Total Complaints
963 filings
DODGE DURANGO · model year
963 NHTSA complaints, 82 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001DODGEDURANGO carries 963 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 82 crashes, 25 fires, 84 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 DURANGO is suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint with 168 filings, followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (89) and electrical system (64). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2001 DURANGO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
963 filings
Crashes Reported
82 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | 168 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 89 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 64 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 52 |
| SUSPENSION | 32 |
| AIR BAGS | 27 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 25 |
| SEATS | 22 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 19 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 19 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 16 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 15 |
| STEERING | 15 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 14 |
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
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 NOI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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 WHEE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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,
CHILD SEAT
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, INCLU
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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
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.
Mileage: 217,000
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.
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.
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.
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 STATIONARY
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LOCKS UP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS. WHY HAVE YOU NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND MADE THEM FIX THIS? GOOGLE IT AND YOU SEETHAT THIS IS ANN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 23 YEAR MODELS. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM, WHILE YOU SIT ON YOUR HANDS? DO YOU TAKE MONEY FROM THE AUTO MAKERS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY? THE REAREND (HOUSING, DIFFERENTIAL, BACKING PLATES, SHOES, DRUMS, BRKE HARDWARE AND PROPORTIONING VALVE HAVE ALL BEEN REPLCED AND THE SHOES STILL LOCKUP. YOU HAVE TO BACKUP AND HIT THE BRAKES HARD, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE IT "POPS" AND RELEASES. THE "POP IS A SURE SIGN THAT THE DESIGN IS FLAWED, CAUSING THE SHOES TO NOT RESEAT PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND YOU COME TO A FULL STOP. PLEASE DON'T TRY TO SAY YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT, WHEN IT IS GOOGLED BY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND KNOW ONE KNOWS WHAT ELSE TO DO. EVEN A FOOL WOULD KNOW THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. YOU ASK WHEN THIS H
Mileage: 151,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND FAILING TO STOP FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN MPH. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES ON HER CHEST AND HER ABDOMEN. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT NUMBER: Z-Z0 WAS FILED. THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED DID HAVE AIR BAGS DEPLOY BUT THERE WAS NO FURTHER INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. *LN THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR
Mileage: 230,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND FAILING TO STOP FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN MPH. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES ON HER CHEST AND HER ABDOMEN. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT NUMBER: Z-Z0 WAS FILED. THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED DID HAVE AIR BAGS DEPLOY BUT THERE WAS NO FURTHER INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. *LN THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR
Mileage: 230,000
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 ROAD
Mileage: 120,000
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 ROAD
Mileage: 120,000
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 ROAD
Mileage: 120,000
WHILE I LOVE MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO RT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS / SAFETY ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS. NUMBER ONE IS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK, WHIPLASH ETC. IN DOING MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL DO COSTS BETWEEN 600-800.00 WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE LINKS ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX YOURSELF FOR ABOUT 40.00 OROVOODMG A BETTER FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL NOT PROVIDE, BUT IT IS COMPLICATED AND VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS TO BE SAFE AND HAVE SAFE PASSENGERS! TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS INTO DODGE AND GET THIS PERMANENTLY FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. THERE ARE UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF DODGE DURANGO OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH DODGE CURRENTLY WILL NOT RECALL. THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE INCREDIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. SINCE DODGE RECALLED THESE TRUCKS FOR THE BALL JOINTS MA
Mileage: 192,000
WHILE I LOVE MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO RT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS / SAFETY ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS. NUMBER ONE IS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK, WHIPLASH ETC. IN DOING MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL DO COSTS BETWEEN 600-800.00 WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE LINKS ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX YOURSELF FOR ABOUT 40.00 OROVOODMG A BETTER FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL NOT PROVIDE, BUT IT IS COMPLICATED AND VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS TO BE SAFE AND HAVE SAFE PASSENGERS! TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS INTO DODGE AND GET THIS PERMANENTLY FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. THERE ARE UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF DODGE DURANGO OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH DODGE CURRENTLY WILL NOT RECALL. THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE INCREDIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. SINCE DODGE RECALLED THESE TRUCKS FOR THE BALL JOINTS MA
Mileage: 192,000
WHILE I LOVE MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO RT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS / SAFETY ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS. NUMBER ONE IS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK, WHIPLASH ETC. IN DOING MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL DO COSTS BETWEEN 600-800.00 WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE LINKS ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX YOURSELF FOR ABOUT 40.00 OROVOODMG A BETTER FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL NOT PROVIDE, BUT IT IS COMPLICATED AND VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS TO BE SAFE AND HAVE SAFE PASSENGERS! TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS INTO DODGE AND GET THIS PERMANENTLY FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. THERE ARE UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF DODGE DURANGO OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH DODGE CURRENTLY WILL NOT RECALL. THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE INCREDIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. SINCE DODGE RECALLED THESE TRUCKS FOR THE BALL JOINTS MA
Mileage: 192,000
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.*JS
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.
Mileage: 16,000
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.
Mileage: 16,000
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.
Mileage: 16,000
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.
Mileage: 195,922
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.
Mileage: 163,376
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIRE
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.