2018 Dodge Durango seat problems

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The passenger side active headrest restraint deployed at 3mph in a parking lot. There had been a safety recall for apparently my vin is not covered per dodge. [XXX] If this would have happened on the drivers side at highway speeds, it could have been deadly. The vehicle is at nyle Maxwell in Killeen and the passengers side is being replaced via extended warranty but my issue is getting the divers side replaced BEFORE it hits me in the back of the head. I spoke with dodge customer service and I was advised to submit a complaint. I think the model year range and trims should be expanded as this is still clearly an issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11745257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

June 11, 2026 Re: Unexpected Passenger-Side Active Head Restraint Deployment – 2018 Dodge Durango R/T To Whom It May Concern: I am reporting an incident involving my 2018 Dodge Durango R/T equipped with leather seats. Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2018 Dodge Durango R/T Seating: Leather Interior Affected Component: Passenger-Side Active Head Restraint (AHR) Mileage at Time of Incident: 126,207 miles Date of Incident: [XXX] Description of Incident: While traveling on the roadway on [XXX], the passenger-side Active Head Restraint (AHR) suddenly deployed without warning. There was no accident, collision, sudden stop, or any other event that would reasonably trigger the system. The vehicle was being operated normally at the time of the incident. My [XXX] son was seated in the front passenger seat when the headrest unexpectedly deployed and forcefully struck him in the back of the head. The deployment occurred without any impact to the vehicle and caused immediate concern for his safety and well-being. Following the deployment, the headrest remained in the deployed position and appears to require repair or replacement. Given that the system activated without a collision and made forceful contact with an occupant, I believe this represents a significant safety concern. I am aware that similar incidents have been reported by owners of Dodge Durangos and other Stellantis vehicles equipped with Active Head Restraint systems. NHTSA has previously investigated complaints involving headrests deploying without a crash and causing injuries to vehicle occupants. My incident appears consistent with those reported failures. I respectfully request that this incident be documented and investigated as a potential safety-related defect. Please advise whether there are any recalls, technical service bulletins, customer satisfaction programs, warranty extensions INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11743620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

Headrest on driver seat ejected at a stop and threw my wife’s head forward.

NHTSA complaint #11737703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while stopped in a Drive-Thru, there was an abnormally loud sound before the driver’s side head restraint unexpectedly deployed. The contact's head was pushed forward with force and struck the steering wheel. There was no injury reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the head restraint's unintended deployment. The contact was informed that the driver’s side headrest needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,800.

NHTSA complaint #11679834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, and the front passenger's side headrest unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under an unknown extended warranty coverage; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA complaint #11677233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

There is definitely something wrong with the headrests on the durangos. I was vacuuming my seats and i used the passenger lever to push it back and the headrest on the passenger side popped out and now the clips are broke & it wont pop back in. They definitely need to look into the headrests and fix this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11621275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

The front passenger side headrest Safety mechanism deployed as I was driving down the road and upon looking at it, a piece inside is broken. when the headrest deployed, it hit my passenger in the head, pushing him forward and give him a headache it came out so hard and fast I brought the car to the dealership today, 9/3/24 they said other year, Durango have a recall, but my year is not one of them there were no warning lights.

NHTSA complaint #11612364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

I was sitting in my car in the car line to drop my children off at school and the passenger seat headrest busted open and scared us 3 half to death. Luckily no one was sitting in the passenger seat, I believe if someone was it would have caused a severe headache and neck pain. I'm so fortunate it did not happen while I was driving either, who knows what my reaction would have been. Apparently this has happened to other vehicles including Dodge Durangos which is what I own. I took it to the dealership like Dodge customer service informed me to do and they weren't sure why it busted open and can't compress it back. The whole thing has to be replaced, $1,200. Dodge customer service doesn't feel like it's an issue and won't replace it. I've had a hard time getting any information from Dodge customer service and I can't seem to get them to call me back. My car has not been wrecked and this is definitely a manufacturing defect that needs to be addressed!! There was no warning at all that this was going to happen and no lights have come on in my car to let me know it did. Dodge needs to put out a recall on the headrest.

