Uconnect® Screen Turns Blank Or Black Customers may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● The Uconnect® screen display goes blank/black at times.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Dodge Durango electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2021 Dodge Durango have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Durango | 54 |
| 2018 Durango | 77 |
| 2019 Durango | 30 |
| 2020 Durango | 7 |
| 2021 Durango (this page) | 39 |
| 2022 Durango | 9 |
| 2023 Durango | 6 |
3crashes
1fire
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 electrical 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.
Electrical accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
Power Liftgate Intermittently Inoperative. Will Not Open/ Close. Liftgate/Hatch Ajar Message Displayed. Rev A
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Radio/ETM is Adding Approximately 27mA Draw to Vehicle When in Logistics Mode
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 ↗Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Durango electrical problems span the entire vehicle: sealed LED headlight assemblies fail prematurely (driver-side DRL, passenger turn signal), forcing $800–$1,200 per-side replacements; rear racetrack taillights accumulate water and burn out; and the infotainment system crashes, pixelates, and triggers false error messages that block the backup camera view while driving.
Owners report widespread system failures—windows, door locks, lane assist, climate controls, even the electronic shifter—turning on and off randomly while driving. The push-button start requires multiple attempts; one vehicle shifted into neutral by itself on the highway. One critical incident involved unintended acceleration causing a collision when the vehicle lurched forward twice despite hard braking. Another vehicle caught fire while parked at 22,000 miles; the fire department identified an electrical origin.
Dealers have been unable to reproduce problems or have resorted to ordering electrical wiring harnesses as a fix. Extended warranties often deny coverage, citing "normal wear" on sealed components that cost $1,000+ to replace. Infotainment software updates have been reported to disable the radio, leaving owners to pay out of pocket. The pattern of driver-side DRL failures—always the same light, always the same model year—suggests a manufacturing defect rather than random component failure, yet no recall has been issued.
Same Dodge Durango electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Daytime Running Light (DRL) and turn signal LED failure
Driver-side DRL and/or passenger-side front turn signal LEDs fail prematurely. The DRL and turn signal components are integrated into sealed LED headlight assemblies with no replaceable bulbs; full headlight assembly replacement is the only repair option. Owners report this as a widespread, pattern-based failure across 2021–2023 model years, suggesting the root cause is an electrical or component design issue rather than simultaneous LED burnout.
When: Between 22,000 and 67,000 miles; often within the first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side DRL stops working or works improperly; Passenger-side front turn signal fails; Both DRL and turn signal components fail within a short period; Reduced vehicle visibility to oncoming traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Full LED headlight assembly replacement quoted at $800–$1,200 per side plus labor; approximately $1,650 total for one side in some cases. Extended warranty does not cover the repair, citing it as a 'bulb' or 'normal wear' despite the sealed design.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Stellantis has faced known issues with sealed LED lighting on the Durango's racetrack taillight assemblies, indicating a broader LED reliability problem. No recall issued. Extended warranties do not cover the repair.
Rear racetrack taillight water intrusion and LED failure
Water accumulates inside the sealed rear racetrack taillight assembly, causing LED components to flicker, malfunction, or fail completely. The taillight is not properly sealed at the factory. Owners report observing water in the assembly after rain or normal washing. This problem is widely documented in the owner community and acknowledged by Mopar.
When: Can appear within 1 year of ownership; observed after rain or vehicle washing
Symptoms owners cite: Water visible inside the rear taillight assembly; LEDs flicker or stop working; Brake lights partially or completely out; Reduced rear visibility at night, especially for brake indication
Repairs/costs cited: Full rear taillight assembly replacement quoted at 'astronomical amounts of money.' Repair cost not specified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mopar is aware of the issue. No recall issued; issue is treated as a repair-at-cost matter.
Intermittent electrical system malfunctions affecting multiple vehicle systems
All major electrical systems on the vehicle periodically malfunction independently and simultaneously, including power windows, door locks, lane assist, climate controls, heated steering wheel, infotainment displays, radio controls, steering wheel controls, electronic shifter, and park assist. Systems turn on and off by themselves while driving. The vehicle's infotainment system displays error messages such as 'Box Error Disconnecting - Take Vehicle to an Authorized Dealer' and 'Uconnect Box requires service.' Dealers have reported so many error codes that they cannot clear them all. Some dealers attribute it to an electrical wiring harness defect and have ordered electrical wiring parts as a potential fix.
