About this problem
Some cars have active head restraints that snap forward in a rear crash to reduce whiplash. They are held back by a spring and a latch. When the latch fails, the head restraint can fire forward on its own, often hitting the driver or passenger in the back of the head without any crash.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Dodge Durango since 2012, 454 (12.3%) describe headrest deploying on its own, the second most reported problem we track on the Durango. The reports cluster on the 2013, 2014 and 2015 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 193. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 59,000 and 104,000 miles. One report describes a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Dodge has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of 2013 to 2015 Durangos report the front active headrests popping forward on their own, sometimes hitting the occupant's head. The cause is a weak plastic latch inside the headrest.
How it gets fixed
The fix is replacing the headrest mechanism. Some owners got goodwill repairs.
Typical cost: A headrest costs about $200 to $400.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Within one week time frame, both front headrests suddenly and loudly snapped apart with a loud bang and propelled forward with great force. My husband was in the drivers seat when it happened on that side but luckily did not have his head resting on it."
2013 Dodge Durango, 120,000 miles
"On april 26, 2020 the active head restraint (ahr) on the passenger side of my vehicle unexpectedly deployed while in operation at normal conditions/speed limits (30-35 mph) on a residential street."
2015 Dodge Durango, 60,000 miles
"While stopped with the vehicle in park after just coming off of the interstate at a truck stop, the passenger side active headrest popped. No damage had occurred to the vehicle, no large bumps or curbs were hit. Luckily we were stopped and no injury occurred."
2014 Dodge Durango, 31,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Dodge has sent dealers 33 bulletins that mention this problem on the Durango. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X88 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed.
2nd row headrest 2024 WD 2nd row headrest BSR/rattles - Adjust headrest rods before replacing headrest or mechanism.
Buzz Squeak Rattle (BSR) From 2 nd Row Headrest Area While Driving.
Chirp Noise From Third Row Seat Headrest Chirp noise from third row seat headrest.
2020 WD SRT F19 Fuse - Correct Part Number If replacing the PDC due to a failed F19 fuse - 20A Max Fuse (Headrest Solenoid), or if looking to replace the F19 fuse, please use MOPAR part number: 68202896AA.
D-20-10 (X88) Active Head Restraint - Select 2014/ 2015/ 2016/ 2017/ 2018 Dodge Durango (WD) and Select 2014-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) (Rev.
Government investigations
Preliminary evaluation PE19014 · 2012–2020 · opened Sep 2019, closed Feb 2026
Before you buy a Durango
- Check both front headrests are in place and not pushed forward.
- Ask whether they have been replaced.
Questions
Which Dodge Durango years have headrest deploying on its own?
Complaints are highest for the 2013, 2014, 2015 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 193 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 75,000 miles, and half reported it between 59,000 and 104,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A headrest costs about $200 to $400.