Carlexica

2001 Dodge Durango: problems, recalls and reliability

7 recalls and 665 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (35% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008

7
recalls
665
owner complaints
20
fire reports
56,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Weak spot: suspension (35%)20 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 665 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)35% · 231 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)13% · 87 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)10% · 68 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)7% · 45 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)6% · 37 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5% · 33 complaints
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN); but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly shifted out of park(P). After several attempts, the gear shift lever was shifted to park(P) and remained in park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2026
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle; an abnormal clanking sound was coming from the vehicle. An independent mechanic was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was most likely related to a defective rod bearing. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.Owner report · Engine · Aug 2023
The entire underneath and some panels of the vehicle are completely rusted to the point that the vehicle cannot be safely driven. The vehicle has never been in an ocean front town. Has been in Frankfurt, Germany and Atchison, Kansas.Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
In the past year my entire electrical system has gone haywire. First my passengers all lost their ability to use window controls, only the driver has control, but every once in a while it will work, pretty random. Then my left headlight went out. Not the bulb, the entire headlamp stopped working, and if I switch to my high beams the right one won't work. And now my read passenger break light won't come on. Also after I turn off my car completely, once in a while about 30 seconds later the radio will come back on by itself! We cannot figure out how to fix any of it. We've tried everything! All of this happens while car is in motion, parked and stationaryOwner report · Electrical System · Feb 2020
As I am driving my blinkers and radio stopped working randomly . Causing safety issues while on the road . This happens while in motion and on the roadOwner report · Structure · Jul 2019
2001 dodge durango. Consumer writes in regards to ball joint failure during an auto accident. *ld the consumer requested information concerning recalled ball joint failure that may have been the cause of an accident.*jsOwner report · Suspension · Aug 2018
My whole tire came off, literally separated from axle.. Does not pick up speed.. Been in the shop several times. And shakes. I had my 2 year old grandson with me when this happened coming out of drive thru.. After I paid the truck off it was downhill from there.Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge durango. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle made an unusual noise when making a turn and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 195,922.Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
I purchaced a 2001 d0dge durango used about a mpnth ago and already I was driving to town and the driver side wheel felt like it was wobling and had a roar. Pulled over didnt see anything , so went on home took it to gateway and was told it was the ball joint. Now im paying payment on a vehicle I cant drive.Owner report · Steering · Oct 2017
Due to my current location, there is no dealership in the middle east that can perform the required maintenance to complete the recall. Once I am located back in conus, I'll be able to get the vehicle to the manafacturer to have them complete the recall.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2017

When filing, owners marked a crash in 60 of these complaints and injuries in 55 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 7 campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM06V339000 · Sep 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.

Remedy: 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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB08E064000 · Oct 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.

Remedy: 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.

CHILD SEAT00V366000 · Nov 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.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING06E024000 · Mar 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.

Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT01V077000 · Mar 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.

Remedy: 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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT07V555000 · Dec 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.

Remedy: 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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT04V596000 · Dec 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.

Remedy: 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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive type4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 · 4x2

How other years compare

Check your exact Durango by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2001 Dodge Durango reliable?

NHTSA has 665 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Dodge Durango. The most complained-about area is suspension (35% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Durango problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,000 miles or less.

Does the 2001 Dodge Durango have open recalls?

7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.