2019 Dodge Durango Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2019 Dodge Durango, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Dodge Durango, 2012 to 2024 model years
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2019 compares

One of the better Durango years

Owners filed about 35% fewer complaints than a typical Durango year. The area owners reported most is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 21,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Durango years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Dodge Durango. The most reported problem area is the lights, wipers and visibility (46, 32% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 9th of 13 Durango years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.

Complaints146filed with NHTSA
Recalls4for this model year
Crashes58 injuries reported
Fires2reported in complaints
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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2019 Dodge Durango before you buy.

Lights, wipers and visibility

46 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The rear race track light and license plate lights failed to work due to a faulty gasket or seal on the light. Faulty in the manufacturing process and now to repair this issue is $1500 or more. The vehicle can not be inspected and used do to the lights not working.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Water is entering the rear tail light assembly and dimming the tail light. The OEM seal has failed. I took this problem to my Dodge dealer, and they informed me that even with a Mopar extended warranty, they will not replace the tail light assembly because it is considered a "Bulb". That's a $2000.00 blub!Owner complaint, filed 2025

Electrical system

39 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Started receiving an auto start error message on the dash. Then after long drives vehicle would not start up without a jump. Went to test battery and it failed while connected to vehicle. I bought a new battery, I installed it, and then tested it and failed the test. I then checked the old battery (not connected) and it past. Which means…Owner complaint, filed 2024
2019 Dodge Durango Rear Center Liftgate Tail Light Assembly Lift Gate Back Up Light Lamp OEM#68453659AA. Water pools into the rear lights from poor gaskets and has caused my rear lights to go on and off, LED light has burned out due to the water pooling into the electrics. I have seen 100's of reports on the internet on this issue and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Engine and cooling

28 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

At 30,000 had one blown head gasket and a few thousand miles later another blown head gasket. Regular maintenance and oil changes have been done and maintenance. Then last year my cam Shalf had to be replaced and now again a head gasket again. Several cylinders are missing firing. When I took in and they replaced the cam Shalf, I took it…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Oil cooler failure .I am concerned because my mechanic says this is a common problem with this type of motor. Why isn't it recall.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Brakes and stability control

28 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); according to the contact, the vehicle was partially repaired but was being charged for the hydraulic control unit which the contact believes is part of the recall repair; however the dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Transmission and drivetrain

13 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The vent tube leading to the transmission came disconnected and sucked up water into my transmission. Leading to the transmission to not have any power. My son and I were in the the car trying to go up the hill when it lost power and started rolling backwards down the hill into traffic with the gas pedal to the floor. The mechanic at…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated that the vehicle was not accelerating as needed. The contact noticed the drive(d) indicator light was blinking and the vehicle was jerking. There was a park warning light illuminated. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 53,000 miles

Fuel system

8 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The vehicle fails to start reliably. I have made all the necessary repairs in an attempt to have the car to start reliably. I have replaced items that the average owner would think are normal wear-and-tear items around the starting system. I have also replaced items that the average owner would not think would wear out and need…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was restarted; however, occasionally the vehicle was slow to restart or failed to restart. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 20,000 miles

Air bags

7 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Headrest Explosion in my driveway parked. Its confirmed by my dealer and its in their possession while I have a rental. No accident had occurred and dealer inspected and no accident had been detected. No indication that this would have happened previously. Im in fear of my safety and have 2 special needs children that rides in my vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I had a car accident on 1/29/24 .Regarding to my car damages . Airbags did not deploy during the accident.I believe my speed was 29-35 mph typically airbags deploy when the crash is the equivalent of an impact into a rigid wall at 10-12 mph.is anything we can do here please? Wasn’t my fault another car moved on the red light during…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Steering

6 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Electronic power steering locks the wheel while turning. Have to use excessive force to get it out of the stuck position. I have went through several forums trying to figure out why this happens there are many other customers experiencing the same problem. There is no power steering pump to replace so this could be an absolute danger to…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Goodyear examined my Durango on October 4th 2023. Examination results reported a flawed electromechanical steering gearbox. Price to repair including parts, upwards of 4,000 dollars. I have a prepaid warranty covering repairs and parts. Parts availability from the Chrysler corporation are the issue. The dealership Orange Park Chrysler…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Cruise control and acceleration

