles, and the complaints were filed between 2021 and 2026, with some mentioning rain or snow.

   What to check: At night, check that the tail, license plate, and backup lights all work, and look inside the lamp lens for condensation or water. Ask whether the lamp assembly has been replaced and whether the seal and drain were checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The tail light burned out because of water intrusion. I understand there is a leaky gasket that lets water in and, in time, this moisture ruins the LED taillight. Mine gave way at 45k miles. One section on the left started fading, then the whole taillight burned out. I was reading on the Internet a lot of people report the same issue for a number of years, how is this still happening, can you please help?”

   NHTSA complaint #11561673, filed 2023-12

   “My entire lighting system in back of truck stopped working. The racetrack lighting system. The license plate lights done. I cannot drive the car at night because I will get pulled over. Dodge saying it is not covered under the extended warranty I purchased.”

   NHTSA complaint #11754292, filed 2026-08
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine power loss, vibration, and check engine lights

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the engine shaking or vibrating under heavy load or while driving, and a sudden loss of power when accelerating or passing, often with the check engine light and start-stop messages. One complaint describes a severe misfire on one cylinder that continued after the coil and spark plugs were replaced, and another reports worn cams and lifters at about 85,000 miles that the owner says the manufacturer would not cover. In one case the vehicle failed to accelerate at highway speed and had to be towed. Where mileage is listed it falls between about 30,000 and 85,000 miles, and the complaints were filed between 2023 and 2026, usually during acceleration or under heavy load.

   What to check: Ask whether any stored check engine codes were read and whether a powertrain software update was applied. On a test drive, check for hesitation, shaking, or loss of power when accelerating or passing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When accelerating to pass another car in front of us on a 2 lane highway we experienced a loss of power and all instrumentation flashed on/off/on, then it posted a check engine light and stated that auto start stop wasn't working. Power came back and we finished the pass but it could have resulted in a head on collision.”

   NHTSA complaint #11686076, filed 2025-09

   “While driving the engine began to vibrate violently and the check engine light turned on. Luckily I was close to the dealership because I live in a small town with one major road. I was able to quickly slow down without crashing or causing an accident and slowly drove to dealership. If I was at any significant speed I could have crashed injuring myself and my two small children.”

   NHTSA complaint #11613264, filed 2024-09
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning lights and seat belt faults

   Mentioned in 4 of 50 sampled complaints

   Owners describe an airbag warning light that comes on, in one case right after leaving a parking lot, and a driver seat belt buckle that does not register, which keeps a chime going and leaves the airbag system disengaged until the belt is held down. Another owner reports a driver seat belt that does not retract after release and worries it will eventually malfunction. According to the complaints, one vehicle was not covered by the recall for side curtain airbag fasteners, and the manufacturer was notified but the vehicle was not repaired. The only mileage listed is about 77,500, and these complaints were filed between 2024 and 2026.

   Recall 21V280000

   What to check: Ask for a VIN-based recall check on the side curtain airbag fasteners, and whether the airbag warning light has been diagnosed. Check that the driver seat belt latches and retracts normally, and that no airbag warning appears after starting the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My driver side seat belt doesn't roll back up after it is taken off. I have to manually force the belt to go up. This happened to my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee and there was a recall on hers. This seems to be the same issue. I am afraid that the seat belt will eventually malfunction.”

   NHTSA complaint #11565419, filed 2024-01

   “Drivers seatbelt buckle does not register, resulting in active chiming of the unbuckled seat belt alarm and disengaging of the airbag system. Driver must hold the seatbelt with downward pressure continuously in order to register the seat belt and return the vehicle to normal operating condition, and turn off the airbag system warning signs and chiming. Dealership refuses any assistance without payment despite being a vehicle safety system.”

   NHTSA complaint #11595329, filed 2024-06
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Electrical fires and crank-no-start complaints

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 70,600 mi at 4.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe fires that started in the dashboard or radio area while the vehicle was parked, and a vehicle that caught fire after being auto-started in a driveway and was then totaled. Other complaints describe a crank-no-start condition that gets worse, with one owner finding a melted fuse in the power module that the dealer confirmed as faulty, and another pointing to a fuel pump relay recall on earlier model years. According to the complaint, the dealer thought the radio or related electrical parts may have overheated. The only mileage listed is about 11,200, the complaints were filed between 2021 and 2026, and both fires occurred while the vehicle was parked or in a driveway.

   What to check: Ask whether the power module, fuses, and radio wiring were inspected, and whether any fuel pump relay or power module repair was done. Before a purchase, check that the vehicle starts normally on the first crank and look for any burnt smell from the dashboard.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The TIPM (totally intergrated power module) is faulty. The dealer has confirmed this. I have a crank no start on my vehicle. When being inspected the dealer also showed me a melted fuse in the tipm which Is very concerning. This issue occurs daily multiple times a day. There were no check engine lights to help diagnose this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11667672, filed 2025-06

   “The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that he auto-started the vehicle while it was in the driveway. The contact stated as he came outside, the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was totaled. The approximate failure mileage was 11,200.”

   NHTSA complaint #11439479, filed 2021-11, 11,200 miles

Buying note. Used-car buyers should check the rear lights at night and look for water inside the lamp lenses, and ask for records of engine and electrical repairs. Because the complaints for this model year concentrate on lighting and a smaller set on engine and restraint systems, a documented service history and a pre-purchase inspection are especially useful.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.