Dodge Durango (2014–2026): 8+ safety recalls covering cruise control, ABS, steering, and engine defects. Learn your California lemon law rights.
The Dodge Durango is one of the best-selling three-row SUVs in America — spacious, capable, and popular with families who need real towing capacity. It's also one of the most frequently recalled vehicles in its class. Since the 2014 model year, Dodge has issued safety recalls covering everything from cruise control that won't turn off, to ABS systems that falsely activate the brakes or allow the car to roll away in Park, to a steering rack that can suddenly bind and take the wheel from you. Add in two separate engine defects — a cylinder head flaw in early Pentastar V6 models and a hydraulic lash adjuster failure pattern that dealers were fixing five to ten times a week at peak — and you have a vehicle with a documented reliability story that spans its entire production run. If your Durango has been back to the dealer repeatedly, or has been off the road while parts were backordered, California's lemon law may require Dodge to buy the vehicle back.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Cruise control will not turn off when driver presses the brake pedal or manually cancels; vehicle maintains speed or accelerates uncontrollably; no prior warning
Brake warning lights illuminate without driver input; vehicle can be started and shifted out of Park without pressing brake pedal; ABS and stability control inoperative; MIL illuminated
Radio/infotainment system exploitable via cellular network; demonstrated remote manipulation of steering, brakes, and transmission by security researchers; no dashboard warning
Engine misfire on cylinders 2, 4, or 6; check engine light on; rough idle; loss of power; oil or coolant consumption in some cases
Persistent ticking or tapping noise from engine at startup and during operation; noise may resolve at operating temperature or persist; in severe cases cam lobe wear and metal debris; misfire; hesitation to accelerate
Steering effort increases suddenly; steering wheel binds or becomes hard to turn; potential loss of directional control; may occur without warning
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Cruise control will not turn off when driver presses the brake pedal or manually cancels; vehicle maintains speed or accelerates uncontrollably; no prior warning
Safety recall affecting all 2014–2018 Durango powertrain configurations. If vehicle required multiple dealer visits before remedy was available or owner experienced uncontrolled acceleration, strong lemon-law nexus under CIV 1793.2.
PCM software reflash via wiTECH scan tool; remedy unavailable for 2014–2016 at initial launch (phased rollout)
Brake warning lights illuminate without driver input; vehicle can be started and shifted out of Park without pressing brake pedal; ABS and stability control inoperative; MIL illuminated
Two successive recalls for the same HCU/ABS defect (22V426 then 24V838) across 2018–2019 Durango. Owners whose vehicles remained unsafe after Phase 1 remedy and who required return visits have strong nonconformity pattern under California lemon law.
Phase 1 (22V426): ABS software update. Phase 2 (24V838): replace pressure transducer + updated ABS software
Radio/infotainment system exploitable via cellular network; demonstrated remote manipulation of steering, brakes, and transmission by security researchers; no dashboard warning
First major automotive cybersecurity recall. Vehicles driven before the USB update was applied were legally noncompliant safety-risk vehicles. Any owner who experienced dealer delays in applying the remedy may have a conformity argument.
Software update delivered via USB drive mailed to owners; FCA also applied network-level security measures at carrier level
Engine misfire on cylinders 2, 4, or 6; check engine light on; rough idle; loss of power; oil or coolant consumption in some cases
FCA acknowledged the defect with an extended warranty but did not issue a safety recall. Owners who paid out-of-pocket for cylinder head replacement before the warranty extension was published, or who experienced multiple misfires within the coverage period, may qualify.
Cylinder leakage test; replace left cylinder head assembly. FCA extended warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles (warranty bulletin D-14-22 per TSB 09-002-14)
Persistent ticking or tapping noise from engine at startup and during operation; noise may resolve at operating temperature or persist; in severe cases cam lobe wear and metal debris; misfire; hesitation to accelerate
Dealers reported handling 5–10 Pentastar rocker/HLA repairs per week. If multiple visits were required, or if the owner experienced ongoing ticking and power loss within the warranty period that the dealer could not permanently resolve, lemon-law criteria may be met.
TSB 09-009-23 (superseded by 09-015-24): inspect and replace all 12 intake HLAs; if cam damage present replace camshaft and all rockers. Repair cost $1,500–$3,500+ out-of-pocket if not covered
Steering effort increases suddenly; steering wheel binds or becomes hard to turn; potential loss of directional control; may occur without warning
Steering loss is a critical safety nonconformity. If owner experienced binding or difficult steering prior to recall remedy, multiple repair attempts, or extended parts unavailability, strong lemon-law footing.
