YearToAvoid

2021 Dodge Durango Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 Engine complaints for the 2021 Dodge Durango, 13% of its 202 total complaints for the year, at a median 38,000 miles. A related recall (22V284000) covers EGR valve issues on the 3.6L engine.

Engine complaints
26
13% of 202
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
38,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine cranks continuously but fails to start, sometimes occurring from day one of ownership.
  • Some vehicles fail to start after sitting, clicking repeatedly before stalling out entirely on later attempts.
  • Owners describe periodic no-start conditions, especially in cold weather, that persist even after switching fuel types.
  • One vehicle caught fire while parked and unattended, with the source traced to an electrical issue.
  • Owners report coolant leaking from the engine compartment with smoke visible behind the vehicle while driving.
  • A frequency module replacement was performed for a no-start failure, but the problem recurred afterward.

When 2021 Dodge Durango engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 15, 2021, latest Sep 23, 2026.

2021 Dodge Durango engine complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2021Feb 2023May 2024Sep 2024Feb 2025Dec 2025Aug 2026
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2025 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Dodge Durango

  1. NHTSA 22V284000Apr 28, 2022Engine1,308 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

    Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.

Engine complaints by Durango model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2011197 (25%)
  2. 2012164 (26%)
  3. 2013133 (21%)
  4. 201482 (10%)
  5. 201557 (11%)
  6. 201625 (16%)
  7. 201736 (17%)
  8. 201834 (15%)
  9. 201931 (22%)
  10. 202010 (18%)
  11. 202126 (13%)
  12. 202210 (18%)
  13. 20236 (20%)
  14. 20244 (29%)
  15. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Dodge Durango have?
NHTSA lists 26 Engine complaints for the 2021 Dodge Durango, which is 13% of all 202 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2021 Dodge Durango?
Yes. Recall 22V284000 covers the EGR valve assembly on 3.6L engines in the 2021 Dodge Durango; dealers replace the EGR valve assembly free of charge.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 38,000 miles at the time of failure for engine-related complaints on the 2021 Durango.
Did any engine complaints involve fires or crashes?
Yes, NHTSA records show 1 fire and 1 crash among the complaints filed in the Engine area for the 2021 Durango.
How does 2021 compare to other Durango years for engine complaints?
The 2021 Durango's 26 engine complaints and 13% share are lower than earlier years like 2011 (25% share) and 2012 (26% share), based on NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.