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, Nov 13, 2003
WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS VEHICLE SHOOK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
Suspension, Nov 13, 2003
WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO AND IT HAS 52,953 MILES ON IT AND NEEDS TO HAVE THE FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC TRIED TO ORDER THE BALL JOINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT ON A VEHICLE WITH THIS LOW OF MILES. IT IS OUR PRIMARY VEHICLE AND WE HAVE TO DRIVE IT AS IS BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *LA
Suspension, Nov 12, 2003
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE DEALERSHIP FIX THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
Suspension, Nov 12, 2003
MY DURANGO IS ALL OVER THE ROAD ON BUMPY SURFACES AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO HIT A BUMP ON A CORNER, IT JUMPS ACROSS THE ROAD. THE DEALER PUT ON NEW FRONT SHOCKS, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO RETURN IT AGAIN. *LA
Suspension, Nov 12, 2003
WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, UPPER AND LOWER WERE BAD. THIS VEHICLE ALWAYS KNOCKED. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM, BUT COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT. *AK THE PART HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HEARD ON THE NEWS A RECALL WAS IN THE MAKING, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL . *SCC *JB
Suspension, Nov 11, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 2001 DODGE DURANGO ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY, UP HILL, THE FRONT WHEELS SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK, HITTING TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON, AND TOTALLING VEHICLE. *AK
Suspension, Nov 10, 2003
FRONT SUSPENSION, BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WORE OUT PREMATURELY... BEFORE 30,000 MILES.*AK
Suspension, Nov 7, 2003
THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT WORE OUT PREMATURELY ON MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO. *LA
Steering, Suspension, Nov 2, 2003
REPLACEMENT OF LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM AND LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AT 47,000 DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *LA
Suspension, Oct 31, 2003
WITH 51,000 MILES ON MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO, I HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE CLAIMED THAT THIS PREMATURE WEAR IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT LIKELY. *LA
Suspension, Oct 30, 2003
HAVE A 2001 DURANGO WITH 48,000 MILES. HAVING BALL JOINT PROBLEMS AS WELL. CHECKED THEM AND APPEAR WORN. WILL REPLACE THEM BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER THAN 48,000. *LA
Suspension, Oct 28, 2003
DEALER REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AT 40,000 MILLES. *AK
Suspension, Oct 28, 2003
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED.*AK
Suspension, Oct 28, 2003
2001 DURANGO REQUIRED RT UPPER BALL JOINT ARM, RT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, LET LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, RT OUTER TIE-ROD END REPLACEMENTS AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. 45,322 MILES CONSIDERED PREMATURE DEFECTS.*AK
Suspension, Oct 27, 2003
UNSTABLE FRONT WHEELS WHEN GOING OVER (PERPENDICULAR) BRIDGE SEAMS AT POSTED HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I.E. THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ABRUPTLY AND VERTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLY AS THE FRONT WHEELS SEEM UNSTABLE. I HAVE TO CONSCIOUSLY PLAN AND BRACE FOR THE ACTION.*AK
Suspension, Oct 23, 2003, crash
LOWER BALL JOINT (RT SIDE) FAILED IN A SLOW SPEED TURN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, TIE ROD END FAILURE, AND IMPACT WITH LIGHT POLE.
Suspension, Oct 19, 2003
DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM REPLACED AT 13,802 MILES. BOTH CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AT 25,700 MILES. HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. *LA
Suspension, Oct 15, 2003
ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD. *LA
Suspension, Sep 27, 2003
LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE AT 35MPH AFTER HITTING MINOR CHUCKHOLE. UPON IMPACT WITH CHUCKHOLE, I HEARD LOUD POP AND NOISE UNDER VEHICLE. AGAIN I STRESS THAT THIS WAS A VERY MINOR CHUCKHOLE. THE LEAF SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE IN SOME MANOR.
Suspension, Sep 25, 2003
2001 DURANGO, 52000.00 MILES HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $587.00
Suspension, Sep 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE SO BAD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *PH THE SERVICE DEALER (G&G TIRE) WARNED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT WAS WORN THEN THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER WHO ACTUALLY REPLACED THE PART. *SCC *JB
Suspension, Sep 17, 2003
BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Suspension, Sep 12, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND THE FASTER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING THE HARDER IT PULLS. *PH *TS
Suspension, Sep 11, 2003
RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING BROKEN AT REAR EYE WHERE SHACKLE BOLT GOES THROUGH. NO ABUSIVE ACTION WHICH SHOULD HAVE CAUSED BREAKAGE.
Suspension, Sep 11, 2003
PREMATURE UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE ON 2001 DODGE DURANGO AT APPROX 25,000 MILES. I AM A CERTIFIED MASTER SCHOOL BUS TECH AND BECAME AWARE THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION AFTER READING A TRADE MAGAZINE. I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS. THANK GOODNESS IT MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE CAUSING ME TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION AND FIND THE PROBLEM. I CAN SEE WHERE THIS FAILURE COULD BE CATASTROPHIC TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE WARNING SIGNS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PROPERLY AND HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. HOWEVER, I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BALL JOINTS AND THEY SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR CAUSE OF FAILURE SO A DESIGN / MANUFACTURING UPGRADE CAN BE IMPLEMENTED. A RECALL PROBABLY WOULD BE IN ORDER. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN UNFAIR EXPENSE FOR VEHICLE OWNERS WHO'S WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED, BUT A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL.