Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge durango. The contact stated that the tail lights retained water, causing the lights to short out. The vehicle was taken to rairdon Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of marysville (360-653-5664, located at 16610 smokey point blvd, arlington, wa 98223) where the tail lights were replaced; however, the failure recurred 19 months later. The dealer stated that the warranty…
2014 Dodge Durango lighting problems
moderate 216 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
216
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 216 lighting complaints filed for the 2014 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 16 model years of Dodge Durango we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 216.
Owners have filed 216 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Durango's rear racetrack and tailgate lights have a documented water sealing defect that causes LED failure and recurs even after replacement—some owners have had it fail 4–7 times. Budget $1,000–$2,100 per replacement and factor in recurring repairs; this is not a one-time fix.
The 2014 Durango's rear racetrack LED lights (center and side sections on the liftgate) have a widespread water intrusion problem. Owners find water pooling inside the sealed assembly after rain, car washes, or simply parked in wet conditions. The water sits in bottom corners because the housing does not drain, eventually shorting out LED segments and causing partial or total light failure. The most significant complaint: this problem recurs even after dealers replace the entire assembly.
Some owners have had the lights fail 4 to 7 times in nine years of ownership. Replacement costs range from $800 to $2,100 per assembly—high enough that many owners cannot afford to repair it. Extended warranties and standard Mopar coverage typically refuse to pay once the vehicle exits the 36-month bumper-to-bumper window. A few owners have learned to temporarily drain accumulated water by removing lower fastening bolts, but water returns after the next rain or wash, requiring repeated draining.
Owners also report cracked light lenses appearing on unmodified, garaged vehicles with no accident history, with additional cracks developing nearby. One owner documented a side license plate light that failed four times since 2015. The concern is safety: darkened brake lights reduce visibility for drivers behind you and raise the risk of rear-end collisions. Dealers and Chrysler acknowledge the design flaw but deny coverage once warranty expires.
Same Dodge Durango lighting reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Rear Lift-Gate Center Tail Light (Racetrack) Water Intrusion & LED Failure
Water pools inside the center rear tailgate 'racetrack' LED light assembly due to defective gasket seals or improper manufacturing. Water accumulates in the housing, shorts out LED segments, and causes partial or total light failure. Condensation also accumulates and persists. The design does not allow water to drain naturally. Owners report the problem recurs even after full assembly replacement.
When: Occurs during parked vehicle in rain, car washes, or extended wet weather; can manifest within months to a year of ownership or replacement. Some owners report issues appearing days after purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling or standing liquid visible inside light housing, especially in bottom corners or edges; Condensation clouding the lens; LED segments going dark or flickering; Partial or complete light failure, with some sections remaining dark; Flickering lights giving false turn-signal appearance to other drivers; Burning smell reported in at least one case
Repairs/costs cited: Entire light assembly must be replaced; individual LED segments are not serviceable. Dealer quoted costs range $800–$2,100 depending on dealership and year of repair. One owner reported draining water manually by removing lower bolts as a temporary workaround. Replacement parts reportedly on national back order, suggesting manufacturer awareness of high failure volume.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued despite widespread reports. Warranty coverage varies: some early replacements covered under bumper-to-bumper warranty; later replacements denied as out-of-warranty. Chrysler/Dodge have acknowledged the issue as a known problem at dealership level but refuse to cover repairs. Extended warranties often do not cover this failure. One dealership required manufacturer permission to replace the light a seventh time, indicating systematic tracking of repeat failures.
Rear Lift-Gate Side Tail Lights (Racetrack) Water Intrusion & LED Failure
Water enters the left and right side sections of the racetrack light assembly through faulty side seals. Water accumulates at the bottom of each light chamber and does not drain. LED lights brown out or short out on affected sides. Problem persists or recurs even after replacement assembly installation.
