VehicleVerdict

2001 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 964 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Durango year — the 2001 model ranks #9 of 29 Durango years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 84 injuries in total across these filings.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 346 reports (36% of the total).

964

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

5

Investigations

82

Crash-involved

25

Fires reported

84

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension34636%
Transmission11412%
Electrical System9810%
Engine697%
Brakes596%
Steering535%
Airbags445%
Seats293%
Visibility & Wipers273%
Lighting212%
Other202%
Speed Control202%
Tires & Wheels192%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)121%
Seat Belts101%
Latches & Locks81%
Fuel System81%
Body & Structure71%

Does the 2001 Dodge Durango have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E064000SuspensionOctober 20, 2008 · 2,805 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

07V555000TransmissionDecember 4, 2007 · 576,418 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

06V339000Electrical SystemSeptember 7, 2006 · 35,103 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

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.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

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

04V596000SuspensionDecember 21, 2004 · 592,707 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

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.

01V077000TransmissionMarch 7, 2001 · 85,400 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

00V366000Child SeatNovember 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy

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

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

DT: THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND FRONT END WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES SINCE MAY 2005. WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE, THEN IT VEERED TO THE LEFT. THIS RESULTED IN AN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 29, 2005 · crash

CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WHILE EASING OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND WENT BACKWARD CAUSING THE DRIVER DOOR TO HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE FACE AND THE CONSUMER TO FALL OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHOWN WAS DRIVE NOT REVERSE. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 7, 2001 · crash

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AN 18 WHEELER CAME TOWARD HER LANE. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES TO AVOID THE 18 WHEELER AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED AND FLIPPED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE RUSHED TO A HOSPITAL,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 26, 2003 · crash

THE OTHER DRIVER WAS AT A STOP AND I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50 AND 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE OTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT INFRONT OF ME FROM MY LEFT TO RIGHT. AS WE IMPACTED MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN MY CAR. I STRUCK HIM WITH SUCH FORCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2014 · crash

ABS BRAKING FAILURE - THE BRAKES SLOWED THE CAR FROM 40 TO ABOUT 15 MPH. THEN THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN ANYMORE EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY. ABS ENGAGED ONCE AND THEN RELEASED AND BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AGAIN. NO SKID MARKS, JUST CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT CAUSING DAMAGE TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 29, 2005 · crash

2001 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 2001 Dodge Durango reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 964 complaints put the 2001 model at #9 of 29 Durango years. It is one of the Durango years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (346 complaints), transmission (114 complaints), electrical system (98 complaints).

Does the 2001 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Dodge Durango under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Durango years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Durango years to avoid are 1999, 2005, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2014, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2002, 2018, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Durango years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.