When: Intermittent throughout ownership; one owner reported the issue 1,000 miles beyond basic warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Power windows do not work intermittently; Door locks fail to respond or lock owners inside the vehicle; Lane assist turns on and off, jerking the steering wheel while driving; Park assist activates and deactivates while driving; Climate control and heated steering wheel activate and deactivate randomly; Radio and infotainment screen controls become unresponsive; Electronic shifter shifts into neutral by itself while driving; Push-button engine stop requires multiple attempts to shut off the vehicle; Tailgate stuck with 'liftgate open error' on display even when closed; Infotainment system error messages: 'Box Error Disconnecting' and 'Uconnect Box requires service'; All dashboard lights illuminate simultaneously and engine does not respond to accelerator
Codes mentioned: Box Error Disconnecting, Uconnect Box error
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers ordered electrical wiring harness parts as a potential fix. One owner reported a $700 repair cost was deemed 'normal corrosion wear' and not covered by extended warranty despite being reported as a known issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states they have 'seen this before' and ordered electrical wiring parts. No recall issued. Extended warranty will not cover the repair if deemed 'normal corrosion wear.'
Infotainment system software issues and crashes
The Uconnect infotainment system experiences software malfunctions, crashes, and display failures. Systems freeze, pixelate, shut down, and restart randomly. Software updates have been reported to disable the radio entirely. Error pop-ups block the screen, including the backup camera view, at random times. The system switches devices on and off independently; the system shuts down when the navigation, heat, AC, or defrost is engaged.
When: Can occur any time while driving; one owner reported the issue after a forced software update
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment system spontaneously crashes and reboots; Screen pixelates and shuts down randomly; Loud noise or boom emitted from the audio system while driving; Volume controls unresponsive during audio malfunction; Error pop-up 'Uconnect Box requires service' blocks the screen, including backup camera view; Radio stops working after software update; System switches on and off independently while driving; Navigation system causes infotainment system to shut down; Heat/AC switching causes system shutdown; Defrost mode causes system shutdown
Codes mentioned: Uconnect Box error, Box Error Disconnecting
Repairs/costs cited: Infotainment system has been replaced twice in at least one vehicle. Software updates have been applied by dealers; however, failures reoccur. One owner was quoted $700 for electrical wiring repair and was told to pay out of pocket for diagnostic and repair after a software update killed the radio.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised that using navigation during a trip causes the system to shut down; same explanation given for heat-to-AC switching. System software has been updated. No recall issued. Manufacturer declined to provide assistance in one fire incident case.
Unintended acceleration and engine revving
Engine revs excessively and uncontrollably while driving, causing the transmission to behave as if it is not being shifted properly. In one critical incident, the vehicle lurched forward with force twice while the owner was braking in heavy traffic, resulting in a collision with the vehicle in front. The problem occurs intermittently and can only be stopped by turning the engine off and restarting it. It generally does not recur for months.
When: Intermittent; engine revving started approximately 1 year into ownership in one case; unintended acceleration occurred after a year of engine revving problems
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs excessively and uncontrollably; Transmission behavior similar to a manual not being shifted properly; Vehicle lurches forward with force while braking; Braking does not stop forward motion; harder braking required; Problem only stops when engine is turned off and restarted; No warning lights present
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. The dealer has been unable to reproduce the problem despite multiple visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and has been unable to reproduce the problem.
Push-button start failure and engine cranking issues
The push-button start system fails to start the engine on the first attempt. The engine cranks for extended periods (up to 30 seconds) without turning over. Multiple start attempts are required before the vehicle starts. Cold weather conditions appear to exacerbate the problem.
When: Periodic; occurs especially in cold winter conditions below freezing
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks but does not turn over immediately; Cranking continues for 30 seconds without engine starting; All dashboard lights come on during cranking; Second start attempt usually results in engine starting; Problem is more severe in cold temperatures
Repairs/costs cited: One owner attempted switching to premium fuel without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Vehicle fire - electrical origin
Vehicle caught fire while parked and unattended. The fire extended to the owner's house. Fire department determined the source was electrical. This is a critical safety incident.
When: Approximately 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle spontaneously caught fire while parked; Fire spread to adjacent structure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but did not provide any assistance.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and transmission electrical faults
Electronic Stability Control light illuminates along with the shift selector, causing the vehicle to become immobile and unresponsive. Transmission light also illuminates. Multiple warning lights blink simultaneously.
