2016 Dodge Durango: water leaks into the cabin

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Lights · TX

Around Thanksgiving of this year (2022), I noticed that my taillight housing for the center LED Racetrack lighting on my 2016 Dodge Durango was retaining water. I found this odd because light housings are supposed to be sealed and not allow water to enter. If water gets in, the electrical is at risk and lights can be shorted out or even cause an electrical fire. I conducted research and have found that this is a common issue with the Dodge Durango since this model has been sold. Water has been reported all over the internet of rear light housings that have shorted out or caused major issues. If the lights go out, it can cause visibility issues for vehicles behind you. I have noticed that the lights are now flickering on my vehicle in the area where the water settles. The same light housing contains the license plate lights, the back-up camera, and the reverse lights. I have also noticed that the main taillights that have the functioning brake lights and turn signal have had condensation as well. The part to replace this entire one section of lighting and electrical components is around $1,000. I have noticed that a technical bulletin was sent out by Dodge reference the "License Plate LED Light Inoperative - Moisture Visible Within the Lens" but it seems to only apply to the license plate lights. However, I believe the issue is much bigger than just the license plate lights and should be addressed with the manufacturer. Most of the components on this light housing contain lighting that is required by most state laws, especially in Texas, to be functional. The rear license plate lights and the reverse lights must be functional to pass vehicle inspection that is required to register the vehicle every year. Worst case scenario, the entire housing shorts out and the owner is left with a vehicle that has non-functioning license plate lights, reverse camera, and reverse lights.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Lights · 16,000 miles · NY

The LED race track style light bars, which are the taillights for dodge vehicles equipped with them, are defective in design; such that they are not sealed properly to prevent water intrusion. The LED light bars allow water to pool in the bottom of them causing the lights to go out. Needless to say, since this is the taillight system for the vehicle, it poses a grave safety risk. Additionally, dodge does not consider 'seals' part of their warranty coverage when you try to have it repaired through that channel. I would think driving around with defective water leaking and soon to be malfunctioning taillights would be a bigger safety risk in the eyes of dodge; however, they seem to think telling me they can order me a new one for $1,200 when it left the factory defective in design is an appropriate remedy.

Filed Dec 27, 2019 · Lights · NY

Water leaks into and pools in rear tail lights/brake light causing them to fail. Research has found this to be a common problem.

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Lights · 44,001 miles · KY

Water leaks into the racetrack lighting and pools causing burnout of LED lighting. This results in reducing visibility of the vehicle due lack of lighting at night. This is a common issue with multiple dodge durango's.

Filed Sep 23, 2019 · Lights · 74,000 miles · GA

The center tail light housing leaked water inside and made the lights to short out and quit working.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Lights · 41,000 miles · IL

This dodge durango is a garage kept vehicle that has had water leak into what should be a sealed tail light bar. The water has destroyed the bulbs and makes that side of the rear of the vehicle less visible. This vehicle has never been damaged in a collision or backed into anything. There is no recall on this defective part even tough I have seen several examples of this defect on varying years of these durangos.

Filed Feb 5, 2019 · Lights · 50,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 dodge durango. The contact stated that water entered the tail lights, which caused the bulbs to burn out. The dealer (moore chrysler inc, 1523 w 3rd ave, williamson, wv 25661) stated that the contact would have to pay out of pocket to have the lights repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Mar 25, 2018 · Lights · 51,000 miles · TN

Water is pooling into the tail lights. The "racetrack " section of the tail light is now flickering and staying off. The replacement is over $1000. The "racetrack" tail light has to be replaced which includes back up camera. You should be able to purchase those components separately. I spent a lot of money for a vehicle that I believed would be dependable and not give me such bizarre issues. I don't know if the water gets in while riding down the road or while stationary

Filed Feb 9, 2018 · Lights · 21,000 miles · WA

Water continues to enter the rear race track tail light and is not covered under warranty. Once the water fills the light the LED goes out and must be replaced for safety (has not gone out on mine yet). My lights are sealed and there is no damage to them yet there is water entering the inside of the lights. I am unable to see if the water enters the lights during motion or when stationary.