2015 Dodge Durango: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Electrical · WV

First we smelled a light burning smell from the vehicle while driving then the blower motor blew a fuse. The fuse was replaced immediately and we started the vehicle to try to get back home. We then got a dash alert on the vehicle saying that the rear passenger side tail lamp and turn signal was out and at that point our headlights went out while we were driving in the dark trying to get home. We almost crashed. Finally we found a place to pull off the road and at this point I checked the volt meter on the vehicle and it was rapidly surging and twitching up and back down to 14. Kind of flickering. We shut the vehicle off because we could smell something hot. I looked under the hood and the main braided ground wire that attaches the motor to the car body was completely gone. Burned to a powder like a blown light bulb filament and the fuse box under the hood was too hot to touch. It could have easily caught fire on us while driving or could have easily killed up when the lights went out. We called for someone to come pick us up and had to abandon the vehicle at this point. Today we contacted a mechanic and tow truck to come pick our vehicle up. I think this vehicle is having the same safety issue with the alternator that the previous models were having and I feel that it should be covered and fixed by the manufacturer. I will continue contacting over this matter until I get results. This put our lives in danger and were very lucky to be alive.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 117,322 miles · TN · fire

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Passenger and driver seat caught on fire spontaneously, engine or battery has also been dying/ malfunctioning, touch screen also has issues. Yes available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Almost burned by seat of if I didn’t smell a burning smell. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No.

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Electrical · OH · fire

My Durango was sitting for 2days and caught on fire.Started in the rear back of the truck on the passenger side. Fire Dept said it was Electrical and 10,000 dollars of damage.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Electrical · 154,000 miles · NC · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact returned to the vehicle to retrieve a work bag from the trunk. The contact noticed that there was smoke inside the vehicle, and flames were coming from underneath the front passenger's side seat. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with his breath, hand, and a cloth; however, the smoke persisted. The fire department was contacted and arrived at the scene. The fire department confirmed that the fire originated from the battery. No police report or fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an autobody repair shop by the insurance company for an estimate of the repair. The contact sustained smoke inhalation but had not yet received medical assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

Head rest on driver side with air bag started coming apart for no reason. I don’t see a recall Also, water keeps poking into rear tail light. No matter how many times I’ve drained it. I’ve heard this issue is called vehicle fires due to water getting into the electrical. I don’t want my vehicle to catch on fire with me or my grandkids inside. There is zero recalls and thousands of complaint regarding this issue. Dodge really need to do something about this before someone loses their life

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Engine · NC

1. Oil cap/oil cooler reservoir leaking oil and antifreeze on engine. I will be replacing soon and will keep defective part for your review. 2. Safety concern is that due to oil and coolant can pool up on top of engine, the liquids could catch on fire. This create high safety risk to my family and other people that may try to put out fire. 3. The leaking issue is well known to dealers and repair shops. Many on line leak issue noted. The original oil cooler reservoir base is made of plastic. Since the cooler is sitting right on top of pentastar 3.6 engine, the plastic base is exposed to severe heat and heat/temp cycles. The suspect cause of leaks points to plastic base warping creating seal leaks or stress cracks in housing. Part should be more a robust material like aluminum. 4. Leak was found recently April 17, 2024, by service tech during oil change. No oil or temp lights came on. Has not been reviewed by police, manuf, insurance. Cost to repair $800 to $1200.

Filed Nov 17, 2022 · 5 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Durango equipped with an engine oil dipstick, Part Number: 53034186AC. The contact stated that from the time the vehicle was purchased, there was significant smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he noticed that the oil level would be significantly low after driving 1,000 or 1,500 miles. The contact stated that as the dipstick fractured, he took the vehicle to the dealer for part replacement. However, the dealer provided him with a different dipstick, Part Number: 53034186AD and informed him that the replacement part was the correct part for the vehicle. The contact was informed that the original dipstick was the wrong part and had caused him to add an excessive amount of oil in the vehicle, which led to smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that he had not experienced a failure since replacing the dipstick. The contact related the failure to Chrysler Technical Service Bulletin Number: 09-010-15. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 5.

Filed May 11, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 30,000 miles · NM

Dodge "racetrack lighting" has cracks at upper left and upper right corners. Causing water to enter housing and short out a section of lights. Thankfully it has not caught fire. I see the same section of lights out on other dodge durangos. The dealership told me the "crack" was caused by me and there is nothing they can do about it and the cost would come out of my pocket. When inspected the cracks are uniform in shape and size.

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Lights · 45,000 miles · IN

In march of 2019 a policeman in my hometown stopped me and told me my taillight on my 2015 dodge durango was out. On further examination the policeman and I discovered that part of my tail light was not lit up and that my tail light has water in it. We can see the moisture and the water line. I took it to the service department where I bought vehicle. They examined my vehicle and told me that it was a bad design and that water was indeed in my taillight. They further told me that the extended warranty that I purchased when I bought vehicle would not cover it because it was water intrusion. They said it would cost $1,300.00 approx. To replace taillight. Ive been researching for the last 3 weeks and found a forum that had 100's of complaints on 2015 dodge durangos that have the same issue that I have. One complaint even stated that while she drove her car she could smell burning . I'm very concerned that this could indeed start a fire. I have my grandchildren with me 75% of the time when I am driving this vehicle that in itself is very distressing for me.