2021 Dodge Durango Body Panel Recall (21V842)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 4,837 vehicles · Reported October 28, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 4,837 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use. A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V842 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V842000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Y73 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 28, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Dodge Durango |
| Units affected | 4,837 |
| Component | Structure > Body |
| Safety risk | A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Dodge Durango in recall 21V842?
The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Durango with recall 21V842?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A damaged rear spoiler could detach and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the body.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V842?
Recall 21V842 covers 4,837 vehicles: 2021 Dodge Durango.
NHTSA lists 4,837 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Dodge | Durango |
What is the fix for the Durango body panel recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear spoiler, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y73.
When was recall 21V842 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 21V842 to NHTSA on October 28, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 21, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 28, 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V842000. |
| December 21, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 59 months ago. If your Durango was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Durango is part of recall 21V842?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V842 is open on your Durango, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V842000 is open on your Durango, it will be listed there, along with Dodge recall number Y73. You can also ask any Dodge dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Durango owners do about recall 21V842?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V842000 applies to your Durango.
- Call a Dodge dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any body symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Durango owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 5 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Since recall 21V842 was reported on October 28, 2021, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the body, doors and seats on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the body, doors and seats and were received on or after October 28, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related body, doors and seats issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 202 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 5 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Dodge Durango: 202 complaints in total, 5 about the body, doors and seats
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear roof spoiler detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to retrieve the spoiler from the side of the highway. The cause of the failure was not determined.
2021 Dodge Durango owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11438461, filed October 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound detected. The contact became aware that the spoiler had partially detached and was dangling from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.
2021 Dodge Durango owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11472342, filed July 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while opening the rear hatch, he noticed a bolt inside the hatch from the rear spoiler. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear spoiler to be replaced.
2021 Dodge Durango owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11485804, filed September 22, 2022
Can recall 21V842 make my Durango a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V842000 does not automatically make your Durango a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Dodge Durango has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Durango been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Dodge Durango recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V842
Did the recall 21V842 fix work?
Since recall 21V842 was reported on October 28, 2021, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the body, doors and seats on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 21, 2021.
Is the 21V842000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Durango is part of recall 21V842000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V842000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Dodge. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.