2017 Dodge Durango: Exterior Lighting complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints for the 2017 Dodge Durango that list the exterior lighting component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772894 (filed 10/22/2026): “The rear racetrack led keeps getting water inside them and shorting out all of the lights on the tailgate. when this happens i don’t have taillights, running lights, brake lights, reverse lights or even tag lights who’s is all extremely dangerous when driving and the car doesn’t tell me anything abo…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772784 (filed 10/21/2026): “2017 dodge durango, rear racetrack lights went out due to widely publicized problem of water getting in and shorting the lights out, also took out my license plate lights. i had to get it replaced so i didnt get fined for the license plate lights being out. dodge just announced a program for 2018-2…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11725587 (filed 03/19/2026): “Approximately 3 years ago we noticed water accumulating in the rear light. they refer to it as a race track light bar. went to dealer who said not covered under warranty, and it would be $1,455 to replace. i did not have the money at that time to replace it. so we kept draining the water, as i notic…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
LED DRLs are often integrated into the headlamp assembly, which may require bumper removal. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
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Sources
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