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: power train

105 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Nov 8, 2002

    TS

  2. Power train, Nov 8, 2002

    THE AIR CONDITION WILL NOT BLOW OUT COOL AIR. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

  3. Power train, Nov 8, 2002

    WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND VIBRATE AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

  4. Power train, Nov 8, 2002

    THE FRONT AXLE OF THIS DODGE DURANGO HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE, ABOUT 50 DECIBELS WHEN DRIVEN OVER THE SPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BY MELTON SALES OF CLAREMORE, OK. THE NOISE CAME BACK IN TWO DAYS. I HAVE A SCHEDULED REPAIR FOR 11/11/02 FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THE TOTAL DOWN TIME FOR THIS REPAIR IS 4 WEEKS, AS PARTS AND LABOR TAKE LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY FOR A $36000 VEHICLE. DODGE WILL LOSE MY BUSINESS AFTER THE REPAIR IS FINISHED. DT

  5. Power train, Nov 7, 2002

    CONSUMER STATE WHILE FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS PASS THROUGH FRONT TO BACK SEAT WITH VEHICLE RUNNING CHILD PANTS LEG PULL GEAR SHIFT INTO DRIVE CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO GARAGE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

  6. Power train, Oct 23, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH AS OTHER KEY CAN START HER ENGINE . DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

  7. Power train, Sep 3, 2002

    WHEN ENGINE IS ON AND IN PARK, CONSUMER IS ABLE TO MOVE INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKES. *AK CONSUMER CALLED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO COMPLAIN. THEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE COMPLAINT. CONSUMER ADVISED CONSUMER TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON. *JG

  8. Power train, Aug 22, 2002, crash

    KEY WAS IN IGNITION WHILE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND CHILD SHIFTED VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

  9. Power train, Aug 22, 2002

    GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM ENGAGES WITHOUT PRESSING FOOT ON BRAKE. A SMALL CHILD WAS ABLE TO PUT INTO GEAR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *SCC

  10. Power train, Aug 22, 2002

    THIS CAR IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THIS IS UNHEARD OF. THE VEICHLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK LEAVING ME WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. NO ARRANGEMENT WERE MADE FOR A FREE RENTAL BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON A ONE YEAR OLD CAR!. UNHAPPY CUSTOMER.*AK

  11. Power train, Jul 9, 2002

    CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, AFTER STALLING THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START, THE MESSAGE NO BUS APPEARED RIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND THE PCM CRANKSHAFT.*JB

  12. Power train, Jul 1, 2002, crash

    I WAS NOT TOLD THERE WAS NO SAFETY FEATURE ON THIS VEHICHLE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN GEAR WHILE THE CAR IS ON. SO MY ONE YEAR OLD DROVE THE DURANGO THREW THE GARAGE. AND DODGE TOLD ME IT WAS ON THERE THE FEATURE BUT THE SEARCHED AND DID NOT FIND IT. SO I FOUND OUT THAT THE 2003 HAS THIS SAFETY FEATURE AND THEY WILL NOT TELL ME WHY ITS ON THERE NOW. AND THEY WILL NOT PUT ONE ON IT OR GET US IN A 2003. I THOUGHT ALL VEHICHLES WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE THEM FOR SAFETY REASONS LIKE WHAT MY BABY DID. PLEASE HELP US TO GET OUR TRUCK CHILD PROOF. *AK

  13. Power train, Jun 30, 2002

    TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IN DRIVE IT WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. CONSUMERS SON WAS ABLE TO JARR THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BY CLIMBING ACROSS THE SEAT. THE GEAR SHIFT IS ABLE TO MOVE FROM GEAR TO GEAR AND OUT OF PARK WITH OUT THE VEHICLE BEING ON. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHOUT THIS VITAL SAFETY FEATURE. *JG

  14. Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2002

    1) CAR RACES AS IF IN HIGH GEAR (WHILE IN REVERSE AND THEN IN DRIVE) BUT WON'T MOVE UNLESS YOU FLOOR IT. AFTER 200FT. OF FLOORING IT ..IT DROPS INTO GEAR AND RUNS NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT SPECIFIC TO COLD WEATHER BUT ENGINE IS USUALLY COLD.. 2)PROBLEM IS COMMON TO DURANGOS...CAR SHIFTS FREELY FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT HAVING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE.*AK

  15. Power train, May 2, 2002

    TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH, WHEN IN REVERSE IT WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR, TCM AND QUICKLEARN. ON 30 APRIL 2002 AT 5 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL.*JB

  16. Power train, Apr 6, 2002

    AT 22000 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED BUT IS DOING THE JERKING AGAIN. THE REAR TUMBLE SEATS WOULD NOT FOLD PROPERLY, TOOK IT TO DEALER...PROBLEM REPAIRED. AT 25080 MILES A BEARING SPUN, TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT. IT IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 29, 2002

    AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A WHILE AND WHEN STARTING, IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DOES NOT HAVE FULL ACCELERATION POWER. WILL NOT PULL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED PROBLEM WAS THE FAN. *AK DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND ADDED INSULATION BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND AIR CONDITIONER, HOWEVER NOISES AND LACK OF POWER STILL EXISTS. *SLC

  18. Power train, Feb 19, 2002, crash

    CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION DUE TO RUSTED FRONT AXLE. AS A RESULT, FRONT AXLE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF THE TIRE. *AK

  19. Power train, Feb 12, 2002

    THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN BACKING UP, THE TRANSMISSION POPPED BACK INTO PARK AND LOCKED UP. *YH

  20. Power train, Feb 1, 2002

    CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (01V077000), CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT A PARTICULAR PART WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED, CONSUMER HAD TO CONTACT THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASSIONS TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE PARTS, WHICH TOOK ALMOST 2 MONTHS TO GET RESOLVED.*JB

  21. Power train, Jan 4, 2002

    VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF, CONSUMER WAS HELPING CHILD OUT OF VEHICLE, WHEN CHILD BUMPED INTO SHIFT LEVER AND CAUSED IT TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO JUMP IN, AND STOP VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. *JG *AK

  22. Power train, Dec 17, 2001

    CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT HER VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 01V077000 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED SERVICE, AND RECALL HAS YET TO BE REMEDIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

  23. Power train, Dec 17, 2001, crash

    CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WHILE EASING OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND WENT BACKWARD CAUSING THE DRIVER DOOR TO HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE FACE AND THE CONSUMER TO FALL OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHOWN WAS DRIVE NOT REVERSE. *SLC

  24. Power train, Oct 25, 2001

    GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DOESN'T INDICATE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN. WILL PUT VEHICLE IN PARK WITH INDICATOR STAYING IN PARK.*AK CONSUMER STATES GEAR SHIFT MAY NOT INDICATE ANY GEAR AT ALL. *JB

  25. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2001

    WHEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PUT ALL THE WAY INTO PARK POSITIONING, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT INDICATE IT IS IN ANY GEAR AT ALL. THERE IS A SQUARE WHICH SURROUNDS THE P, D, N, ETC. ON THE GEAR INDICATOR, AND NONE OF THEM WILL BE OUTLINED. IN ADDITION TO SOMETIMES NOT INDICATING THE CAR IS IN GEAR, IT CAN BE IN A DIFFERENT GEAR THAN INDICATED. IT CAN SAY IT IS IN DRIVE BUT WHEN ACCELORATOR IS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO ANYWHERE. IT SIMPLY REVS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL OVER MY SMALL CHILDREN IF I THINK IT IS IN PARK BUT IT ACTUALLY ISN'T. THE VEHILCE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES AND I AM TOLD THIS HAPPENS BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK