Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. …
As I was going down a counry road, for some unknown reason I lost control of my Durango, went off the road and ran into a dirt/rock embankment. When pulling my Durango back up on the road, found my tire was flat and the rim had split in half. In half like if you were holding it up on it's edge (not lying it down) and cut it in half. When I took it to the dealer ship and they had a representitive come out they said there was nothing they could do!!! I've talked to many people and mechanics and they said they have never seen anything like that. It's as almost as it was welded wrong. The crysler corp. Would not help me in any way. I had to turn it into my insurance company. I still believe that there was something wrong with my Durango. Whether it be a faulty rim or possibly the ball joints. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds and making a right turn, the vehicle pulled to the right and a cracking sound was heard from the front suspension. The contact indicated that the cracking noise was caused by faulty ball joints. In addition, the brake lights would not illuminate and the light bulb and socket was replaced on several different occasions. Also, the plenum gasket leaked oil from the engine, which caused the engine to lose power. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shook. When the steering wheel was turned in either direction, there was an abnormal grinding noise coming from the front wheels. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front ball joints failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V596000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.
I was driving down the road with 2 of my kids.. I started to smell antifreeze going into my car, all of a sudden there was smoke bursting out of my car. We replaced the thermostat 3 different times with in 3 months, the radiator house burst. And no lights came on.. The oil pressure also dropped. Took it to shop to have it fixed, cracked head gaskets and blown motor, now we are with out a car.... Sad because I will never buy another Dodge. We were also never notifies about the recall about the ball joints and paid cash for them to be replaced.
While driving on this day I slip on some snow and my 2001 Durango lost control unexpectedly and slammed into a tree truck was towed to auto body shop and I was told that the ball joints on both sides of the vehicle where shot at 30000 miles and needed to be replaced immediately you guys please give me some feedback on this situation because Chrysler daimler would not give me any information besides that the the ball joints on these vehicles are under investigation thank you very much michael nelson.
Pe 03 032/ front suspension upper ball joint failure: while driving 20-25 MPH the upper and lower ball joints on the right side broke. The condition caused a vehicle accident in which the vehicle struck a speed sign and a telephone pole. The consumer was transported by ambulance to the local hospital for a concussion and minor bruises. The manufacturer was notified.the manufacturer informed consumer that they were going to send out an investigator concerning these issues.
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.
Complaint received via e-mail. My wife was driving when she heard a bizarre noise coming from the front wheel of the truck. She immediately started driving towards the dealership, but the wheel for unknown reason broke at the hub and separated from the truck, causing her to skid while making a left turn in the intersection. Fortunately, my wife and children were not injured.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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.
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.
Suspension complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 265 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Dodge Durango, 40% of the model year's 665 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › upper ball joint (168 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Durango suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-596 (upper ball joint, Dec 21, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Durango suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 2 fires and 12 injuries to suspension 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.