Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I almost died, I escaped my car moments before it completely exploded into flames. I was driving down the interstate and it said it was overheating for a couple seconds and then the car went completely dead going 70 miles per hour. My steering wheel locked up so I fought to pull it off the road and stop it, I had a bad feeling so I checked the front of the car but it was inflamed once I got out and my seat was consumed in fire
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 was about to enter a storage facility and was slowly easing my foot off the brake when when the engine revved loudly my SUV lurched forward and accelerated out of my control tore through the storage gate that didn't finish opening totally destroying the facilitiy main gate. The SUV kept accelerating as I was hitting the brake then finally stopped.
Engine stalled several times during vehicle turns. This occurs every year with the vehicle especially during warm weather months. Currently still own vehicle and had one injury accident in 2013 directly related to stalling issues.
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.
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. …
This vehicle occasionally stalls, leaving no power steering or power brakes. This was not a single incident; this has happened probably 50 times over the past 4 years. It has happened at multiple vehicle speeds, and has happened in both forward ("drive") and reverse gears. The vehicle has always immediately restarted, and it drives normally after restarting. There is no warning or indication that the engine is about to stall, and no check engine (or other) light comes on before or after the incident. The most recent incident happened after dropping my son off at his school. While driving through the school parking lot to leave, the vehicle stalled and I wasn't able to control it (very high steering effort, difficult to stop). I almost hit another vehicle. I also realized the severity of this problem because it could have been a child instead of another vehicle which I nearly struck. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that his battery had died upon start of his vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was able to recharge the battery. Months later, the contact stated that the same failure recurred. The contact had the vehicle jump started and taken back to his independent mechanic who charged the battery again. Due to the ineffectiveness of the charge, the mechanic replaced the battery. Upon research, the contact discovered that the change over motor linked to the four-wheel drive feature could engage independently while the vehicle was turned off. The contact then linked his failure of his vehicle due to the fact that he could hear an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle once the vehicle was turned off. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken into the dealer where the technicians replaced the EGR valve. The check engine light continued to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time where the technicians were unable to diagnose the failure. The contact took the vehicle to a different dealer where there were several repairs made. The vehicle continued to experience the failure. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact noticed the interior of the vehicle felt hot and there was smoke inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact waited for the vehicle to cool down and drove to the dealer. The technicians noticed the wiring harness and the intake manifold had melted. …
Engine complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 329 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Dodge Durango, 21% of the model year's 1,567 complaints. The component named most often is engine (62 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Durango engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2005 Dodge Durango, though it has 8 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 2005 Dodge Durango engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.