Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH the vehicle inadvertently stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The contact replaced the battery, fuel pump, shocks, ball joints, and disc brakes, and front rotors however, the failure recurred. The local mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
I was just driving then out of nowhere. No warning No lights inmitted on dash no idea the engine will shut off. Replace alternator, Battery,Starter,3 PCM,still no luck. Noticed that PCM could have been the so that's why I went through 3 of em. New ,Use ,and Refurbish one. The dealership mechanic noticed that PCM would shut off and henced (no bus) would illuminate. Happened quite often scary part is that no warning of any source would appear on freeway residential anywhere. Engine will shut off while driving.
One morning I was taking my 9-year-old daughter to school and our truck just stalled while I was driving. Thank Allah that there was no heavy traffic and no one got hurt. That incident has my daughter scared. I took it to the mechanic they read the diagnostic fixed what codes came up and still my truck is not operating properly. The truck still stalls while driving the mechanic has informed me. I have had my IAC, MAP sensor, TPS, ignition coil, distributor, and canister purge valve replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. While driving 45 MPH, the front driver side of the vehicle lowered to the ground and smoke began to emit from the vehicle. In addition, the front upper and lower ball joints bent inward and needed to be replaced. On two separate occasions, the radiator failed to operate and caused the cooling system to fail. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the wheel hub bearing, front upper and lower ball joints, and cold air intake system were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 04V596000 (suspension), 06e024000 (engine and engine cooling) or 08e064000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began driving roughly and smoke appeared under the hood. The brakes stiffened when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact eased off the brakes, but they failed completely. More smoke appeared under the hood. The contact attempted to pull the vehicle over, but lost control. She heard two snapping noises under the hood. She applied the emergency brake, which stopped the vehicle. The passenger opened the hood and noticed flames in the engine. They called the fire department and a report was filed. The engine fire spread to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A few minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no injuries. Prior to the fire, repairs had been made to the engine because it would stall and overheat. …
I purchased a 2000 Dodge Durango used at 147K miles in November 2014. By March 2015, it turned off randomly while I was driving, multiple times over the course of 6 months. The speed didn't matter. After seeing 2 mechanics, they sent me to an electrical specialist who determined it was my PCM. I replaced it 3 times, and the second one sent to me had holes drilled in it then filled with silicone. That one worked the least. Apparently, the PCM was replaced once before I purchased it. When I got the third one in, it seemed to correct the issue. How is the engine shutting off randomly not a recall issue? What if it shut off while I was driving down the highway at 65mph? What if there was no good place to pull over, and with no power steering I might add? I had my kid in the car with me most of the time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after disabling the PCM wires. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on numerous occasions. The crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, and oxygen sensor were replaced at different times. In addition, the other components replaced were the distributor cap, ignition coil, and ECM relay. The failure persisted after each repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I had a 2000 Dodge Durango and after driving for about 15 minutes I turned on the air and a sulfur like smell came through the air system. After pulling over and cutting the car off, flames came from under the hood. The car burst into flames and burned completely up. Nothing was left but the metal frame. My insurance company couldn't give me any insight as to why this happened. I had about 133,000 miles on it. I wish I knew about this site before I lost my vehicle. I would've insisted that the dealership thoroughly check the car out before I ended up without a vehicle for 2 months.
Check gauges light came on with no warning. All gauges were normal. A loud rattling sound was followed by the oil pressure dropping to zero and the engine failed. Vehicle has been towed to wiesner Dodge in rosenberg, texas. Dealer claimed sludge in the oil caused the failure. I have regular documented oil change receipts. Payment of repair (est. $6000) is pending meeting with warranty adjuster. How can our federally funded agencies ignore the vast multitude of complaints on this problem without investigating?????
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds, the vehicle accelerated and decelerated independently. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mat sensor, cam sensor, spark plugs, and multiple parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Engine complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 156 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Dodge Durango, 15% of the model year's 1,075 complaints. The component named most often is engine (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Durango engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Dodge Durango, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Durango engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 13 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.