Replace steering gear assembly; ~8 hours labor. Remedy available May 12, 2022; stop sale issued Mar 22, 2022
Front seat head restraint suddenly deploys and strikes occupant in the back of the head without any collision or impact; head restraint cannot be reset after deployment; neck pain, whiplash reported
Spontaneous deployment injuring an occupant without a crash event is a serious safety nonconformity. Owners who suffered injury or who had AHR replaced multiple times should be evaluated for lemon-law and personal-injury claims.
TSB 23-018-20 Rev. D: inspect striker pin; replace front seat AHR assembly if deployed. FCA issued warranty extension bulletin covering inadvertent deployment repairs
Engine unexpectedly loses power and stalls while driving; accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive; vehicle may slow abruptly or stop in traffic; MIL may illuminate
Sudden power loss at road speed is a direct safety hazard. Although only 583 units affected, any owner in this production window who experienced stalling qualifies for lemon-law evaluation if dealer visits were required.
Replace EGR valve assembly; dealer performs repair free of charge
open
ABS module falsely reads brake circuit pressure; disables ABS and ESC; allows vehicle to start and shift from Park without brake pedal; false brake light illumination up to 4.5 mph
closed
Radio software may prevent rearview camera image from displaying on media screen when vehicle is in Reverse, violating FMVSS 111
closed
ABS control module software malfunction disables Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and may prevent the ESC malfunction indicator from illuminating
superseded
HCU/ABS module falsely reads pressure in primary brake circuit; may illuminate brake lights without driver input and allow vehicle to start and shift out of Park without brake application
closed
EGR valve may stick in the open position, causing unexpected loss of motive power while driving
closed
Steering gear rack bar manufactured with hardness below specification; may bend or deform under load, causing steering to bind
closed
Short circuit in wiring may prevent cruise control from disengaging via brake pedal or manual cancel, causing vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate
closed
Uconnect 8.4A/8.4AN radio software has security vulnerabilities allowing unauthorized third-party remote access to networked vehicle control systems
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — the lemon law — covers new vehicles sold or leased in California with a manufacturer's warranty. If Dodge has had a reasonable number of attempts to fix a substantial defect and has not resolved it, you may be entitled to a buyback or a free replacement. The law also applies when your vehicle has been out of service for a total of 30 or more calendar days for warranty repairs — even if each individual issue was 'fixed.' Safety defects like uncontrolled acceleration (cruise control recall), loss of braking control (ABS recall), or a steering rack that suddenly binds receive heightened consideration because they substantially impair the vehicle's safe use. Extended-warranty bulletin coverage — such as the 10-year/150,000-mile engine warranty for the cylinder head defect — does not limit your lemon law rights if the defect remained unresolved during the standard warranty period. This is general information only and is not legal advice.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
Durango problems range from intermittent electrical faults (ABS warning, ESC light) to mechanical symptoms (engine tick) that can quiet down by the time the car reaches the dealer's service bay. Here is how to document your case effectively: (1) Write down the exact symptom, date, mileage, and conditions every time it occurs — even if you don't go straight to the dealer. For cruise control issues, note whether pressing the brake fully disengaged it or not. For ABS/ESC lights, note whether the lights came on without braking. (2) Photograph any warning lights before you restart the vehicle. If the brake lights are activating on their own, ask a second person to watch the rear of the car while you sit inside without touching the pedal, and record video. (3) For engine tick: ask the dealer to perform a cold-start inspection first thing in the morning before the engine has warmed up — the tick is loudest at cold start. Request the dealer check and document whether TSB 09-009-23 / 09-015-24 (HLA replacement) or TSB 09-002-14 Rev. B (left cylinder head) applies to your VIN. (4) For cruise control: confirm in writing that PCM software update (recall 18V-332) has been applied, and note whether cruise control behavior improved afterward. (5) Keep every repair order — including visits where the dealer said 'could not duplicate.' Under California law those visits count toward the total number of repair attempts for the same defect.
The Durango's recall record is not the story of one bad batch — it spans more than a decade of production and every major vehicle system: powertrain, brakes, steering, infotainment, and engine internals. Some of these issues, particularly the two-phase ABS recall that is still not fully remedied for all 2018–2019 owners, reflect a pattern of Dodge acknowledging a problem, issuing a partial fix, and then issuing a second recall years later. Families who bought a Durango expecting a reliable three-row hauler and instead found themselves at the dealer repeatedly — or worse, experienced cruise control that wouldn't disengage or a steering wheel that fought them mid-turn — deserve to understand their legal options. California's lemon law exists precisely for situations where the manufacturer's warranty repair process has failed the owner.
