Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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.
My car suspension has been horrifying since the day I got it new. One day I was in my garage going no more than 5-8 miles an hour and the wheel fell off and caused tons of damages to the car. It went through insurance and insurance should get reimbursed through Chrysler,as this is a defect. I was without transportation for over 30 days. It cost me over $1000 because of that on top of the deductible. My company leases the car and we want out of the lease as the suspension is acting up again. Dodge dealership has done everything to make a charade of this and not admit any wrong. The incident date below is approximate.
I was attempting to make a left turn to enter a parking ramp at work when unexpectedly I was unable to control my vehicle, as a result I collided with a concrete wall. I had some digital pictures taken as the police would not come to file a report on private propery. The vehicle sustained major damage and I'm convinced this is related to a poor design/weak parts used in the steering linkage/suspension system.
In the early morning hours of 5/27 the right front lower wheel bearing of my 2001 Dodge Durango suddenly separated without warning causing the wheel to come loose from the vehicle. The caused the Durango to veer to the right and crash into two parked cars. The wheel, axle, bearing, rack and pinion and associated parts are being replaced. Old part will be saved.
I purchaced a 2001 d0dge Durango used about a mpnth ago and already I was driving to town and the driver side wheel felt like it was wobling and had a roar. Pulled over didnt see anything , so went on home took it to gateway and was told it was the ball joint. Now im paying payment on a vehicle I cant drive.
My whole tire came off, literally separated from axle.. Does not pick up speed.. Been in the shop several times. And shakes. I had my 2 year old grandson with me when this happened coming out of drive thru.. After I paid the truck off it was downhill from there.
While driving 45 MPH the tie rod on the front passenger side snapped. This caused the consumer to hit a guard rail. The consumer had the vehicle towed. Please provide any additional information.
On April 26, 2004 I arrived at a business meeting and parked my 2001 r/t Durango, and set my alarm with the keyless entry. From my client's office I noticed whitish/gray smoke and observed that the smoke was billowing from under the hood of my truck! I rushed outside.upon arriving in the parking lot I was stopped by the police and fire department from approaching my Durango as they were afraid it might explode.the flames were already four feet above the hood.the fire took my engine, bumpers, lights, hood, fender, left front tire & severally damaged the car directly in front of mine & slightly damaged the car to the left corner. State farm's investigation determined that the failure was caused by the ignition of power steering fluid onto hot surfaces of the exhaust system with the fire extending upward and outward, causing the damage present" which was the total loss of my vehicle. …
I have been with this vehicle in the shop every time you turn around. Currently we were driving down the road and smoke came from the vents. It was a fire which they are still trying to find where the short is. Also the convertor for the air conditioner is bad and had to be replaced. Because of the short the battery was replaced two times because of the burning it up, the spring broke when I hit a bump and my daughters neck was wrenched. Every other day the vehicle won't start, the locks won't work after having them redone by clio Chrysler, the windows won't go up and down, the car has a bad steering rack which we reported to you quite some time ago (2 different dealerships evaluated and reported this), the ball joints were bad, the car creaks currently underneath as though it is going to fall in to pieces. …
We purchased our 2001 Dodge Durango in dec. 2000. In March 2001, my husband returned to the fullerton dealership in ca to have the vehicle looked at due to prob. With the steering wheel on the freeway, when he hit bumps. They could not find a problem wtih the vehicle, advised him that it was just due to the los angeles freeways. We have taken the car in on several occasions due to it feeling wobly and unstable, we have been told time and time that we need wheel alingments. Also, we were experiencing a prob. With the brakes reverbrating, only to be informed that it was part of the anti-lock brake system. Yesterday, I was driving home and nearly hit a pedestrian and several vehichles because I lost control of the vehicle, the steering wheel was "off-center" and I was not able to control it. …
Steering complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Dodge Durango, 7% of the model year's 665 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Durango steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries to steering 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.