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.
Of the 2001 reports, 60 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: suspension
264 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Sep 5, 2003
CLUNKING, RATTLES AND SQUEAKS FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION DURING SHARP TURNS OR BUMPS. VEHICLE HAS 18,100 MILES ON IT. DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PREMATURE FAILURE AS REFERENCED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE03032.*AK
Suspension, Sep 3, 2003
I HAD TO PREMATURELY REPLACE THE RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM ON MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED. SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS A GOOD IDEA THAT I LISTENED TO THE RATTLE AND HAD IT FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENED. *AK
Suspension, Sep 2, 2003
WE OWN A 2001 DODGE DURANGO, NO LONGER UNDFER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR SHAKING AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I DO BELIEVE IT IS THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE MANUFACTURER GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS TO COMPENSATE THE OWNERS OF THESE PREMATURE WEARING OF THE BALL JOINTS? IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? ALSO, WHAT RISK AM I TAKING DRIVING THE DURANGO THE WAY IT IS? WE HAVE 3 YEAR OLD SON.*AK
Suspension, Sep 1, 2003
VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING VERY HARD RIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD IT COULDN'T BE PERFORMED BECAUSE OF BAD BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 44,000 MILES ON IT AND IT APPEARS THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE BALL JOINTS AS THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.*AK
Suspension, Aug 22, 2003
FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS ON A 2001 DODGE DURANGO.*AK
Suspension, Electrical system, Aug 22, 2003
THE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR. *AK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Suspension, Aug 15, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE WAS A NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS AND RE-TORQUED THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. *AK *JB
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
Suspension, Power train, Aug 14, 2003
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN MAIN REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ALTHOUGH THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THE CAUSE HAD NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. ALSO WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, BUT NOT ENGAGED , CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. *AK
Suspension, Aug 10, 2003
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WINDOW DOWN I HEARD SQUEAKS WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS, BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT MY RIGHT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WORN OUT AND NEEDS TO REPLACE BALL JOINT/UPPER CONTROL ARM AND ALIGN FRONT END ($500). MY CAR WAS AT 37000 MI!!! *NLM
Suspension, Aug 7, 2003
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT ONLY 33966 MILES. THE CONSUMER HAD READ OF MANY OTHER DERANGES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER JOINTS BUT NOT THE LOWER JOINTS. *PH *AK *JB
Suspension, Aug 6, 2003
CONTROL ARMS/BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THIS INCLUDES BOTH SETS OF UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BALL JOINTS.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 2, 2003
NOISE IN FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION OF OUR 2001 DURANGO WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER, FIRST THEY SAID THEY WERE REPLACING TIE-ROD THEN THEY REPLACED THE BALL JOINT. @ WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, CAR MAKING SAME NOISE.*AK
Suspension, Jul 31, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. ALSO INDICATED THAT HE IS AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION THAT DODGE HAS ON THE DURANGOS. *PH
Suspension, Jul 31, 2003
FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WORE OUT PEMATURE CAUSING VERY UNSAFE DRIVING--HAD TO REPLACE. *PH
Suspension, Jul 30, 2003
CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE SERVICE. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS. FAILURE OF JOINTS MAY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION.
Suspension, Jul 29, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE WORN OUT COMPLETELY. VEHICLE IS IN A REPAIR SHOP AT THIS MOMENT FOR UPPER BALL JOINT REPAIRS.*AK
Suspension, Jul 29, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING BALL JOINTS ARE WEARING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Suspension, Jul 29, 2003
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO, AND OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END. APPROX. 3-4 WEEKS AGO I BROUGHT MY TRUCK INTO NTB FOR THIS TO BE CHECKED. THEY SOLD ME ON NEW FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS, FRONT-END ALIGNMENT, AND TIRE ROTATION. THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. SO LAST WEEK, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO PEP BOYS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY THOUGHT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS BAD, BUT NEEDED TO BRING IT INTO A DODGE DEALER. TODAY I BROUGHT MY TRUCK INTO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45,000, AND EVERY PERSON I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE LASTED FOR AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. THIS SHOULD BE ANOTHER TESTAMENT TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DURANGO BALL JOINTS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WERE NOT FORTHCOMING WITH ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PENDING INVESTIGATION, AND VERY ELUSIVE WHEN QUESTIONED.*AK
Suspension, Jul 29, 2003, crash
FRONT WHEEL FELL (FROM THE BALL JOINTS TO THE TIRE) OFF OUR 2001 DODGE DURANGO CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB. APPEARED TO BE FAULTY BALL JOINT (AREA), CHRYSLER INVESTIGATED AND SAID IT WASN'T FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COVER-UP ON CHRYSLERS PART. PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY COULD HAVE DIED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS ACCIDENT.*AK EA03-023
Suspension, Jul 29, 2003
FAILURE OF UPPER BALL-JOINT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF 2001 DODGE DURANGO.*AK
Suspension, Jul 28, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Suspension, Jul 28, 2003
*AKCONSUMER STATES THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS FAILING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
Suspension, Jul 28, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT IS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Suspension, Jul 24, 2003
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK