Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, exterior lights, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Dodge Durango: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Dodge Durango. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, RWD | 21 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | AWD, RWD | 17 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | AWD | 13 mpg |
| 6.4L 8-cyl | AWD | 15 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Shifter and transmission service warnings
32,000–55,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Dodge Durango, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Shifting fails without warning. A "Service Shifter" or "Service Transmission" message appears, and the SUV won't go into gear or reverse. Several reports describe sudden loss of drive power, once at 60 MPH, which is a real crash risk in traffic. Dealers often find no active codes and send the car back unrepaired, even when owners show video. Some cars also lose wipers, turn signals and braking systems at low speed. Police fleet reports point to oil filter housings that fail and mix oil with coolant, leaving the engine unusable.
The driver-side daytime running light goes dark, often within 3 years. Dealers say the only fix is replacing the entire headlight assembly, an expensive repair, and owners report that extended warranties refuse to cover it. Rear tail lights collect water, and one dealer proposed drilling a weep hole as the fix. LED turn signal strips also malfunction. One report describes children cut by a sharp, protruding edge of the tail light while reaching into the cargo area, with 1 injury recorded.
Power can cut out completely while driving. In one case the SUV stopped abruptly at 25-30 MPH, would not restart, and left the doors locked. The dealer traced it to loose C10 power wiring through the PDC and called it a manufacturing defect. Other reports describe repeated Uconnect box failures, constant chiming with no error message, intermittent no-start problems with module communication codes, and early fuel pump failure. Daytime running light failures turn up here too, at 40,000 miles in one case.
The brakes lose most or all of their stopping power. In one report the pedal went straight to the floor at a red light and the Durango rear-ended a stopped vehicle. A state trooper then confirmed the pedal still sank to the floor. A second report blames a failed brake vacuum boost pump, which left very little stopping power while driving. With only 2 complaints this is a small sample, but both describe sudden failure while moving, and one ended in a crash.
Excerpts from complaints Durango owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Screen/display has blacked out. Take it to the dealer appeared on the screen. Transmission shifter indicator stopped working. The dealer is charging me $1,900 to repair both.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
A sudden loss of drive power. When the car start to drive the engine show a loss of power in a stop light, stop sign or during the day when I press the gasoline pedal.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
Drivers DRL failed within 3 yrs. This is LED and supposed to last 10-15 yrs. Extended bumper to bumper warranty won’t cover. It’s nearly 2k to fix. Risk is less visibility during daytime to other drivers. Is this led bulb, electrical, fuse, ballast? No one seems to know. 2 dealerships say have to replace entire headlight system for nearly 2k!!!
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
My left rear tail light has a water intrusion issue. From calling the dealership they stated their likely solution would be to drill a weep hole in it (HA!). Reading online this is a massive issue, a recall needs to be issued on these vehicles as it is a known defect with safety a cost impacts.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
Fuel pump stopped working prematurely and had to be replaced prior to 57k miles. Satelite/Antenna/Module failure. Headlight DRL have failed prematurely. Taillights burned out due to constant water buildup. Yes vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
Complete brake failure when stopping for a red light. This caused the vehicle to rear end a Jeep stopped at the light. Brake pedal went completely to the floor. This was verified by the investigating State Trooper, who started the Durango and checked the brakes, they went all the way to the floor as indicated in his report.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks sixth for owner complaints among 8 Durango years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the 13th model year of the Durango's third generation (2011–2023).
It includes the 2021 update.
What changed for 2021
Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles equipped with an instrument panel mounted shifter. The shifter may experience an interference with the shifter boot and come out of gear while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 94A.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
Risk: A damaged rear spoiler can detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 20A. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V-842.
Cars shoppers compare with the Dodge Durango, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
