Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was not operating properly. The speedometer displayed 50 MPH while the vehicle was parked and the odometer turned blank, and the vehicle was stuck in FWD. The contact stated that the interior lights failed to turn off upon depressing the light switch. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong electrical wiring burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the burning odor was coming through the A/C vents on both sides of the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a nearby independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V092000 (Electrical system). …
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose motive power while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who tested the battery and the alternator however, neither was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was called however, a representative was not able to be reached. The vehicle was not repaired. After searching online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V092000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was 200,052.
I have had problems with the 4 wheel/ all wheel drive engaging on it's own. The problem exists even when the vehicle is turned off when using the key fob to lock the vehicle. I have on a two occasions have the transmission shift into four wheel low while doing over 55 mph which made the vehicle slow down skidding drastically and made the engine hit high RPMs. After checking online for some Information I've found that it's a problem with many owners of 2004, 2005 and 2006 Durango and Dakota owners and found that the body control module, 4 wheel module and shift actuator was part of the faults. They had disconnected the wire harness to the shift actuator to remedy the chance of having an accident. I have done the same and looked into replacing faulty parts but also found that the fix was also temporary many owners reported the same problem just days after repairs. …
Was driving 2005 dodge Durango when it stalled and stopped running at a bottom of a hill. Would not start . Replaced idiole control sensor, starter, battery, crank shaft sensor and relays. Started ran for 30 minutes again just died in the middle of the road. Will not start. If someone would of come over the hills could of hit us with sever injury or possibly death. Still wont run crank over wont run.
Engine is intermittent stalling when driving or taking a sharp corner at Low speed. The vehicle engine has just stalled when driving at different speeds. No check engine lite on at all the engine just stalls and I can restart the engine almost all the time right away the repair facility has no idea what is going on. Need to get this figured out before an accident happens
I have had my durango for about 2 years, one day I went to start it and it clicked as if battery had died. When I jumped it, it started right up. I noticed that my dash had a tire sensor light and a light saying Overhead lamp on. I turned my overhead switch and all my lights in the car turned on and then off when i turned switch.( normal) so I knew something was up. After doing some research I read about the recall. I Made an appointment on the 15th of June to get a recall for my instrument panel fixed. I dropped my car off at 7 am my appointment was at 8am. I called around 11:30 to get an ETA since I was on a time limit for work and live an hour away. The dealership called to tell me that he needed to take out cluster and test it and if it was cluster he would have to order it and it could be a few days. If it was fine it was a circuit Issue and he would need to fix it. …
It switches into 4 high and 4 low all by its self. The vehicle can be off for hours and it still will do it. The scary thing is it will shift like that while delivering as well. Very dangerous, and lucky there was not another vehicle either coming towards me or behind me, cuz I lost control of the vehicle and I an sure a incoming car would of kill everyone. This needs to be fix. There is hound to be a law suit and I read three is alot of other and you people know it.. This will be on you people,
This vehicle routinely stalls and shuts off while drive, decelaration, coasting, and also while at a complete stop. I have already had one accident due to this issue and has become increasingly dangerous to drive.
Tl*- please refer to NHTSA action number : ea05018 .the contact purchased a 2005 Dodge Durango on or about March 2005 with an odometer reading of 10 miles. The contact stated that on February 15, 2007 a fire began on the vehicle's dashboard. The vehicle was driven early in the morning, then parked for 2 hours. The contact went out a second time, and that waswhen the fire was noticed. The vehicle was towed to don weirs reno Dodge on February 16, 2007. An investigator from Dodge was ask to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was stored at the dealer from February 16, 2007 to the present. The contact received a call from the investigator on February 20, 2007 regarding the fire. A representative from daimler Chrysler called on February 26,2007 who said that it was not an aftermarket defect, but a manufacturing defect and would be covered under the warranty. …
I bought my 05 Durango back in May of 05 and I've had to deal with all three of the major complaints, the fuel spewing out, the stalling, and the 4x4 activating! The fuel thing I always noticed but always thought it was something that just happened. The 4x4 engaging happened when it still had the power train warranty so I took it to the dealer to get it repaired. The good thing is that they fixed it, the bad thing is that it wasn't covered under the warranty! They told me that they replaced the 4x4 control module and I haven't had a problem since then! I'm not positive if that's the name of the module. This was back in 2008 and I haven't had that problem since then. Hopefully that helps some that are dealing with that same issue! The stalling happens here and there, not too often and usually when I'm at a stop sign. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
On some sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, an integrated circuit in the instrument cluster that controls interior lighting May overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the cluster for damage and replace it free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2007. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-140.
NHTSA investigations
Instrument panel fires
This investigation originated from complaints received by the agency reporting instrument panel (ip) fires on vehicles that were covered under a prior recall (recall 03V528) by daimler Chrysler (dcc) to correct a cracked capacitor in the ip.dcc has now identified another condition that can cause overheating of an integrated circuit that controls interior lighting.this condition affects certain model year 2004-2006…
Electrical complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 198 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Dodge Durango, 13% of the model year's 1,567 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Durango electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-092 (instrument cluster/panel, Mar 9, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Durango electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 14 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.