Dodge Durango Racetrack Tail Light Lawsuit Moves Forward

The popular third-generation Dodge Durango (WD) is facing a significant class action lawsuit over its distinctive “racetrack” LED tail lights. Owners of 2014 to 2023 Dodge Durango SUVs claim that water intrusion into the solid rear light assemblies is leading to widespread electrical failures and expensive repair costs.

Alleged Design Flaws and Water Damage – 

According to the lawsuit, the design of the racetrack tail lights makes them particularly vulnerable to water damage. Water from sources like rain, car washes, melting snow, and other environmental factors allegedly enters the light assembly, leading to corrosion and burnout of the internal electrical components. Once water infiltrates the system, multiple essential rear-end systems are reportedly at risk of failure. These include the racetrack tail lights, backup lights, license plate lights, and even the rearview camera system.

High Repair Costs and Persistent Issues – 

The lawsuit states that a replacement for the racetrack tail light assembly can cost around $2,000. Even more concerning, the plaintiffs allege that the replacement parts provided by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) suffer from the same design flaws, continuing the cycle of water damage and electrical failures. This has led to mounting frustration among Dodge Durango owners, many of whom believe FCA should issue a recall to address the issue with a permanent fix.

One Durango owner described their experience, saying, “After just a few heavy rains, I noticed condensation inside the racetrack light. Shortly after, my rearview camera stopped working, and my backup lights went out. When I went to the dealership, they quoted me nearly $2,000 for a replacement—and even then, they couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.”

Court Case Timeline and Key Dates – 

The case, Cranstoun, et al., v. FCA US LLC, is currently being debated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Judge Christopher J. Burke has set an extended timeline for the case, with key dates reaching well into 2027:

• Joint status report due by February 14, 2025
• Joinder of parties and amended pleadings due by May 5, 2025
• Fact discovery to be completed by July 31, 2025
• Opening expert reports due by September 4, 2025
• Rebuttal expert reports due by November 5, 2025
• Reply expert reports due by December 19, 2025
• Expert discovery completed by January 19, 2026
• Interim status report due by January 12, 2026
• Dispositive motions due by June 12, 2026
• Final pretrial conference scheduled for January 25, 2027
• 10-day jury trial set for February 1, 2027

The plaintiffs are represented by a trio of law firms: the Bifferato Firm, Sauder Schelkopf, and Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP. Legal experts anticipate that this case could have significant implications not just for Dodge, but for the automotive industry as a whole if the court finds that FCA knowingly sold vehicles with defective parts.

What This Means for Dodge Durango Owners – 

As the case progresses, Dodge Durango owners remain hopeful for a resolution that addresses the alleged defects and prevents further costly repairs. Until then, drivers continue to face the risk of expensive replacements and potential safety hazards due to failing rear-end lighting and camera systems.