5 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

3 Years of a recall with no remedy by the manufacturer. Repeated inquiries with the same answer. Electronic Stability Control, Cruise Control, and Keyless Entry all disabled. Check Engine Light on continuously. Brake lights stay on for extended periods of time.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while the accelerator pedal…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 60,000 miles

Seats and seat belts

5 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The driverside headrest has spontaneously deployed, it is due to an internal failure where a plastic retention bracket cracks. It is a known issue for earlier model years, but 2019 has been left out of the warranty extension (2018 is the end of the current coverage period). This is the same headrest design/part that is covered for repair…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The driver and passenger front seat seat belts do not retract. They hang loose when on and if the windows are open will even loosen up more when wind catches them. This is an extreme safety concern if an accident were to happen the seat belt would not hold us in place.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Body, doors and structure

4 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact inspected the tailgate and became aware that there was water inside the tailgate housing. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 80,000 miles
The contact's mother owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while his mother was driving 65 MPH, the rear spoiler detached from the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 55,000 miles

Suspension

3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2019 Dodge Durango R/T began experiencing drivetrain and warning system issues after collision/body repairs were completed by a repair facility. The original repair work involved suspension/body-related repairs and did not originally include documented transfer case or internal drivetrain damage. At the time I picked the vehicle up…Owner complaint, filed 2026
We were notified of a recall in Nov 2024 with a first quarter of 2025 fix. We are now 1 year later and still no fix, clearly a safety issue and I cannot trade in or sell legally without the fix. I am stuck with a vehicle with known safety issues and Chrysler is being allowed to just ignore it.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Driver assist systems

2 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact’s fiancé owns a 2019 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while his fiancé was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Adaptive Cruise Control was set to an undisclosed speed; the contact’s fiancé, depressed the brake pedal however, the cruise control remained active. The contact then stated that his fiancé had to apply added…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 64,300 miles
2019 Didge Durango. Purchased used with c.22k miles on the clock. Have driven c2.5k miles and the following has happened 3 times. When accelerating the car seems to lose power momentarily and then gets stuck in third gear. Cannot shift up or down. After parking and restarting the engine the issue is resolved but the check engine light…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Dodge Durango complaints by year

Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2019 midsize SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2019 Dodge DurangoOne of the better years4Lights, wipers and visibility
2019 Toyota HighlanderAmong the worst years3Transmission and drivetrain
2019 Honda PilotAmong the worst years13Electrical system
2019 Subaru AscentWorse than most years9Electrical system
Compare side by side

2019 Dodge Durango recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2019 Dodge Durango, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Brakes Control unit / module

Nov 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V838000
Risk
A vehicle that can be started and shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Fix
Dealers will replace the integrated pressure transducer and update the ABS module software, as necessary free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may incorrectly illuminate the brake lights and disable the ABS and electronic stability control (ESC). In addition, the vehicle operator may be able to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.

Brakes Control unit / module

Jun 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V426000
Risk
A vehicle that starts and shifts out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Fix
This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 24V838.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.

Backup camera

Sep 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V191000
Risk
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Transmission and drivetrain Differential unit

Mar 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V183000
Risk
A sudden loss of power while driving or loss of the transmission PARK function can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front differential, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. The front differential may have been assembled with pinion gears that are insufficiently hardened, which can lead to the gear teeth wearing down. If both pinion gears have their teeth sufficiently worn off, torque power can not be transferred from the front wheels to the driveline, resulting in loss of power while driving and loss of the PARK function when stationary.

2019 Dodge Durango questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Dodge Durango?

The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Dodge Durango are the lights, wipers and visibility (46 complaints), the electrical system (39 complaints) and the engine and cooling (28 complaints).

Is the 2019 Dodge Durango a good year to buy?

One of the better Durango years. Owners filed about 35% fewer complaints than a typical Durango year. The area owners reported most is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 21,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Durango years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2019 Dodge Durango have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2019 Dodge Durango. The most recent, from Nov 2024, covers the control unit / module. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2019 Dodge Durango problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 21,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 10,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Dodge Durango years should I avoid?

The Durango years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.