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
665 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Mar 30, 2004
UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED AT 35000 MILES. *AK
Suspension, Mar 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER HIT A POT HOLE AND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE POPPED OFF DUE TO A BROKEN UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT.*AK
Suspension, Mar 29, 2004
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLAIM REGARDING MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO 4X4. I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY DURANGO. BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SO WORN OUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT GO DOWN THE HIGHWAY STRAIGHT. THE BALL JOINTS WERE BOTH LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE SINCE HAD THEM REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THIS IS PREMATURE WEAR AND IS A FAULTY DESIGN. I HAVE SEEN THE INVESTIGATION ON TV AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. IT HAS AFFECTED ALOT OF VEHICLES FROM 1998-2003, WHY HAS NO ONE FORCED A RECALL YET? THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE FRONT WHEELS FLY OFF, OR YOU CANT KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DODGE SHOULD BE FORCED TO CORRECT IT IMMEDIATLY.*AK
Suspension, Mar 26, 2004
151 OLD FARM RD. LEOMINSTER, MA 01453 MARCH 26, 2004 DAIMLER-CHRYSLER CORPORATION PO BOX 610207 PORT HURON, MI 48061-0207 DEAR SIRS: MY FATHER ALWAYS TOLD ME, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN LOOKING FOR A MID-SIZE SUV WITH A THIRD ROW I WAS TEMPTED BY THE DODGE DURANGO. HOWEVER, I KEPT HEARING MY FATHERS VOICE, NEVER BUY&.. BUT I THOUGHT, THAT WAS THE 1950S. YOU DONT SEE BLUE SMOKE POURING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE OF CHRYSLER PRODUCTS ANYMORE. SURELY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHRYSLER PRODUCTS CAN COMPETE WITH ANYTHING ON THE MARKET. RIGHT? SO I RELENTED AND BOUGHT MY FIRST CHRYSLER PRODUCTA WELL-STYLED DODGE DURANGO. I WOULD PROVE MY FATHER WRONG. WELL-----? AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES AND A $2,000 REPAIR BILL I AM NOW TELLING MY SONS, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. WHAT HAPPENED? AT 60,000 MILES I TOOK MY DURANGO INTO MY DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND A STATE INSPECTION. PLEASE TRY TO IMAGINE MY SHOCK WHEN I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMING ME THAT THE BALL JOINTS ON MY CAR WERE SO DANGEROUSLY WORN, THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IF I DID NOT GET IT REPAIRED THEY WOULD HAVE TO RED-FLAG THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW REALLY, WHO WOULD WANT TO DRIVE A CAR THAT UNSAFE? I WAS RELIEVED THAT THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED IT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTED A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. I HAD IT FIXED. TOTALLY WORN OUT BALL JOINTS AT ONLY 60,000 MILES? AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD MY FATHERS VOICE AGAIN, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. SINCERELY, IAN BOTHWELL CC: NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 24, 2004
THE VEHICLE'S ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THEM EVERY 8,000 MILES THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Suspension, Mar 24, 2004
THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. THE OWNER HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS ONCE AND NOW THEY NEED REPLACING AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Suspension, Mar 24, 2004
I SAW ON T.V. THAT THE DODGE DURANGO'S WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT. MY DEALER, NETHAWAY'S, CHECKED THE BALL JOINT'S ON MY VEHICLE AND THEY ARE ABNORMALLY WORN FOR A VEHICLE WITH 63125 MILES. I INFORMED DODGE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE IN CORRECTING THE SAME. *JB
Suspension, Mar 22, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THE TIRES ARE WEARING OUT UNEVENLY, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL THE BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK
Suspension, Mar 17, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT TO INSPECT IT, AND NOTICED THE RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS FAILED.*AK
Power train, Mar 17, 2004
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE WHILE SHIFTING THE GEARS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *MR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 16, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED OIL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE OIL TRAP AND THE PROBLEM CLEARED. *AK
Suspension, Mar 16, 2004
PREMATURE WEAR ON BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS. RIGHT SIDE UPPER AND LOWER WORE PREMATURELY. LEFT UPPER WORE PREMATURELY. SEALS WERE INTACT. VEHICLE HAS 40K MILES. DODGE DURANGO 2001. *JB
Suspension, Mar 11, 2004
FRONT END SHOOK AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THIS WAS DUE TO THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT BEING WORN OUT. THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, PER THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Suspension, Mar 10, 2004
CONSUMER HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRE REPAIRED. MECHANIC REPAIRED THE TIRE, AND DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
Power train, Mar 9, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE PRODUCES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. *AK
Suspension, Mar 8, 2004
AT 32120 MILES DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS, 10 MONTHS LATER, MECHANIC DETERMINED THE NEED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS AGAIN. *AK
Suspension, Mar 8, 2004
THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE MOSTLY OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. *AK
Suspension, Equipment, Mar 6, 2004
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. AFTER SEEING A REPORT ON THE BALL JOINTS ON TV I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED. GOOD THING I DID BECAUSE THE RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT BALL JOINT HAS SOME WEAR BUT WAS NOT REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *JB
Suspension, Mar 5, 2004
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. *AK
Suspension, Mar 5, 2004
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
Suspension, Mar 5, 2004
DURING A VEHICLE INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *AK
Suspension, Mar 5, 2004
WHEN EITHER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT THERE WOULD BE A GRINDING OR CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHEN BACKING UP OR GOING FORWARD. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT.*AK
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
Suspension, Mar 5, 2004
RT FRT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED @ 29,357 MILES ON 12/13/03. AS OF THIS DATE-3/4/04 LEFT FRT UPPER BALL JOINT IS FAILING & NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Suspension, Mar 4, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SAYS THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE. THE UPPER BALL WERE REPLACED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.