AC & Heater complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% | 82,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 0% | 19,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 19 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 1% | 119,000 miles |
| 1999 | 16 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 1998 | 16 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have a 2006 Dodge Durango limited edition SUV with blend air heaer system. I purchased this vehicle in November of 2006. This vehicle has been in shop approx five times for defroster not working and still is not fixed. This is a very dangerous condition in winter time as windshield fogs and you have to scrape inside of w/s to see. This has been at dealership numerous times and still is not repaired. Defroster will work once in a while but most times not. I don't know if dealer knows how to fix this problem. They seem to be at a loss as far as what the problem is?? Are there other durangos with this same complaint that has or has not been resolved?? This obviously has been an ongoing problem with this particular vehicle. I would like to have this repaired before winter approaches in sept/oct of this year.
A/C in my brand new 2006 Dodge Durango doesn't cool down properly during daytime operating hours. We live in texas and we bought our Durango in July of this year. My vehicle is equipped with dual A/C. We took it back to the dealership complaining that the conditioned air from the vents, even when the control is in the max position, is only ambient at best. I know what cold air feels like! This is texas! Their response was that because of all the glass and large front windshield causes the interior to heat up and it takes a long time for the vehicle to cool down. However the A/C cools down the interior of the vehicle very rapidly in the early morning and late evening hours of the day when the sun isn't as intense.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. After the vehicle had been parked for an hour or so, it caught fire. After further inspection, it was concluded that the blower motor was the possible cause of the fire. The insurance company is in the process of investigating the failure. The contact has pictures and a report from the fire department, which both describe the failure. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Updated 04-14-09 updated 04/15/09.
Driving 2004 Dodge Durango accelerator got stuck to floor. Preening the brake, vehicle caught on fire. The incident was due a manufacturer's defect per fire inspection. Other problems were; the electric remote was inoperative, there was a delay in the shift when the A/C was on and there was a lot of water coming from the A/C.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the blower motor harness fan became hot and melted the wiring. The contact activated the air conditioner but there was no response. The dealer was notified of the failure who informed him that he would have to purchase a kit and repair it himself. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,763.
Tl*- the contact stated that after driving the 2003 Dodge Durango with 34000 failure mileage a short distance she parked the vehicle for approximately 15 minutes, then returned to the vehicle, opened the driver's side door, and noticed that the driver's seat was on fire. The entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. The vehicle was destroyed.
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, white smoke appeared from under the middle of the front bench seat. The vehicle was pulled over. After blowing on the smoke, a small flame was observed under the seat. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, where it was determined that a wiring connection under the seat had caught on fire and burned.
Beginning October of 2010 my heater went out in my 2002 Dodge Durango. We replaced the wiring harness, the resister, and the blower motor. The connection between the resister and the wiring harness, continues to melt the first two prongs. In result the heater slowly goes out one setting at a time, as well as no heat, just cool air blows in the rear. After replacing all three parts it works for about a month before everything starts to fry again. After spending a $100.00/mo for replacement parts and the expense of service, I'm extremely frustrated and broke. After much research on the internet I come to find that I am not the only one with this complaint. Going without a heater or defrost in the middle of winter in minnesota is not an option, especially with little children and it goes out as your stopped at a light and your window fogs up and can't see a thing. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Durango years have ac & heater problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (19), 1998 (16), 1999 (16), 2003 (12) and 2002 (10) model years. AC & Heater complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Dodge Durango ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for any Dodge Durango model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Durango ac & heater problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the appliance › air conditioner (58 mentions), followed by the defroster/defogger/hvac system (16).
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.