NHTSA complaint #11609717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

The AHR system for the passenger seat failed. While sitting in the school line for one of my kids, the passenger headrest (AHR system) malfunctioned and protruded forward. If the force behind the protrusion would have hit someone it could have caused a concussion, if it would have been the driver, could have caused an accident if in motion. Having issues with Dodge warranting for the repair, have had dealership look at it, said it needs to be repaired, and I am currently working on a case with Dodge itself. No warning lamps were on and have not came on since the issue. This is a manufacturing defect and should be covered under the X88.

NHTSA complaint #11609777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

While stopped at a traffic light, the drivers side front headrest exploded forward hitting my wife in the back of the head. Upon inspection, I noticed part of the plastic hinge inside the headrest had broken or sheared off. Although it did not appear to have caused her personal injury, had this occurred while driving it very well could have caused an accident, due to the impact and loud noise.

NHTSA complaint #11517079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The contact's wife owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the headrest deployed inadvertently and struck the contact in the back of the head. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in an unknown recall and the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,050.

NHTSA complaint #11487213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

The vehicle 8.4 inch display has become delaminated. It constantly changes comfort, radio, navigation, and Wi-Fi setting while the vehicle is in motion. This is a serious distraction to the driver and a serious safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11484337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

Unknown. My son hit the front passenger headrest with a toy and the headrest deployed. I was in the front passenger seat at the time this happened but it did not hit the back of my head.

NHTSA complaint #11476713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

SUV was parked not and overnight my passenger seat headrest "active head restraint" activated and opened up. I contacted Dodge/Chrysler Headquaters and they stated a recall was found for this safety feature but my vehicle VIN was not part of the recall. I should not be responsible for repairs. I know first hand how important safety features are needed on vehicle and how they save lives when working/used properly. I'm an FARS FL Analyst currently contracted with NHTSA

NHTSA complaint #11475961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

Headrest deployed while driving

NHTSA complaint #11474340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

The active headrest restraint deployed in the vehicle with no collision. It deployed randomly. It looks like there is a broken part inside the headrest. I just bought the car. I have complained to the dealer because it wasn't like that when I test drove it but I saw it after I bought it and was driving it home. Could have happened during the final detailing.

NHTSA complaint #11464966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a red light the front passenger’s seat headrest air bag inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was not involved in a collision. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 21,000.

NHTSA complaint #11427517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

On May 18, 2021, I got in my vehicle and was securing my seatbelt when I heard a really loud noise and felt something brush my head. I got out of the vehicle, walked around and inspected as I was not certain what it was. When I opened the rear passenger door, I noticed the headrest had deployed on the driver's side seat. The car was not in motion - it was not even on. This is a known defect, however, according to Fisher Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our vehicle is not one of the ones affected, yet this still happened. It is at the dealership to be repaired. Dodge has been advised of this incident.

NHTSA complaint #11417839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT INDEPENDENTLY RECLINED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RECLINE THE SEAT FORWARD, BUT THE HANDLE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT FAILED TO SLIDE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVENS CREEK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 4100 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 248-1800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT WAS FORCEFULLY PUSHED AND CAUSED THE CABLE TO DETACH. THE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,347. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11161446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

DOGS IN VEHICLE IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE. DOG IN FRONT MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH SWITCH OR CONTROL BACK\LOMBAR SEAT REST OPENED TO FOLD OPEN TO REAR ( SLEEP POSITION ) FRONT BACK REST TRAPPED AND CRUSHED DOG SLEEPING ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE, REQUIRED EMERGENCY STOP ON HIGHWAY TO ATTEMPT TO LOCATE SEAT SWITCH IN ORDER TO RELEASE DOG FROM POSITION. DOG ( 48 POUNDS ) SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES, INTERNAL BLEEDING AND LIVER DAMAGE DUE TO RAT TRAP LIKE SETUP OR FRONT SEAT VIOLENT MOTION TOWARDS REAR AND NO SAFETY RESTRAINT MECHANISM TO PREVENT SEAT FROM PINNING REAR PASSENGERS IN PLACE. WILL SUBMIT CIVIL COURT CASE TO RECOVER LOSSES AND MEDICAL FEES FOR INJURED PET. THIS VEHICLE PRESENTS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD CONSIDERING THERE ARE NO SAFETY MECHANISMS PREVENTING THE FRONT SEAT FROM OPENING IN SUCH A MANNER. HAVE OWNED LOTS OF CARS AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH DOGS FOR 25 YEARS NOW AND NEVER COME ACROSS SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, WILL GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE ASAP

NHTSA complaint #11101459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.