Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
moderate Owners of the 2021 Dodge Durango have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Durango | 4 |
| 2021 Durango (this page) | 11 |
Of the 11 body complaints filed for the 2021 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
Among the 10 model years of Dodge Durango in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Liftgate Intermittently Inoperative. Will Not Open/ Close. Liftgate/Hatch Ajar Message Displayed. Rev A
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Liftgate Intermittently Inoperative. Will Not Open/ Close. Liftgate/Hatch Ajar Message Displayed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Passive Entry Exterior Door Handle Inoperative When Touched To Lock And Or Unlock.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The dominant complaint is rear spoiler detachment while driving highway speeds. Owners report the spoiler separating at 45–70 MPH, sometimes striking the rear windshield, wiper assembly, or roadway. One owner specifically noted the spoiler was held by only one latch and a camera wire. Several owners attempted to use the dealer for recall repairs under campaigns 21V842000 and 23V115000, but found their VINs not covered by the recall despite experiencing the identical failure.
A smaller group reports the power liftgate failing to auto-reverse when obstructed. The owner's manual states the liftgate should reverse automatically after detecting obstruction, but owners report it instead squeezes the object and stalls. FCA field representatives and technicians confirmed the issue can be replicated, yet called it normal design. One owner noted the vehicle spent 45 days at the dealer without resolution.
One owner reported a gasoline odor in the cabin at 15,000 miles causing physical illness, with no warning lights and dealer unable to reproduce it.
A final complaint concerns an open recall where Chrysler ordered the part but has no inventory and cannot provide an ETA, despite customer care stating the vehicle is safe to drive.
Rear spoiler separates from vehicle body while driving at highway speeds (45–70 MPH), sometimes striking rear windshield, wiper assembly, or highway surface. Owners report spoiler held by inadequate fastening—in one case explicitly one latch and camera wire. No prior warning, no illuminated warning lights in most cases.
When: Between 5,000 and 49,000 miles; one failure noted at approximately 31,911 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud sound or banging from rear area as spoiler partially or fully detaches; Spoiler visibly hanging from vehicle or completely separated; Rear windshield and rear wiper struck by detaching spoiler; Small hose and wire exposed after separation
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 21V842000 (Structure), NHTSA Campaign 23V115000 (Structure)
Repairs/costs cited: Rear spoiler replacement required; repair delayed or unavailable due to parts shortage. Some owners retrieved detached spoiler from roadside; vehicle not repaired in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaigns 21V842000 and 23V115000 issued for rear spoiler; however, many VINs reported not included in recall coverage despite exhibiting identical failure. Parts distribution backlogs noted; no ETA provided for repair completion.
Power liftgate does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is encountered during closing, contradicting the owner's manual. Instead, liftgate squeezes the obstructed object and attempts to latch while stalling. Failure replicated by technicians at multiple dealerships. Pinch sensors examined but not identified as root cause; suspected poor design of liftgate strut assembly.
When: Unspecified; vehicle spent 45 days in shop for diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate continues to close and squeeze against obstruction rather than reversing; Liftgate stalls instead of reversing after obstruction detected; Dashboard displays 'obstruction detected' warning but liftgate does not auto-recoil; Liftgate appears latched but is actually unlatched, discovered later
Repairs/costs cited: Extended dealer diagnostics (45 days); no repair performed. Technicians examined pinch sensors; defect suspected in liftgate strut design or control logic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA Corporate and field representatives acknowledged complaint and stated behavior is normal operating design. FCA executive agreed that instruction manual does not align with actual function. No recall or service bulletin mentioned.
Owner detected gasoline odor inside vehicle while driving, causing physical illness. No check-engine light or warning illuminated. Dealer unable to reproduce the issue during inspection.
When: At 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline smell in vehicle interior while driving; Owner felt physically ill from fumes; No warning lights activated
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 23V115000 (Structure)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner associated failure with recall campaign 23V115000; VIN not included in that campaign. Manufacturer not notified by owner.
Owner issued official recall paperwork and directed to dealer for assessment. Dealer confirmed recall part replacement needed but Chrysler cannot source the part. Chrysler Customer Care stated vehicle is safe to drive and provided no ETA or alternative resolution, declining to use expedite programs previously available to fleet customers.
When: Unspecified; complaint filed while awaiting recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Recall paperwork received in mail; Dealer confirmed part must be ordered and replaced; No parts in inventory; no ETA provided
Repairs/costs cited: Recall part on indefinite backorder with no estimated arrival date. Owner notes expedite programs exist (formerly used for fleet customers) but Chrysler Customer Care claimed no such program available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued and parts ordered; however, Chrysler stated parts unavailable indefinitely and vehicle is safe to drive pending repair. Customer Care declined to utilize expedite services.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled a gasoline odor in the interior of the vehicle. As a result, the contact started to feel physically ill, potentially compromising his health. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 11 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 25,982 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover body issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.