About this problem
Tail light failures are usually caused by circuit boards inside LED lamps, poor connectors or water getting into the housing. When tail lights and brake lights stop working, the car behind cannot see you braking, which is why these faults can lead to recalls. Owners often see a warning on the dash or are told by another driver.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Dodge Durango since 2012, 538 (14.5%) describe tail lights failing, making it the most reported problem we track on the Durango. The reports cluster on the 2014, 2015 and 2017 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 190. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. 4 reports describe 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
Durango owners report the full-width racetrack tail lights failing, flickering or filling with water. The 2014, 2015 and 2017 models drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
The fix is a new tail light assembly or circuit board.
Typical cost: A tail light assembly costs about $300 to $800.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"The rear hatch taillight/brake light assembly, also known as the "race track" light, collects water somehow inside of the assembly."
2014 Dodge Durango, 70,000 miles
"For a few months now, the bottom right hand section of the led 'racetrack' tail lights on the trunk of my Durango has been burned out. Apparently, this is coming from water filling up in the leds due to weather stripping to keep water out failing too early."
2015 Dodge Durango, 80,000 miles
"My center tail light known as the race track light had gotten moisture in it and some of the led lights went out. I was in the process of trying to find a solution as to why this happened as my vehicle is not even 4 years old yet."
2017 Dodge Durango, 83,000 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 2 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.
Liftgate Tail Lamp Assembly Not Illuminating Or Partially Illuminating XE2 Warranty Extension Customers may comment on the following: SYMPTOM: The center liftgate "racetrack" tail lamp assembly LED does not Illuminate, or parti...
Liftgate Inner Metal Split The customer may experience the following: Liftgate inner metal is split open on the right hand side under the taillight.
Before you buy a Durango
- Check every segment of the tail lights with lights and brakes on.
- Look inside the lenses for water.
Questions
Which Dodge Durango years have tail lights failing?
Complaints are highest for the 2014, 2015, 2017 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 190 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 51,000 miles, and half reported it between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A tail light assembly costs about $300 to $800.