Most common 2001 Dodge Durango problems
Share of the 665 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Durango complaints by model year
Best Durango years: 2020, 2024, 2022. Years to avoid: 1999, 2005, 2000, 1998. Compare all years →
2001 Dodge Durango recalls (5)
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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, including diagrams, for properly…
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2001 Dodge Durango:
Fire under the driver's seat
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.
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
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.
Safety belt cinching latch plate
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.
Vehicle under-seat fire
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…
Upper ball joint separation
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.
What 2001 Dodge Durango owners say
Suspension all 265 →
I purchased the vehicle on 7/11/16 and the same day the tire blew due to the upper ball joint which does have a recall. Mine was completely disintegrated, but supposedly the recall was closed as it was to have been serviced already. Either it wasn't serviced or there is still an issue. I contacted NHTSA and they put me through to Dodge who spoke with me about there only being one open recall on it and I told her about the ball joint and she told me they would cover the repair and tow and sent a tow truck and towed it to motor village but did not tell them that they would be covering the ball joint work so they told me to have Dodge contact them in the morning. When I did contact Dodge, the first rep couldn't get through and so she opened a case. …
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. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 106 →
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN); but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly shifted out of park(P). After several attempts, the gear shift lever was shifted to park(P) and remained in park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Car idles fast when in park. RPM needles also reacts. When driving car appears as if transmission isn't working. Upon acceleration the car appears as if it's about to stop. When it does accelerate it reacts very sluggish.. Thought tranny was bad, but was informed tranny. Took in for a tune-up, was told only spark plugs May need replaced. Did online research to discover several others having same trouble. On-line feedback suggested possible tps problem or needed to replace idle speed control module. My husband and I are both on fixed incomes and don't have money to pay for "it could be". We need a definite answer to our trouble so we can properly repair it. We use this vehicle to transport our grandkids in as well as use it for vacations. Please help!!! We need an answer asap.
Electrical system all 91 →
This vehicle and just about every other Durango and similar make Dodge from 2001 to 2005 has a blower relay and harness under the dash that overheats. It melts the plastic causes smoke in the vehicle and can cause a fire. Chrysler has a fix for it for about $100.00 just for the part not including labor which is about 2 hours. When it happened to me the relay had fallen out of its place in the blower and landed on my wife's burning her foot. Why should the consumer have to pay for a defect that can cause injury or if someone panics and accident there has to be thousands and thousands of these vehicles with the same problem. I decided to look in the junk yards for this problem and turns out every vehicle in this year range has the exact problem.not a couple every one of them.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While parked in the driveway with the engine shut off, the vehicle began to smoke. The contact extinguished the fire and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. She discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V339000 (electrical system). The dealer installed a cap to prevent additional fluid from contaminating the connector, which caused the fire. Almost one year later, the failure recurred. The contact also experienced failures with the head gaskets. While the vehicle was at a repair shop, the mechanic checked the fluids with the engine running. The mechanic opened the driver's door and observed a large amount of smoke and flames inside the passenger compartment. After the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that the cause of the failure was the same plug that set the driver's seat on fire a year earlier. …
2001 Dodge Durango engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Durango a good car?
Based on 665 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Durango rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Durango at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Dodge Durango?
The suspension — 265 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm › upper ball joint. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (106) and electrical system (91).
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Durango have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2001 Dodge Durango, the most recent from December 4, 2007 (column shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Durango?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2024 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2005, 2000 and 1998. See the full Dodge Durango years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Durango problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.