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: suspension

264 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Suspension, Mar 15, 2005

    THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING 50-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WHOLE LEFT HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE FRONT TIRE ALMOST FELL OFF DUE TO A FAULTY WHEEL BEARING. *TC

  2. Suspension, Mar 11, 2005

    THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS UNDER THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. *AK

  3. Suspension, Power train, Mar 8, 2005

    A RECALL FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO MONTHS. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD LIFETIME BRAKES INSTALLED ON HER VEHICLE TWICE. 4WD SHAFT WAS REPLACED TWICE. *TC

  4. Suspension, Air bags, Mar 7, 2005, crash

    DODGE DURANGO 2001 UPPER BALL JOINTS AND AIR BAG DEFECT. VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE BALL JOINT RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE BALL JOINT FAILED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FRONT END OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE PROTECTION BARRIER. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND AS A RESULT HE HIT HIS HEAD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE BALL JOINT RECALL BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DAY OF THE CONSUMER'S APPOINT TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT REPLACED THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. ONCE AGAIN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEAD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. *NM

  5. Suspension, Mar 7, 2005

    AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER DEALER, THEY FOUND THE DEFECT AND REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS. NHTSA BALL JOINT RECALL 04V596000. *JB

  6. Suspension, Mar 7, 2005

    DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE LOOSE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

  7. Suspension, Mar 4, 2005

    WHILE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BEING REPLACED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

  8. Suspension, Mar 3, 2005

    NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINTS. HANOVER, DODGE, 717-637-1101. *AK

  9. Suspension, Mar 2, 2005

    WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE FRONT END PROBLEMS ON THE DODGE DURANGO BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2 WHEEL DRIVE AFTER 100,000 MILES. WE ARE 11,000 OUTSIDE THIS NOTICE BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE 4X4. THIS SEEMS PRETTY BIASED ON THE PART OF THE DODGE CORPORATION. WHY THE DESCREPENCYI????????? *AK

  10. Suspension, Mar 2, 2005

    THE HUBS ALSO BECAME DEFECTIVE ONCE THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE MANUFACTURER'S ATTENTION.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN . NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V596000 FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT. *TC

  11. Suspension, Mar 2, 2005

    ONCE THE BALL JOINTS BECOME DEFECTIVE THE HUB ASSEMBLY BECOMES DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN . NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V596000 FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT. *TC

  12. Suspension, Feb 18, 2005

    NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000/BALL JOINT WEAR. OWNER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON JANUARY 5, 2005 ON THE UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ASKING WHY WAS IT TAKING SO LONG TO GET THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL. OWNER WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST FOR THREE WEEKS. AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY CAN NOT MEET THE DEMANDS OF ALL THE RECALLS. *TC

  13. Suspension, Feb 16, 2005

    NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, OTHERWISE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF. *AK

  14. Suspension, Feb 16, 2005

    NHTSA RECALL 04V596000; CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION. *AK *SC *JB

  15. Suspension, Feb 10, 2005

    CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. HOWEVER, CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SOMETIME, ALMOST ONE MONTH, AND WAS BEING TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS. *AK

  16. Suspension, Feb 10, 2005

    THE FRONT END WOBBLED/SHIMMIED WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FRONT WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOOSE BECAUSE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

  17. Suspension, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 10, 2005

    NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN THE LAST FAILURE WAS BECAUSE I DON'T TRAVEL "ALL" THE TIME... BUT WHEN I DO... SOMETIMES THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. THIS IS NOT GOOD WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. THE FLASHER SWITCH DOES NOT WORK ANY LONGER AND THE FLASHERS CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. I HEAR CLICKING NOISES UNDER THE DASH AND HAVE EVEN TRIED PULLLING FUSES... YOU CANNOT TURN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OFF. MY DESTINATION IS ABOUT 250 MILES AWAY AND WHEN THIS DOES HAPPENS, THEY MAY CONTINUE TO FLASH ALL NIGHT LONG RESULTING IN THE BATTERY BEING DEAD THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE A FEELING THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN I DON'T TRAVEL BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN I WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE ALL NIGHT.THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FIRE OR DEATH...*AK THE DEALER "MAXWELL DODGE" IN AUSTIN TEXAS IS "SPECIAL" AND DOES NOT HAVE TO ADHERE TO ANY "LAWS". THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON MY 2001 DURANGO EITHER UNLESS I CAN LEAVE IT THERE "UNTIL THEY GET AROUND TO IT". THEY WON'T MAKE AN "APPOINTMENT" FOR THE 2 HOUR REPAIR NEEDED AND INSIST THAT I BRING IT THERE AND LEAVE IT UNTIL THEY READY TO GIVE IT BACK. WHAT A SCAM! I HOPE THAT YOU WILL REVIEW THIS MATTER AND CORRECT THESE ISSUES WITH THE UNETHICAL DEALERS THAT MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO ALLOW DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT OF THIER PRODUCTS.. THANKS, [XXX] 2001 DODGE DURANGO R/T 4X4 5.9 LITER VIN: [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  18. Suspension, Feb 9, 2005

    CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BALL JOINTS ON THE DODGE DURANGO. HOWEVER, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES, AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. *AK

  19. Suspension, Feb 7, 2005

    NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. DEALER WILL REPAIR AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR FOUR DAYS BUT ONLY GETS AN ANSWERING MACHINE. *NM

  20. Suspension, Jan 31, 2005

    DURING A RECENT STATE INSPECTION ON MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO IT WAS FOUND THAT ONE OF MY UPPER AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN EXTENSIVELY AND THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION.*AK I WAS SCHEDULED FOR A RECALL REPLACEMENT FOR THE UPPERS AS PER THE RECAL, HOWEVER AFTER CONTACTING DODGE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT DAMAGE ARE UNRELATED TO THE RECALL. I FEEL THAT THE FAILURE AND DEFECT IN THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE, AND THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO INCLUDE BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS.

  21. Suspension, Jan 27, 2005

    RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE DAY BEFORE THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT THE REP CALLED STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *NM *JB

  22. Suspension, Jan 25, 2005

    SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN 04 V 596 000/BALL JOINT WEAR: THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER BROKE ONE OF THE LUG NUTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHILE PERFORMING THE SAFETY REPAIRS AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIRING THE BROKEN LUG NUT. *JB

  23. Suspension, Jan 21, 2005

    NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT WHEN TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. DEALER WILL REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *NM

  24. Suspension, Jan 21, 2005

    WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKES A HUMMING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THEIR VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. *NM

  25. Suspension, Power train, Jan 19, 2005

    THE VEHICLE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED AT 60000 MILES BECAUSE IT MADE NOISE. *NM WHILE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS BEING REPLACED THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. THE CONSUEMR REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BALL JOINTS SINCE THEY WERE RECALLED. *NM