2018 Dodge Durango: Starts then shuts off immediately
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Durango report: starts then shuts off immediately. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 38,650 miles.
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints for the 2018 Durango in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11762926 (filed 09/08/2026): “I purchased a 2018 dodge durango. shortly after purchasing the vehicle, moisture was present inside the rear liftgate/racetrack lamp assembly and portions of the rear lighting did not operate. the selling dealership inspected and repaired the vehicle. its rep…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11730341 (filed 04/10/2026): “Water in racetrack tailgate taillights…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: bcm replaced after 9 months of trial and error (1 reports) fuel tank harness and body side connector replaced (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Starts then shuts off immediately (2018 Durango)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2018 Durango
Page last updated .