2017 Dodge Durango Problems: Lights (211 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2017 Dodge Durango is Lights (36% of 211 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Lights — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 211 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2017 Dodge Durango?

75 of 211 filings named Lights (36% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (22 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2016 has 159 reports on file; this year has 211. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2017 Dodge Durango

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
Lights. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working.
Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
Skim a few owner reports below for Lights. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Lights 75 complaints · 35.6% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 9
Fires 2
Injuries 10
Deaths 0

All Dodge Durango years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)	75	35.6%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	22	10.4%	1 crashes · 1 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	17	8.1%	0 crashes · 1 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)	17	8.1%	1 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	13	6.2%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	8	3.8%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)	7	3.3%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS)	5	2.4%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE)	5	2.4%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	40	19.0%	4 crashes · 0 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

Campaign 17V541000 was reported 252 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
Campaign 18V332000 was reported 52 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2016-Q4	Owner reports	1
2017-Q1	Owner reports	4
2017-Q2	Owner reports	3
2017-Q3	Owner reports	5
2017-Q4	Owner reports	3
2018-Q1	Owner reports	4
2018-Q2	Owner reports	3
2018-Q3	Owner reports	5
2018-Q4	Owner reports	4
2019-Q1	Owner reports	3
2019-Q2	Owner reports	8
2019-Q3	Owner reports	7
2019-Q4	Owner reports	7
2020-Q1	Owner reports	15
2020-Q2	Owner reports	4
2020-Q3	Owner reports	7
2020-Q4	Owner reports	6
2021-Q1	Owner reports	11
2021-Q2	Owner reports	6
2021-Q3	Owner reports	6
2021-Q4	Owner reports	1
2022-Q1	Owner reports	7
2022-Q2	Owner reports	3
2022-Q3	Owner reports	6
2022-Q4	Owner reports	6
2023-Q1	Owner reports	8
2023-Q2	Owner reports	10
2023-Q3	Owner reports	3
2023-Q4	Owner reports	2
2024-Q1	Owner reports	8
2024-Q2	Owner reports	6
2024-Q3	Owner reports	6
2024-Q4	Owner reports	4
2025-Q1	Owner reports	5
2025-Q2	Owner reports	4
2025-Q3	Owner reports	2
2025-Q4	Owner reports	6
2026-Q1	Owner reports	6
2026-Q2	Owner reports	5
2026-Q3	Owner reports	1
Aug 2017	Recall campaign	1	17V541000
May 2018	Recall campaign	1	18V332000
Dec 2016	Defect investigation	1	PE16014
Sep 2019	Defect investigation	1	PE19014

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline and Electrical.

Recall campaign 17V541000

Transmission / driveline

Report date

Aug 31, 2017

Component:

Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)

Consequence:

If a halfshaft is too short, it may disengage from the differential causing a loss of drive and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace both halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T55.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 18V332000

Electrical

Report date

May 17, 2018

Component:

Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)

Consequence:

If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 6 of 211 complaints · page 1 of 9

2026-09-02Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11761516

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Customer Satisfaction Notification T23 (TSB 18-031-17). Under this T23 a PCM software flash and a replacement EGR valve assembly were required. My dealer only did the software flash and my car now threw out an active PO401 (EGR Flow Insufficient Detected"). Which is a direct result of the failed software update and the physical damage caused by this known issue. Dealer is refusing the repair along with the manufacturer.

2026-05-25Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11739965

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Vehicle overheats while at a stop. Problem has been happening for past 8 months. Leaking antifreeze under transmission. Shop unable to diagnose problem after various attempts. Researched problem online and discovered many 2017 durango owners are having issue. Many saying it's due to manufacture problem. It's a safety issue for my family and I since I don't know what the problem is to fix it.

2026-05-08Unclassified NHTSA leftover

NHTSA ODI 11736461

CrashFireInjuryDeath

While driving the ABS light came on causing the abs lock to turn off increasing instability to cars performance.

2026-05-08Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)

NHTSA ODI 11736460

CrashFireInjuryDeath

Runaway vehicle, police was called after car stopped and I was able to safely park it on the side of the freeway.also a police officer on motorcycle came the the scene to make sure I was able to get a towing scheduled. Dealership currently confirmed gas pedal accelerator needing to be replaced.

2026-04-29Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11734696

CrashFireInjuryDeath

The vehicle involved is a 2017 Dodge Durango. The primary systems malfunctioning include the engine cooling system, braking system, and electrical system. The engine repeatedly overheats while driving and has produced smoke from under the hood, creating a risk of breakdown or fire. The braking system is unreliable, with the brake pedal going down too far and not providing proper stopping power, increasing the risk of a crash. The electrical system malfunctions unpredictably, including windshield wipers and interior controls turning on and off without input. These issues have occurred multiple times and have left the vehicle stranded on the side of the road, including at night. This has placed the driver and passengers at risk in unsafe conditions and traffic environments. The problems began shortly after purchase and have been ongoing. The issues have not been properly resolved. A mechanic was supposed to inspect the vehicle, but it is UNKNOWN if a full inspection was completed. Warning signs included overheating temperature readings, smoke, weak braking response, and electrical irregularities prior to failure. The vehicle is currently not reliable or safe to operate due to these ongoing safety defects.

2026-04-06Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11729495

CrashFireInjuryDeath

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety‑related failure involving the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) in my 2017 Dodge Durango. Although my vehicle is not included in the 2011–2013 recall window for Safety Notice R0 / NHTSA 14V‑115, it experienced the same dangerous malfunction described in that recall. The TIPM failed without warning and caused a catastrophic failure of the fuel pump. As a result, the vehicle would crank but would not start, leaving my wife stranded and requiring a tow to an automotive repair facility. The repair shop confirmed that the TIPM malfunction caused the fuel pump to fail internally and come apart inside the fuel tank. The TIPM installed in the vehicle is part number P68251629AC A, vendor code 16238DA, with an additional number of 16317G. The TIPM was not inspected anyone other than the repair facility and there were no warning lights or codes prior the failure. The quoted cost for parts and labor to correct this safety‑related defect is $2,100. FCA has refused to cover the repair because my vehicle falls outside the recall years, despite the failure matching the symptoms and safety risks identified in NHTSA Campaign 14V‑115. Given the severity of the failure, the safety risk posed to my family, and the clear similarity to the known TIPM defect, I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in reviewing this incident, determining whether the recall should be expanded to include additional model years, and supporting my request for FCA to cover the full cost of repairs or reimburse me for the necessary corrective work. This failure created a hazardous situation and resulted in significant financial burden for a defect consistent with an already‑recognized safety issue. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter and take appropriate action.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Dodge Durango?

Owners named Lights most often — 75 of 211 reports (36%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2017 Dodge Durango?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2017 Dodge Durango?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources