2021 Dodge Durango: Exterior Lighting complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 94 owner complaints for the 2021 Dodge Durango that list the exterior lighting component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11773942 (filed 10/27/2026): “Dodge durango daytime running lights are a known problem. running lights commonly stop working on 2020+ dodge durango’s. it is not a replaceable bulb, the entire headlight assembly must be replaced. this is a safety concern as many people do not turn their lights on while driving in fog. dodge needs…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11774115 (filed 10/27/2026): “I am filing a safety complaint regarding the defective rear liftgate led taillamp assembly (“racetrack” lighting) on my 2021 dodge durango gt. sections of the led lighting have burned out and no longer illuminate, reducing rear visibility and creating a potential collision hazard, particularly at ni…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11773101 (filed 10/22/2026): “The rear license plate light burned out and i was pulled over. i ordered 2 new lights and installed them. neither worked. i put the old lights back in and then both stopped working. then the race track light failed. additionally, the front headlight race track also failed. this is a know manuf…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
Some of these complaints describe water or moisture in the rear liftgate (racetrack) taillamp and LEDs going out. Other complaints here describe front daytime running lights, which this extension does not mention. Dodge announced on October 21, 2026 that it is extending warranty coverage for the liftgate taillamp assembly on certain 2018-2024 Dodge Durango vehicles to five years with unlimited miles from the in-service date (or six months from the customer notification date for vehicles already past that), covering rear taillamp LEDs that do not or only partially illuminate; owners who already paid for this repair may be eligible for reimbursement at fcarecallreimbursement.com. Coverage depends on your VIN: ask a Dodge dealer or call Dodge Customer Care (1-800-4ADodge) before paying. Otherwise, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and have the lamp circuit 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.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- NHTSA complaints API: DURANGO 2021
- NHTSA complaints API: DURANGO SRT 2021
- Stellantis Media: Dodge Extends Taillamp Coverage (Durango), Oct 21, 2026
Page last updated .