KnownCarProblems2001 Dodge Durango Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 665 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Durango, most often about the suspension (40% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles). It is 7th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2001 Dodge Durango problems
Suspension
265 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Have a 2001 Durango with 48,000 miles. Having ball joint problems as well. Checked them and appear worn. Will replace them before something bad happens. Should last a lot longer than 48,000.
Consumer brought vehicle in for routine oil change service. Mechanic diagnosed excessive wear of the front suspension ball joints. Failure of joints may result in wheel separation.
Transmission
106 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, clutch assembly.
2001 Dodge Durango seat belts won't stayed latched in back seats,motor gives itself gas while driving or parked,transmission will not be in any gear when you've put it in drive and then it will jerk and finally go and it has also changed gears while driving I called Dodge and they said that it's all ready been taken…
Failed transmission on 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving the transmission failed without warning. The consumer indicated that all regular maintenance was performed on the vehicle and felt that this failure should not have occurred. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist who installed a reconditioned…
Electrical
91 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel, alternator/generator/regulator.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The headlights, wipers, and power door locks malfunctioned intermittently. After the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the headlights, wipers and power door locks would function properly; however, the interior lights would flicker. The dealer stated that the central timer…
Whenever the contact drives the vehicle he noticed that the steering wheel clicks. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership, and the contact did not notice any differecnes beforehand. The current and failure mileage is 88000. Bml. Updated 10/06/09. The inermediate steeering shaft and tie rods were…
Engine
68 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The check engine light came on. Consumer took the vehicle in to be checked and emission flow sensor was replaced, however, the check engine light was still on.
Our 2001 Dodge Durango made a strange knocking noise in the engine and suddenly lost oil pressure. The engine then seized up and we are now told we need a new engine in the vehicle. We were told by the dealership that the cause was excessive sludge in the engine. We have done regular oil changes and routine…
Brakes
54 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, power assist.
My 2001 Durango has had the rotors go bad and the ball joints (both of which cost me money). The vehicle has 55000 miles on it and is driven 95% of the time on the interstate system. Although I like the vehicle, I think the mft should pay for the replacement. I also, think it is time for a recall. I am hard pressed to…
At 55,000 miles I had to replace my rack and pinion and ball joints. I replaced my brake pads and rotors last year and have just been told that I need to replace them again. My vehicle is used for local highway driving.
Steering
48 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, linkages, hydraulic power assist, column.
The rack assembly and tie rod were wearing prematurely. As a result the vehicle's tires wobbled uncontrollably. The left inner tie rod end was bad and 1/4 play caused the vehicle to wonder all over the road. At different speeds, the left wheel would shake badly. The rack assembly was replaced to correct the problem.
At 55,000 miles I had to replace my rack and pinion and ball joints. I replaced my brake pads and rotors last year and have just been told that I need to replace them again. My vehicle is used for local highway driving.
Air bags
43 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The clock spring has failed in my 2001 Dodge Durango 4WD. The air bag light stays on, the steering wheel radio controls are inoperable, the cruise control is inoperable, and the horn is inoperable. Sounds like the same issue that was a recall on the minivans yet local dealers want me to pay for the repair.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The contact was driving 40 MPH with the cruise control activated when the air bag warning lamp illuminated, the horn became inoperable and the cruise control would not deactivate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the clock spring would need to be replaced.…
Seats
29 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly, mid/rear assembly.
Multiple replacement needed of upper & lower ball joints, sway bar, currently experiencing front end bed spring noise - sounds like junk, told the front lower ball joint is lose again. Also the heating elements in the front driver;s seat went out -cost to repair over 700.00! Vehicle is a 2001 Dodge Durango 4 x 4. Only…
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the front driver side power seat independently shifted forward in a rocking motion whenever coming to a complete stop. The seat would reset to the correct position after resuming normal operation. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Dodge Durango recalls
Transmission: column shift
Risk: Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: This may allow development of a high resistive short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Vehicle under-seat fire
Summary
Daimlerchrylser corporation (dcc) will recall 35,103 my 2001-2003 dodge durango vehicles equipped with front bench seats (recall # 06v339, see defect report for details).the subject vehicles are equipped with either front bucket seats or a 40-20-40 split front bench seat.vehicles equipped with front bench seat contain an uncapped, unused connector located under the front edge of the seat.the connector provides power to the center console power outlet for vehicles with bucket seats, but it is unused in vehicles equipped with bench seats.the connector is located rearward of the cup holder on the tunnel for vehicles equipped with the bench seat.this connector contains a fused b+ circuit wire (t
Fire under the driver's seat
Summary
Odi is aware of 10 reports alleging that a fire originates underneath the driver's seat.six of thefires occurred while the vehicle was parked with the ignition switch turned off (key not in the ignition).the subject vehicles are equipped with manual seats. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis, (ea06-011), to allow further investigation of the issue.
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.
Questions about the 2001 Dodge Durango
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Durango?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (265 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); transmission (106 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles); electrical (91 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Durango have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 4, 2007 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Dodge Durango?
- It is 7th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints, with 665 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.