The Durango racetrack tail light lawsuit is a significant class action legal case concerning the popular third-generation Dodge Durango SUVs (model years 2014 to 2023) and a major defect involving their distinctive “racetrack” LED tail light assemblies. Owners allege that these tail lights are prone to water intrusion that causes severe electrical failures and resulting costly repairs, posing not only financial burdens but also safety risks to drivers and others on the road.
Background and Nature of the Defect
Dodge Durango’s racetrack tail lights feature a continuous LED light loop spanning the rear tailgate and housing critical rear lighting components, including the brake lights, backup lights, license plate lights, and the rearview camera system. The lawsuit claims that design and manufacturing flaws lead to water infiltration from rain, car washes, melting snow, or other environmental exposure. Once water enters the sealed light assembly, it accumulates and causes corrosion and short circuits of internal electrical parts.
These electrical failures first appear as flickering, dimming, or partial outages of the taillights and backup systems, ultimately progressing to complete malfunction of multiple rear-end systems. Plaintiffs report that the damage caused by water intrusion impairs vehicle visibility signals and disables safety features like the rearview camera, substantially increasing the risk of traffic accidents and injury. Moreover, the electrical shorts in the taillight assembly may create fire hazards, further endangering vehicle occupants and others.
Legal Claims and Allegations
- Design Defect: The suit alleges the racetrack tail light design inherently permits water ingress and fails to adequately protect electrical components from moisture.
- Concealment and Non-Disclosure: Plaintiffs claim Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) was aware of the defect since at least 2020, as evidenced by internal technical service bulletins to dealerships, but failed to notify customers or issue a recall.
- Failure to Repair and Warranty Issues: The lawsuit asserts that FCA routinely denied free repairs even under warranty and refused to reimburse owners for costly out-of-pocket tail light replacements, which can cost up to $2,000.
- Safety Risk: Claims highlight the substantial safety hazard from malfunctioning tail lights and related electrical failures, creating increased collision risk and possible fire dangers.
- Economic Damages: Owners seek compensation for repair costs, diminished vehicle value, and related expenses due to the recurring and persistent nature of the defect.
Current Status and Developments
The lawsuit has been filed in federal court and class action status has been granted, covering Dodge Durango SUVs from 2014 through 2023. Discovery and motions are underway, with courts setting schedules for hearings and trial proceedings. The automaker has been urged by plaintiffs and courts to consider recalls or permanent fixes to the racetrack tail light defect, but as of mid-2025, no recall has been announced.
Several technical service bulletins issued by FCA in 2020 and 2021 instructed dealerships to document water intrusion issues but did not mandate customer notification or widespread corrective action. Owners continue to report recurring problems and expenses for multiple tail light repairs, noting that replacement parts suffer the same vulnerability to water damage.
Impact on Consumers and Vehicle Safety
The case has drawn broad attention from Durango owners and automotive safety advocates concerned about the financial burden and the grave safety implications of defective tail light assemblies. Properly working rear lights are crucial for safe driving, serving as signaling devices and visibility aids in low-light conditions. The water-induced failures severely undermine these functions on affected vehicles.
Durango owners and plaintiffs urge FCA to implement permanent design corrections and provide full warranty coverage or compensation to mitigate the impact on consumers. The class action also raises awareness of the need for transparency and proactive safety measures by automakers to protect customers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Durango Racetrack Tail Light Lawsuit
Which vehicles are affected?
The 2014 to 2023 model year Dodge Durango SUVs with the “racetrack” LED tail light design.
What is the main problem with the racetrack tail lights?
Water intrusion into the tail light assembly leads to electrical corrosion, lighting failures, malfunctioning backup cameras, and raises fire hazard risks.
Who is sued in this case?
The lawsuit is filed against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA
