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, 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
Steering, Oct 27, 2003, crash
MY CAR SUSPENSION HAS BEEN HORRIFYING SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT NEW. ONE DAY I WAS IN MY GARAGE GOING NO MORE THAN 5-8 MILES AN HOUR AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF AND CAUSED TONS OF DAMAGES TO THE CAR. IT WENT THROUGH INSURANCE AND INSURANCE SHOULD GET REIMBURSED THROUGH CHRYSLER,AS THIS IS A DEFECT. I WAS WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR OVER 30 DAYS. IT COST ME OVER $1000 BECAUSE OF THAT ON TOP OF THE DEDUCTIBLE. MY COMPANY LEASES THE CAR AND WE WANT OUT OF THE LEASE AS THE SUSPENSION IS ACTING UP AGAIN. DODGE DEALERSHIP HAS DONE EVERYTHING TO MAKE A CHARADE OF THIS AND NOT ADMIT ANY WRONG. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE.*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
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 14, 2003
OIL PRESSURE DROPPED AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. CHRYSLER WOULD NOT RELEASE OIL PUMP SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER (THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER??????). THE TOLD US THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. IT COST $6000.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACE. NOW THE ENGINE OVERHEATS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES ABOVE 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE. ONE DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW RADIATOR (530.00) AND THE OTHER DEALER (THE ONE WHO DID THE ENGINE WORK) CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, ENGINE RPM DROPS AND VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS OUT COMPLETELY FOR A FEW SECONDS (AT LEASE 40 SECONDS OR MORE ON EACH OCCURRENCE) WITHOUT ANY WARNING INDICATIONS (NO WARNING LIGHTS BEING ON). PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND COASTING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY WHILE PULSING (REPPING) THE GAS PEDDLE, ENGINE RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN. ALMOST GOT INTO A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAY!!! *LA
Power train, Oct 6, 2003
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I JUST TURNED 40,000 MILES. I FELT A SLIGHT PAUSE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN STARTING OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER. THEY GAVE ME THE STANDARD ANSWER. "3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES." WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE DURANGO TRANSMISSIONS. *JB
Power train, Oct 1, 2003
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE OUT OF GEAR DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *AK
Air bags, Oct 1, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *NLM
Visibility, Seat belts, Sep 29, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE INTEGRATED SEATS. CHILDREN COULD NOT UN LOCK THE LATCHES ON THE SEATS. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WENT BAD ON A STORMY DAY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.*AK
Power train, Sep 29, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY, AND MAKES LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER WON'T TAKE VEHICLE ANY MORE TO DEALER SINCE HE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 12, 2003
OWNER SAYS THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS A DELAY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 12, 2003
PRIOR TO 30,000 MILES THE 2001 DODGE DURANGO BEGAN TO SHAKE IN THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKES PADS WERE LIKE NEW BUT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED SIGNIFICANTLY AND COULD NOT BE CUT DOWN TO STOP THE SHAKE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE HEAT NOT BEING ABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THE BRAKES IN THE DURANGO. THIS IS OUR SECOND DURANGO AND WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE SUCH A PROBLEM WITH THE FIRST ONE. BY READING ARTICLES AND COMPLAINTS BY OTHER DODGE DURANGO AND DAKOTA OWNERS, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS REPAIR/SERVICE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE PROBLEM RESIDES WITH DEFECTIVE ROTORS PUT ON THESE VEHICLES AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE UNSAFE NATURE IN WHICH THESE BRAKES SYSTEMS ARE WEARING. *PH
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
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2003
A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM *SCC *JB
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.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 4, 2003
THE BRAKES ARE INEFFECTIVE WHEN GOING FROM LIGHT BRAKING TO HEAVY BRAKING FOR A PANIC STOP WITHOUT FULLY RELEASING THE PEDAL FIRST. THE BRAKES WILL NOT GRAB ENOUGH FOR THE ABS TO ENGAGE AND GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY HAVE GLAZED OVER, DESPITE FULL BODY WEIGHT ON BREAK PEDAL. THE FRONT PADS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE, THE ROTORS TURNED AND BRAKE FLUID BLEED. THE CONDITION CAN BE REPEATED WITH BOTH COLD AND HOT BRAKES BY SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN FROM 60 MPH TO 40 MPH IN 4-5 SECONDS THEN, WITHOUT RELEASING THE PEDAL, IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPT A FULL STOP. SYMPTOM WAS DEMONSTRATED FOR DODGE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN. THEY CONTACTED DODGE STAR FOR SUPPORT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO PRESSURE EQUALIZATION IN THE MASTER CYLINDER . I HAVE NOTIFIED DAIMLERCHRYSLER (FILE # 11617536) OF MY CONCERN AND AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO BRING LARGER ATTENTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY CONDITION. CONSIDERING THIS ENGINEERING DESIGN, HOW SAFE IS THIS 2.5 TON VEHICLE WHEN FULLY LOADED TO 6400 GVWR OR WHEN TOWING?*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 4, 2003
THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 2001 DURANGO CONSISTENTLY HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER TWO CHANGES ON THE PADS. MY DURANGO ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I KEEP IT UP TO DATE ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURE. THE PAINT JOB ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS BRAND NEW HAS FADED NEAR THE FENDER WALLS AND THE DOOR JAMS. I LOVE THIS VEHICLE BUT AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN A VEHICLE; OVERALL APPEARANCE.*AK