The 2017 Dodge Durango carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering wiring and axle shaft. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Racetrack taillight water intrusion.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Campaign #18V332000 · May 17, 2018
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Campaign #17V541000 · Aug 31, 2017
Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Durango vehicles. The vehicles may have been assembled with rear axle halfshafts that are too short.
Risk: If a halfshaft is too short, it may disengage from the differential causing a loss of drive and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Dodge Durango.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
68 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2026-03
“Rear liftgate taillight assembly seal has failed allowing water to get in. As a result, the led lighting element has failed which dramatically reduces rear visibility by other vehicles.”
“The rear tailgate lights, which operate in conjunction with the tail lights, fills up with water over time. The water then shorts out the LED lights.”
POWER TRAIN
8 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2025-10
“While driving, the transmission gave out. There was no prior indication of any issue - no warning light and no different noise. The car wouldn't change gears, which was an extremely dangerous situation in traffic…”
“Transmission has parts that wear out fast causing transmission to completely go out.”
ENGINE
11 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2026-05
“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…”
“The manufactured plastic oil housing unit cracked during negative temperatures on [XXX] in Webb City MO. I had a pool of oil under my car, and now my engine shakes during low idle…”
SEATS
12 NHTSA complaints · 2020-09 → 2025-11
“The driver’s side headrest deployed while I was driving. There was no warning and no impact. The headrest pushed my head forward, slamming into the back of it. This could have been a disaster, gigantic safety risk.”
“While driving, the Active Headrest Restraint deployed on the passenger side WITHOUT accident. It appears the plastic piece that holds the pin broke. Luckily there wasn't a passenger present but this could've done serious head injury…”
POWER TRAIN
10 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2023-05
“Shifter knob moves freely without having foot on brake so the shifter doesn’t lock into a gear. Message appears on dash “Service Shifter”.”
“ON JANUARY 6, 2020, I PLACED MY 2017 DODGE DURANGO INTO PARK IN MY HOME'S DRIVEWAY AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, LEAVING THE EMPTY VEHICLE IDLING. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE AND ROLLED AWAY, FORWARD, INTO MY GARAGE…”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
17 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2026-02
“THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR ARE GOING OFF AND ON BY THEMSELVES, THE PASSENGER WINDOW GOES DOWN WITHOUT THE WINDOW BEING TOUCHED. AND THE CAR WILL TURN OFF WHEN IDLING IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF IS NOT ON OR OFF.”
“Push start vehicle stalls 3 to 5 times. While driving the dash board flickers on and off. Navigation system screen blacks out radio turns on when I have it off. Reverse camera also glitches and works sometimes. The inside lights dim up and down…”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2024-08
“THE CAPLESS (NO GAS CAP) FUEL SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS SOME SORT OF CHECK VALVE THAT IS FAILING AND CAUSES THE FUEL PUMP TO SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING ON EMPTY…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL, THE FUEL WOULD NOT PROPERLY ENTER THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSED THE FUEL NOZZLE TO CONTINUOUSLY STOP…”
STEERING
6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2024-07
“The electrical power steering failed making it nearly impossible to steer.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTRA STRENGTH TO STEER THE VEHICLE…”
Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
15 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
9
complaints mentioning a crash
2
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Dodge Durango reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.