When: Occurred while attempting to move from a stopped position at a red light
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic Stability Control light illuminates; Shift selector light illuminates; Vehicle does not move when accelerator is engaged; Transmission light comes on; Multiple dashboard lights blink simultaneously
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) false positives
Forward Collision Warning system triggers false alerts in the absence of any vehicle or obstacle in front. One owner speculates that these false positives may be connected to a loud audio system malfunction and suspected forward collision sensor involvement. Another owner reported FCW false positive at a location with a utility pole and curve in the road.
When: Intermittent; can occur multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Forward Collision Warning alert triggered with no vehicle or object present; Warning occurs in slight rain conditions; Alert may be related to nearby curves or utility poles; Loud audio boom from infotainment system may correlate with FCW false positive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite multiple similar complaints from owners.
Airbag system warning light and SOS system malfunction
Airbag warning light illuminates indicating the airbag system may not be working properly. The SOS emergency alert system opens on the infotainment screen with message 'Couldn't connect to SOS system - contact a dealer.' The SOS alert is distracting and causes safety concern while driving. Red warning light appears on the dashboard and rearview mirror.
When: Timing not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; SOS emergency alert pop-up appears on infotainment screen; Message states 'couldn't connect to SOS system'; Red warning light on dashboard and rearview mirror; System is distracting and can cause driver to lose focus on the road; Alert appeared while driving at speed, almost causing an accident
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer is instructed to check the vehicle; no specific fix documented.
Start/Stop feature malfunction and unwanted engine shutdown
The vehicle's auto start/stop feature malfunctions, causing the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly while stopped in traffic. System incorrectly reports 'Start/Stop feature unavailable due to hood open' even when the hood is closed. Vehicle requires shifting into park and restarting to resolve the issue.
When: Occurs during normal driving and stopping in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Start/Stop feature reports 'unavailable' while driving; Vehicle fails to shut off when stopped; False 'hood open' message displays despite hood being closed; Vehicle shuts off once stopped, requiring restart; Message reappears after restart
Door assembly and electrical wiring defects
Driver-side passenger door exhibits multiple manufacturing defects including a crimped rubber seal, paint defects around the window, misalignment with the vehicle body, and missing parts on the door panel at the latch. On the passenger-side front door, a black hose covering electrical wiring is pulled away from the vehicle, leaving exposed electrical wires. These defects suggest production line assembly issues.
When: Present at delivery; discovered upon initial vehicle washing and inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Crimped rubber seal along driver-side passenger door; Paint defect around window; Door misaligned and not lined properly with vehicle body; Missing piece on driver-side door panel at latch, exposing bolt; Black hose covering electrical wiring on passenger-side front door pulled away; Electrical wires hanging exposed from door assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer wants to attempt repair, but owner believes these are manufacturing defects that cannot be safely repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer offered to repair the defects rather than replace the vehicle.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Forward collision service warning came on me vehicle when there was nothing near my car and the weather was only slight rain. Why hasn’t this issue been a recall when I’ve read dozens of other complaints for this same issue.
This specific year and all models in 2021 Durango’s including SRT, GT, GT Plus , TnG , vehicle has a known issue with the driver side DRL ( Daytime Running Lights) completely going out and not working very early into its life . I believe this is a safety issue that the manufacturer should fix themselves as it’s a defect wiring / headlight issue that is affecting thousands of customers.…
Radio works for years it gets a update, it stops working, months of back and forth with software people say I’ll need to pay for a diagnostic to have them replace it, I paid got it on paper that a software update killed radio and software team told me to kick rocks. Pay out of pocket for an update I didn’t want killing my radio. Feels beyond illegal and I see others on forms with same exact…
My vehicle experienced failure of both the driver-side DRL (Daytime Running Light) and the passenger-side front turn signal within a short period of time. On this model year, both components are part of a sealed LED headlight assembly with no replaceable bulbs. The only repair option is full headlight assembly replacement, quoted at $800–$1,200 per side plus labor. This is a safety issue because…
My vehicle experienced failure of both the driver-side DRL (Daytime Running Light) and the passenger-side front turn signal within a short period of time. On this model year, both components are part of a sealed LED headlight assembly with no replaceable bulbs. The only repair option is full headlight assembly replacement, quoted at $800–$1,200 per side plus labor. This is a safety issue because…
Drive lights on driver side always stop working or work improperly, after looking into it I see its such a common complaint and always on drivers side, dodge refuses to look into it although it cant be a coincidence that its always on Durangos and always on the driver side exact same light. Theres was no warning lights on dash and fuses are good.
Headlight Assembly DLR failures
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 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 electrical problem on the 2021 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 39 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 18,512 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.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2021/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.