2000 Dodge Durango

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Suspension is the leading concern among 1,097 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,097

Of the 2000 reports, 118 involved a crash and 26 involved a fire. 88 people were injured and 11 people died.

Primary concernSuspension513 reports · 47% of complaints
Owner complaints1,097Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Suspension513
  2. Engine and engine cooling133
  3. Power train120
  4. Service brakes84
  5. Steering84
  6. Hydraulic74
  7. Electrical system57
  8. Air bags52

Recalls and investigations

  1. Suspension, front, hubOct 20, 2008

    SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.

    IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

    SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

    Campaign 08E064000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006

    CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

    A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

    K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

    Campaign 06E024000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Suspension, front, control arm, upper ball jointDec 21, 2004

    ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

    EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 04V596000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bagsMay 8, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

    WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 01V153000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

1,097 reports, newest first.

  1. Suspension, Jul 15, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER, WHO WAS A MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE UPPER FRONT BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK AFTER THE REMOVAL OF THE RIGHT SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS, THEY APPEARED TO HAVE NEVER BEEN LUBED AT THE ASSEMBLY LINE. *SC *JB

  2. Steering, Suspension, Jul 15, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND TR MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *AK THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THERE WAS DAMAGE IN THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING GEAR, CONTROL ARM, AND THE AXLE SHAFT WERE ALL REPLACED. *SC *JB

  3. Power train, Jul 15, 2004, crash

    WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE INTO DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD COLLIDING WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT "THE BRAKE DISENGAGEMENT FEATURE IS NOT ON THE VEHICLE". *LA THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS SAFETY FEATURE WAS NOT INSTALLED ON DODGE VEHICLE'S UNTIL 2001. *NM

  4. Air bags, Jul 12, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND RAN INTO AN EMBANKMENT HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

  5. Air bags, Jul 12, 2004, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP WERE CONTACTED. *AK

  6. Air bags, Jul 12, 2004, crash

    CONSUMER FELL A SLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH ,RESULTING IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

  7. Suspension, Jul 12, 2004

    BOTH FRONT HUBS ARE BAD CAUSING BOTH TIRES TO WOBBLE AND SWAY ON TURNS. TIRES ARE NOW WORN OUT COMPLETELY ON INSIDE. *LA

  8. Suspension, Jul 8, 2004

    UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED INSPECTION. MY CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR(IN OPPOSITON TO CHRYSLER'S CLAIM THAT OWNERS WILL BE ABLE TO TELL). *AK

  9. Suspension, Jul 7, 2004

    UPPER AND LOWER SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION AND PREMATURE WEARING. DEALER INFORMS ME THIS IS A FREQUENT AND RECURRING PROBLEM WITH DURANGOS AND CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS FRONT END LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IF THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL ITEM?*AK

  10. Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2004

    THE TWO OCCURRENCES INVOLVED PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF VARIOUS DEVICES AND COMPONENTS. AT APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES (AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED), THE DEVICE THAT CONTROLS THE CHECK ENGINE OPERATIONS HAD TO BE REPLACED. MOST RECENTLY, AT 40,000 MILES, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE LINES CAUSED THE PUMP DAMAGE. *NM

  11. Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2004

    WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 60- 65 MPH AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER STATES, "HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP FOR 15 MILES OR MORE UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTO A GRASSY AREA". THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

  12. Seat belts, Jun 29, 2004

    CONSUMER STATES THAT SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE ONCE LOCKED IN IT IS A PROBLEM GETTING OUT OF THE SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SEAT BELTS WERE NOT ON RECALL, AND IT WILL COST CONSUMER APPROXIMATELY $300.00 TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED. *AK

  13. Suspension, Jun 29, 2004

    WHILE VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH STATE INSPECTION TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS WOBBLY, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

  14. Suspension, Jun 29, 2004

    DURING A VEHICLE INSPECTION, THE INSPECTOR FOUND THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB

  15. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 25, 2004

    BRAKE ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. CONSUMER HAD THE ROTORS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

  16. Suspension, Jun 24, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONSUMER MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. A MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB

  17. Suspension, Jun 23, 2004

    WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2004

    DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN OIL PRESSURE WENT TO 0PSI. BY THE TIME I MANAGED TO GET OVER 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC A KNOCKING NOISE HAD BEGUN. HAD IT TOWED TO CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT I TRUST, HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH DEALING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND HE TOLD ME THAT I HAD A SPUN MAIN BEARING DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE ENGINE HAS 84000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED BY ME EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE WITH A MINIMAL COST OF $3500 FOR A SALVAGE MOTOR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY WOULD DO TO HELP ME EXEPT THEY OFFERED TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN FOR ME. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURING AND WOULD LIKE FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO BE HELD SOMEWHAT RESPONSIBLE.*AK

