Lemon Law Analysis

2023 Dodge Durango

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated August 2026
28
NHTSA Complaints
1
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.

As of August 2026, the NHTSA has logged 28 complaints against the 2023 Dodge Durango. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2023 Dodge Durango complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2023 Dodge Durango has generated 68 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2023 Dodge Durango has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Dodge pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.

Exterior Lighting

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

The 2023 Dodge Durango has generated 16 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “This is a fairly new SUV and front turn signals are out. This puts me in danger of having to turn and other drivers not aware. It is not a simple bulb fix. All have to be removed. This was confirmed by a couple of independent mechanics. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer. No warning lamps or messages prior to issue.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721617)

Other Systems

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

The 2023 Dodge Durango has generated 6 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “When vehicle was purchased new in 2023 I noticed the corners of the windshield was delaminating forming bubbles in both corners of the glass as well as along the top I brought the car back several times and it was never fixed ,reached out to Stellantis and was told glass is not covered under warranty even though the vehicle has only 8000 miles on it now .” (NHTSA Complaint #11717310)

Brakes

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2023 Dodge Durango has generated 6 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “Complete brake failure when stopping for a red light. This caused the vehicle to rear end a Jeep stopped at the light. Brake pedal went completely to the floor. This was verified by the investigating State Trooper, who started the Durango and checked the brakes, they went all the way to the floor as indicated in his report.” (NHTSA Complaint #11655592)

Electrical System

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Dodge Durango include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 4 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Uconnect box requires service. Dinging inside car constantly and no error message when this occurs.” (NHTSA Complaint #11697373)

Power Train,Engine

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 Dodge Durango have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond with the message “Service Shifter” displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted the gear shifter between neutral and reverse until the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11682270)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Dodge Durango

The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2023 Dodge Durango by the NHTSA or Dodge. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

Recall 23V640000

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 94A.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Dodge Durango:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Dodge to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Dodge must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Dodge Durango qualifies as a lemon under California law, Dodge may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Dodge pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Dodge willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Dodge Durango Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Dodge a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Dodge dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Dodge pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Dodge a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Dodge Durango Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Dodge Durango as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Dodge pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Dodge is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Dodge Durango?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Think Your 2023 Durango Qualifies?

Get a free case evaluation. Dodge pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.

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