Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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 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. …
I was having problems with my 2001 Durango coming to a complete stop when applying the brakes at certain times. I was told by the dealership to replace the brake pads, which I did. The next day, the drivers front wheel started smoking, assuming it was due to the new pads, the truck continued to be driven. A day or two later, it got so bad that the left side caliper seized up and got so hot it started a fire. I then had complete replacement of front roters, calipers and pads. About 6 months later the left side caliper started hanging up and smoking. The rotor, caliper and pads were inspected and found to be in working order. The rotors and pads were cleaned and test driven applying the brakes very hard. After that, things seemed to be working fine. It is now about 6 months later and about a year after the original incident and the left caliper is hanging up again. …
When the brakes are applied quickly and hard, pedal will only go half way as if something is blocking them and the brakes did not grab. They seemed to glide or slide as if glazed no matter how much pressure is applied. However when you take your foot off of the brakes and press them again,the brakes will grab hard causing the wheels to lock up. This has happened a couple of times with an accident resulting one time. No injuries but a lot of messed up nerves as my family was with me. After some research and the ability to repeat on command, I've decided to file a complaint in hopes that Dodge will issue some sort of recall for a thorough inspection and repair. This is very dangerous and makes the Durango a danger to drive knowing I May or May not lock up the brakes causing loss of control even though I have ABS and anti-skid differential. Please investigate and reply. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While in park and attempting to turn off the vehicle, a noise emitted from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the ABS motor remained on. The contact unplugged the harness that was connected to the module in order to shut the motor off. In addition, while the vehicle was in park, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,470.
ABS braking failure - the brakes slowed the car from 40 to about 15 MPH. Then the car did not slow down anymore even with the brake pedal depressed all the way. ABS engaged once and then released and brakes would not engage again. No skid marks, just crashed into the car in front causing damage to both vehicles. This was a normal braking situation with plenty of distance to stop.
The pin that holds the brake peddle arm to the master cylinder broke off causing me to slam into the driver in front of me. Causing $3,483.77 damages to my car and about $1,000 to the other vehicle. I was very lucky that no one was injured or killed in the accident had this happened on the highway at speed.
Hello, I am the owner of a 2001 Dodge Durango slt 4x4 which I purchased new in February of 2001. It now has 63,000 miles on it and I have been very good about maintaining this vehicle. On 1-15-06 as I approached an intersection that is at the bottom of a slight downhill grade I was traveling about 30-35 MPH. As I went to apply my brakes the brake pedal immediately went soft because of the anti-lock brakes activating. The pavement was dry and I did not initially hit the brakes any harder than normal. I kept firm pressure on the brake pedal thinking that the brakes would come back as they have in the past during similar situations. However this time the brakes never came back and I ended up rear-ending the vehicle stopped at the intersection. I had plenty of time to stop and the pavement was dry so. …
The brakes are ineffective when going from light braking to heavy braking for a panic stop without fully releasing the pedal first. The brakes will not grab enough for the ABS to engage and give the impression that they have glazed over, despite full body weight on break pedal. The front pads have been changed twice, the rotors turned and brake fluid bleed. The condition can be repeated with both cold and hot brakes by slowing the vehicle down from 60 MPH to 40 MPH in 4-5 seconds then, without releasing the pedal, immediately attempt a full stop. Symptom was demonstrated for Dodge dealer service technician. They contacted Dodge star for support and was informed that this is a normal operating characteristic of the braking system due to pressure equalization in the master cylinder . …
Brake complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Dodge Durango, 8% of the model year's 665 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Durango brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 Dodge Durango, though it has 5 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 2001 Dodge Durango brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes 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.