Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
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. …
When turning into a church parking lot for a wedding. The Durango was struck from behind (at about 40 MPH) and the driver seat broke and I was laid back unable to reach the brake pedal or steering wheel. The Durango traveled approx 20 feet before hitting a parked Jeep. The passenger and I both received injuries and currently under care. Dodge needs to do a recall on the faulty parts in the driver electric seats that are causing the rocking back and forth causing the mounting brackets to fail and brake. I have seen not posts of deaths occurring but it is just a matter of time before it does. We were very lucky.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger seats independently moved forward and backward while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (dependable Dodge, located at 21415 rosco blvd, canoga park, ca 91304) where the vehicle was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer stated that the seat track assembly was deteriorated. The vehicle was not repaired because the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8.
Tl* 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 air bag warning light illuminated and the air bag clock spring was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
I purchased this vehicle new December 2000. When driving approximately 30mph the driver and passenger seats move up and down motion, when car stops, the seats come at rest. The passenger seat is worse than drivers side. The air bag warning light dings & illuminates and then go back off..
I own a 2001 Dodge Durango with power seats. This is the second time this issue has occurred. The first time was repaired under warranty before the part completely failed. The second time the part completely failed and is currently being repaired under warranty. The drivers power seat bracket has metal rod running from left to right under seat thigh area. This metal rod is used to lift and adjust the seat height. There are metal washers attached to servo motors that fatigue and wear out. At first seat begins rocking slightly backward on acceleration. Eventually washer(s) fail causing metal rod to move freely without any stabilization. If drivers side power seat is lowered all the way to the floor and all the way back the seat appears stable. …
The power front seats after time come loose in the 20001 Durango and move back and forth on the tracks. Seems like they are moving more and more every day. I read so many other complaints on this web site. Another problem which is common is the wiring burning up connected to the resistor pack on the blower motor. I read stories about how people have to replace the blower motor, resistor pack and plug at the end of the harness. The manufacture should have used thicker wire to handle the current draw for the motor that is installed in the vehicle in the first place. I have been using the original motor for 2 years now I just don't have any speed control now, but the motor is fine. The resistor pack is also fine just need to replace one or all of the wire that are burnt up.
The power drivers seat shifts in position when accelerating from a stop or when a rapid deceleration is required to stop short. The power seat does not move along the seat tracks, but shifts front to rear or laterally while in the same position on the seat tracks. After researching the problem I have found this has come to be known at the Durango "rocking chair" problem. It is quite disconcerting when it happens and causes the driver to momentarily lose concentration while driving. This is a safety hazard. I believe this to be a design and/or manufacturing defect that will only get worse with time, inevitably resulting in a collision.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving 50 MPH, the driver side front window would not roll up. The mechanic stated that the window was off track and he replaced the tracking. The failure has occurred three times. The contact stated that the driver side front seat would not lock when the vehicle stopped. The dealer stated that the driver's seat tracking failed. As of September 11, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unavailable. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 108,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at different speeds, both driver and passenger seats were not stationary and would move out of place. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the electric motor needed to be replaced for both seats. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 165,000.
Seat complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2001 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the seats of the 2001 Dodge Durango, 4% of the model year's 665 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Durango seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats 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 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 9 injuries to seats 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.