— The Margarian Law team
If your Dodge Durango has been back to the dealer multiple times for any of the issues described above — or if it has been out of service for 30 days or more total — you may qualify for a lemon law buyback or replacement under California law. Contact Margarian Law for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our firm handles California lemon law cases on contingency — no fees unless you win.
The Dodge Durango (2014–2026) has been subject to eight notable federal safety recalls. Key campaigns include: (1) 18V-332 — cruise control cannot be cancelled; covers 2014–2018 Durango; NHTSA issued a do-not-use advisory. (2) 22V-426 / 24V-838 — ABS module falsely activates brake lights, disables stability control, and allows the vehicle to roll from Park without brake application; covers 2018–2019 Durango; the 24V-838 remedy is still pending for some owners. (3) 22V-154 — steering rack bar insufficiently hardened; covers 2021–2022 Durango; full steering gear replacement required. (4) 24V-436 — rearview camera won't display; covers 2021–2022 Durango. (5) 24V-415 — ABS software disables ESC on 2022 Durango. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm which recalls apply to your vehicle.
If your Durango's cruise control keeps running even when you press the brake pedal, your vehicle may be affected by NHTSA recall 18V-332 (FCA recall U65). A short circuit in the wiring can prevent the powertrain control module (PCM) from receiving the brake-cancel signal, causing the throttle to stay locked at the cruise speed — or in the worst cases, the vehicle can accelerate further. This recall covers 2014–2018 Durango across all engine configurations. At recall launch, NHTSA publicly advised owners to stop using cruise control entirely until the PCM software update was applied. If your vehicle has already had this recall completed and cruise control still behaves abnormally, document every incident and return to the dealer — a recurring problem after a recall repair can support a lemon law claim.
False brake light activation on 2018–2019 Durango models is a known defect covered by NHTSA recall 22V-426 (later superseded by recall 24V-838). The hydraulic control unit (HCU) / ABS module can falsely read pressure in the primary brake circuit, causing the brake lights to illuminate without driver input. The same defect also disables ABS and electronic stability control and — most dangerously — can allow the vehicle to be started and shifted out of Park without pressing the brake pedal, creating a rollaway risk. If you own a 2018 or 2019 Durango and experience these symptoms, check your VIN at NHTSA.gov. Note: the Phase 2 remedy for recall 24V-838 (hardware replacement) was still being finalized as of late 2024 — some owners may still be waiting for a complete fix.
Persistent engine ticking in a Dodge Durango with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 — especially loud at cold start — is most commonly caused by worn hydraulic lash adjusters (HLAs) in the intake valve train. This affects 2016–2024 Durango and is the subject of TSB 09-009-23 (superseded by TSB 09-015-24). In early-stage cases the tick may fade once the engine warms up; in progressed cases the roller on the rocker arm can seize, grinding the camshaft lobe flat and generating metal debris in the oil. That level of damage typically requires camshaft replacement in addition to all 12 intake HLAs — a repair that can exceed $3,000 out-of-pocket. If your dealer has performed an HLA replacement and the tick returned, or if the tick is accompanied by rough running or a check engine light, document the visits carefully. Recurring engine noise that the dealer cannot permanently resolve within the warranty period may support a lemon law claim.
Yes. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act applies to any new Durango sold or leased in California with a manufacturer's warranty still in effect at the time the defect arose. The law requires Dodge to either repair a substantial defect within a reasonable number of attempts or buy the vehicle back (or replace it). Safety defects — such as cruise control that won't disengage, ABS/ESC failure, or a steering rack that binds — are given heightened weight because they substantially impair the vehicle's use and safety. The 30-day-out-of-service rule also applies: if your Durango has been at the dealership for warranty repairs for a combined 30 or more calendar days, you may qualify regardless of whether any single repair was successful. This is general information and not legal advice; contact a California lemon law attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
Yes. If you own a 2021 or 2022 Dodge Durango and the steering became unexpectedly heavy or seized mid-turn, your vehicle may be affected by NHTSA recall 22V-154 (FCA recall Z18). The steering gear rack bar was manufactured with hardness below specification, which can allow the rack to deform under load and bind, potentially causing a sudden loss of directional control. The recall issued a stop-sale on March 22, 2022 and the remedy — a full steering gear assembly replacement requiring approximately 8 hours of labor — was made available May 12, 2022. If you experienced steering binding before that remedy was available, or if your steering has still not been repaired, confirm your VIN at NHTSA.gov and contact your dealer immediately. Repeated steering complaints or extended delays in receiving the recall remedy may also support a lemon law inquiry.
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