When: Occurs after rain, car wash, or parked in wet conditions. Can happen within first year or after several years of ownership. Recurrence common 6–24 months after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Water visible pooling in bottom corners or running side-to-side inside lens; One or both sides of the LED strip going dark or losing illumination; LED segments on one side failing while opposite side still functions; Light intermittently working or flickering during wet weather
Repairs/costs cited: Full assembly replacement required; no partial repairs possible. Costs $800–$2,100 per replacement. Owners removing lower fastening bolts can temporarily drain accumulated water, but this is not a permanent fix and requires repeated draining after rain or washing. Some owners have reported doing this multiple times per year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued. Dodge/Chrysler deny warranty coverage once vehicle is outside bumper-to-bumper period (typically 36 months). One case documented where a dealer received manufacturer permission to replace the light only up to six times before denying further replacements.
Center License Plate Light Water Intrusion & LED Failure
Water enters the LED license plate light mounted on the rear tailgate, causing LED failure. The light is fused with the tail light assembly, so failure can affect both. Repeated failures reported by owners.
When: Occurs after rain or car wash. Can fail multiple times within ownership period.
Symptoms owners cite: License plate light no longer illuminates; Water visible inside the light housing; LED segments darkened or burned out
Repairs/costs cited: License plate light must be replaced, typically costing around $300 per replacement. One owner reported replacing it at least four times since 2015, with a replacement in November 2024 already failing by time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not explicitly covered under Mopar MaxCare or standard warranties once out of bumper-to-bumper period.
Rear Light Lens Cracking & Subsequent Water Intrusion
Rear light lens develops cracks under normal conditions (no accident reported). Cracks propagate over time and allow water infiltration, leading to LED failure. One owner reported cracks appearing spontaneously on a garaged vehicle.
When: Cracks reported appearing on garaged, unmodified vehicles with no collision history. Second cracks can develop near the first crack.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible vertical or horizontal cracks in lens plastic; Water entry through cracks during rain or car wash; Multiple cracks developing in same light assembly; Condensation and water pooling inside light housing
Repairs/costs cited: One owner removed lower bolts to drain water as temporary mitigation. Full assembly replacement required for permanent fix ($800–$2,100). One owner reported $1,150 for part plus ~$135 for labor (1.5 hrs at $90/hr).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated cracking is not a known issue and not covered under warranty. No recalls issued. Manufacturer declined to repair in at least one case.
Headlight Bulb Repeated Failures & OEM Unavailability
Passenger-side headlight bulb fails repeatedly; dealer identifies this as a known issue. OEM replacement parts are no longer in production. Aftermarket bulbs installed by dealer fail to fit properly.
When: Failure mileage approximately 40,000; repeated failures at irregular intervals.
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight bulb burns out multiple times; Aftermarket replacement bulbs do not attach properly to bumper
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer installed aftermarket headlights; technician referred customer to NHTSA, confirming awareness of known issue. Vehicle not properly repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acknowledged as known issue by dealer technician. Manufacturer unable to provide OEM parts (no longer in production). No further assistance provided.
Sharp Rear Light Lens Edges Causing Lacerations
The exposed edges of the left and right rear brake lights on the open hatch are extremely sharp and unfinished. Contact with skin during cargo loading causes lacerations.
When: Occurs when hatch is open during cargo loading or unloading.
Symptoms owners cite: 3/4-inch and 3-inch skin lacerations on arm from sharp lens edges; Risk of serious cut when packages shift during unloading
Repairs/costs cited: Not mentioned as repaired or addressed by manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Synthesized from 216 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Vehicle stalled on highway when going over 40 MPH. Water gets into left rear light and causes rear lights to go out.
Water is/has pooled in the rear tail lamp mounted on the lift gate, causing the LED's to not work correctly and short out on the passenger side. I am not alone by my research on Dodge durango forums. This appears to be a universal problem with most owners whose LED's are also shorted out. I am wondering why there has not been a recall, or, if there is, I would appreciate a replacement at no cost…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge durango. The contact stated that the exterior LED lights and reverse lights seized without warning for approximately three months. The contact looked inside the light fixtures and found water. The contact replaced the exterior lighting himself, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Had lighting trouble with your 2014 Dodge Durango?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2014 Dodge Durango?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 216 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 156 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 45,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Dodge/Durango.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.