  19. Suspension, Jun 17, 2004

    PURCHASED MY SLIGHTLY USED DURANGO IN JUNE 2003. IMMEDIATELY FELT THE STEERING WAS "LOOSE". TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS THEY COULD SEE. HAD MY CAR INSPECTED 11 MONTHS LATER AND IT FAILED B/C THE LEFT BALL JOINT WAS BAD. LUCKILY, I HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR IT WOULD'VE BEEN A HEFTY FEE TO REPLACE. IT'S BEEN 1 MONTH SINCE THAT REPLACEMENT AND STILL CAN'T CONTROL THE STEERING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR TURNING. I'M TAKING MY DURANGO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY FOR THEM TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK TO SEE IF MAYBE THERE ARE MORE BALL JOINTS OR SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE STEERING. *JB

  20. Suspension, Jun 16, 2004, crash

    WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE RIM TO BREAK, THE WHEEL TO TURN OUTWARDS, AND TIRE WENT FLAT. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A POLE. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY BALL JOINT FAILURE. *AK

  21. Suspension, Jun 14, 2004

    WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT LOWER ARM BALL JOINT AND UPPER ARM BALL JOINT WORE OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

  22. Suspension, Jun 13, 2004

    2000 DODGE DURANGO BALL JOINT FAILURE. 49,000 MILES ON IT AND THE BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM. *AK

  23. Suspension, Jun 3, 2004

    AT 38000 MILES CONSUMER REPLACED PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. AT 84000 MILES TECHNICIAN INDICATED NEEDED TO BE REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS. *NM

  24. Suspension, Jun 2, 2004

    BALL JOINTS. UPON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND REPORTS OF FAILURES ON THE DODGE DURANGOS I RECENTLY CHECK THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON MY PERSONAL VEHICLE TO FIND THREE OF THE FOUR BALL JOINTS WITH EXTENSIVE WEAR. ONE TO THE POINT WHERE SEPARATION IS POSSIBLE. BEING IN THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY FOR OVER 25 YEARS I FIND DODGES RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER NOT TO BE COMPLETELY CORRECT. DODGE CLAIMS A FRONT END NOISE SHOULD BE HEARD AND THAT SEPARATION WILL ONLY OCCUR WITH SHARP HARD TURNS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. THEY CLAIM THE DESIGN OF THE CONTROL ARMS MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEPARATE WOULD ONLY HOLD TRUE IF SPRING PRESSURE WAS APPLIED ON THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, WHICH IT HAS NONE. THEY CLAIM THAT WATER WASHES THE LUBRICANT OUT OF THE JOINT. IF THE JOINT HAD BEEN PRODUCED PROPERLY WATER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE JOINT, IF THE JOINT WAS ABLE TO BE LUBRICATED IT WOULD REDUCE THIS PROBLEM, AS WEAR IS FROM LACK OF LUBRICANT MORE THAN WATER. I FEEL LIKE THE COST OF REPAIRS TO THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMERS, BUT THE MANUFACTURES RESPONSIBILITYS AS IT IS APPARENT THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM AND IS HOLDING THE BLIND EYE TO IT. ONCE THE JOINTS ARE REPLACED THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK

  25. Air bags, May 28, 2004, crash, fire

    I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WAITED FOR THE OTHER VEHICLE TO GO BY. AS THEY PASSED ME, I MADE A RIGHT TURN AND HEADED SOUTH IN THE SAME DIRECTION. WITHIN 30 FT AFTER I TOOK OFF FROM THE STOP SIGN, I GLANCED TO THE LEFT AND WHEN I LOOKED FORWARD THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ME HAD STOPPED. I TURNED MY WHEELS TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY DRIVER FRONT CORNER STRUCK HIS REAR RIGHT CORNER. I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL AND ALL THE CHILDREN WERE PRESENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET. MY VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS PUSHED IN AND THEN IT STARTED ON FIRE. WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I CALLED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE FOUND. CHRYSLER WENT INTO GREAT DETAIL WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT AS FAR AS FIRE GOES I WAS TOLD " IT APPEARS THE IMPACT CAUSED A SHORT, WHICH STARTED THE FIRE". NO OTHER EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN AT ALL. FROM THE STOP SIGN TO WHERE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 220 FT. I DON'T THINK THAT A $34,000 VEHICLE SHOULD BE LOST AT 20MPH IMPACT. I WAS GIVEN CHRYSLER FILE #[XXX]. VEHICLE: 2000 DODGE DURANGO, VIN [XXX] ST. FRANCIS, WI POLICE DEPARTMENT & ST. FRANCIS FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT TO THE ACCIDENT SITE. *LA UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)