2001 Dodge Durango

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Suspension is the leading concern among 665 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 665

Of the 2001 reports, 60 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.

Primary concernSuspension264 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints665Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Suspension264
  2. Power train105
  3. Electrical system90
  4. Engine and engine cooling54
  5. Service brakes54
  6. Steering48
  7. Hydraulic45
  8. Air bags43

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. Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 4, 2007

    ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

    EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 07V555000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Electrical systemSep 7, 2006

    ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.

    THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

    Campaign 06V339000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftMar 7, 2001

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE OPERATOR MOVES THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH.

    THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE TO END UP IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION UNEXPECTEDLY AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.

    DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. 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 01V077000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Child seatNov 9, 2000

    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

    IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

    Campaign 00V366000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

43 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Aug 12, 2004, crash

    THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

  2. Air bags, Mar 5, 2004

    WHILE MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AT LEAST 6 TIMES. ONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING TWICE. THE OTHER DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING ONCE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. EACH TIME THE MECHANICS INDICATED THAT CLICKING NOISE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE HEARD OR LOCATED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TEST DRIVEN BY THE MECHANICS WITH CONSUMER IN VEHICLE.*AK

  3. Air bags, Feb 6, 2004

    CONSUMER READ AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER ABOUT A NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FOR A DIFFERENT MODEL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER WANTED NHTSA TO BE AWARE THAT THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

  4. Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2004

    CLOCK SPRING FAILURE-SAME SCEANARIO AS CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION INVOLVING DAIMLER CHRYSLER MINI-VANS. FAILURE RESULTED IN A NON-WARRANTY COVERED EXPENSE OF $219.42 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING.*AK

  5. Air bags, Jan 28, 2004, crash

    I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME PULLED OUT INTO THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING CAR. IT SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING HER AND HIS WHEELS LOCKED TO THE RIGHT AND HIS CAR TURNED ONTO THE ROAD I WAS ON AND HE HIT ME ALMOST HEAD ON AT ABOUT 30 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR. MY STEERING RACK IN PENION WAS BROKEN, MY RADIATOR, RADIATOR CORE, FAN, BOTH FAN HOUSINGS, GRILL, FRONT LEFT LIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS, BUMPER, TRANSMISSION LINE, AND DAMAGE TO INSIDE OF DASHBOARD WHERE MY DAUGHTER'S KNEES HIT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!!*AK

  6. Air bags, Jan 18, 2004, crash

    I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME DRIVING TO WORK. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME HAD ALREADY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM, WHEN I REALIZED THAT HE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, I WAD DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HR AND HIT MY BRAKES, MY DURANGO SLID AND HIT THE CAR. I TOTALED THE ENTIRE BACK END OF THE CAR I HIT, AND CURRENTLY THE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK IS STILL CLIMBING. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE IMPACT WAS PRETTY HARD AND THE DAMAGE IS MAJOR, NOT INCLUDING THE DRIVER I HIT WAS COMPLAINING OF NECK, KNEE AND BACK INJURIES. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY I WAS ALONE AND MY OLDER CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE FRONT SEAT. I SUBSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, HOWEVER THE POLICEWOMAN WHO ARRIVED AT THE SEEN WAS QUITE SURPRISED THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND SUGGESTED THAT I LOOK INTO TO WHY. *CB

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jan 12, 2004

    THE VEHICLE ON THIS OCCASION STARTED KNOCKING AND THE CHECK GAUGES LIGHT APPEARED. IT STATED I NEEDED OIL WHEN I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE. IT THEN CUT OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE SUPPOSEDLY DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. I HAVE HAD ALL OIL CHANGES AND SERVICES PERFORMED. I EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO HAVE THE 30,000 MILE SERVICE DONE. PREVIOUS PROBLEMS INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF AN AIR BAG, REAR WINDOW PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING, NOISES WHILE IN REVERSE WHEN PARKING, ALL IN ALL ALSO GETTING STUCK IN 4-HI. ALL IN ALL THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE MY ENGINE EVEN WITH MY CHRYSLER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES. ALSO HAD NEW IGNITION SWITCH INSTALLED DUE TO SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. *LA

  8. Air bags, Dec 22, 2003, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. *AK *NM

  9. Air bags, Oct 1, 2003, crash

    WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *NLM

  10. Air bags, Aug 19, 2003

    I OWN A 2001 DODGE DURANGO THAT IS IN E.XCELLENT CONDITION WITH APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES. THE CLOCKSPRING THAT SITS IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAS GONE BAD CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ON RENDERING THE AIRBAG USELESS. IT FIRST STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO ONLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT BUT HAS PROGESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, TO THE POINT THAT IT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME. *AK

  11. Suspension, Air bags, Aug 15, 2003, crash

    CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, CONSUMER HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A WALL. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF. *AK BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TIE ROD END FAILED TO CAUSE SUCH ACCIDENT. *TS

  12. Electronic stability control, Air bags, Aug 6, 2003, crash

    CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AN 18 WHEELER CAME TOWARD HER LANE. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES TO AVOID THE 18 WHEELER AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED AND FLIPPED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE RUSHED TO A HOSPITAL, WHERE THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. PASSENGER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. *AK

  13. Air bags, Apr 7, 2003, crash

    THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM

  14. Air bags, Feb 11, 2003, crash

    THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE.*JB

  15. Air bags, Dec 31, 2002, crash

    WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS *DT

  16. Air bags, May 15, 2002, crash

    CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER'S DOOR AND FORCED INTO A UNITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *TT

  17. Air bags, Dec 19, 2001, crash

    VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30MPH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND WILL INSPECT VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

  18. Air bags, May 18, 2001, crash

    NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH A 45 MILE/HOUR FRONTAL CRASH. *AK