KnownCarProblems2000 Dodge Durango Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,075 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Durango, most often about the suspension (47% of complaints, typically around 49,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Durango model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2000 Dodge Durango problems
Suspension
507 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
Front left axel collapsed while driving with my 3 children. Car lost control due to lack of steering ability. Right front axel needed to be replaced 5 months later
Excessive tire wear on 2000 Dodge Durango. New front tires cupped after 5000 miles. Could this be related to a potential defect currently under investigation per a 7/22/03 news release?.
Engine
156 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Driving my 2000 Dodge Durango 4x4 down the highway when oil pressure went to 0psi. By the time I managed to get over 4 lanes of traffic a knocking noise had begun. Had it towed to certified mechanic that I trust, have had several problems with dealing with the dealership, and he told me that I had a spun main bearing…
Cracked cylinder heads. I have been waiting for my vehicle to be fixed @ the dealership for 2 weeks now. They have informed me that they have no eta on the cylinder heads because they are on a nation wide back order. So that indicates there is a nation wide problem with Dodge durangos and their cylinder heads. I feel…
Transmission
120 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
2000 - Dodge Durango - w/ 57,364 miles required upper ball joint (l) repair of $126,65. Rear universal joint axle and ban bushings $194.26. He vehicle rumbled and vibrated similiar to driving on a washboard.
2000 Dodge Durango. Both front ball joints and right front wheel bearing and u joint have all had to be replaced. This is owned by our business, myers insurance, inc. Mileage was 57898 work on u joint was done 11-24-03 at roy's Dodge
Steering
83 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, linkages, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist system.
Steering makes popping noises when turning right or left. Steering has begun to freeze when turn to the right.mostly occurs on interstate on/off ramps.
While driving, the consumer heard noises coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and tr mechanic determined that both upper ball joints failed. There was no warning. The upper ball joint separated under normal conditions. There was damage in the left front…
Brakes
83 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, brake fluid low warning, antilock.
Driving the Durango down our hill. Brakes were lost. Immediately after accident I check brake fluid, it was full. Then check brake pedal, it did go to floor with no effect by pumping the brakes. Durango totaled as was the other car that hit my wife and kids. No serious injury occurred. Complete brake job 8 months…
Approximately 20 occurrences of anti-lock brake failure in hard braking situations, resulting in one accident in 2002. As the brakes are applied, they will cut out and a humming noise can be heard from the motor/front of the vehicle. Sometimes the braking will kick back on after a moment or two, other times the brake…
Electrical
56 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator, ignition.
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango with 118k and with out warning I lose all power gas brakes steering etc and for me to get the car started again I have to pop the hood and wiggle the middle PCM harness ( which is a white connector) and then im able to start my car again. This also once cause me to go bounce off a wall in a…
Dodge Durango 2000 model intermittent turn signal failure..started happening just a few times now happens every time we drive..turn signals stop functioning have replaces the relay and bulbs and still no fix...there are many complaints online but no remedy.
Air bags
51 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The clock spring malfunctioned. As a result, radio inside of the steering wheel and the cruise control failed intermittently. A recall was issued for the clock spring, however this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
The cruise control and horn quit working. I was checking the internet to see what could be wrong with it. I found the recall for replacing the clockspring in the steering wheel and this could cause my problems plus cause my air bag to not deploy in an accident. I contacted the dealer and was told my # (*)was not…
Doors and locks
42 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors, tailgate, hatchback/liftgate.
2000 Dodge Durango. The drivers side back door lock motor broke. The vehicle had approx. 57,000 miles on it. At 60,000 miles the front door will not lock at all. This is a huge problem. Can't leave anything in the vehicle. It could get stolen and worst of all I could get car jacked because the door won't lock. This is…
2000 Dodge Durango. The front door will not lock at all. It can't even be locked manually or with the key. The back drivers side door lock does not work. The motor quit working. This is not only dangerous, but the vehicle could be stolen or the contents. This is a problem with durangos. There are many complaint sights…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Dodge Durango recalls
Suspension: upper ball joint
Risk: Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. 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.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th VIN position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th VIN position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th VIN position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Upper ball joint separation
Summary
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no. 04v-596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of agency resources does no
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Summary
In july 2003, odi opened pe03-032 based on 4 consumer complaints alleging separation of an upper ball joint.complaints alleged an unexpected collapse in the front end and in some occasions the ball joint separation is alleged to have resulted in the wheel, brake rotor, and steering knuckle separating from the vehicle.since opening the pe, odi has received 23 additional complaints related to ball joint separation. Daimlerchrysler has identified a wearout concern in the subject ball joints that is believed to occur after water intrusion evacuates the joint lubricant.daimlerchrysler does not believe the condition poses an unreasonable risk to safety because the suspension design in the subject
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Steering wheel/shaft spline attachment
Summary
This pe was opened based on odi's receipt of one complaint of steering wheel separation on the subject vehicles.allegedly (that is, according to the repairing facility's service manager) the hub nut was never installed on the shaft spline.although the driver lost control of the vehicle, he/she was able to stop without impacting anything.based on our investigation and the manufacturer's response, odi is closing this investigation because the single known complaint appears to be an isolated incident.further, chrysler has no other warranty claims and has not issued any service bulletins.in summary, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency reso
Questions about the 2000 Dodge Durango
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Durango?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (507 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles); engine (156 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); transmission (120 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Durango have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 21, 2004 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Dodge Durango?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Durango model year since 2000, with 1,075 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.