Photo: Chase Blasser / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2001 Dodge Durango: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the weaker Durango years.
686 owner complaints, most about suspension. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 Durango?The 2001 Dodge Durango has 686 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and power train. Owners most often flag weak/failing automatic transmission, including band failure and rebuild needs.
Safety record for the 2001 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 Dodge Durango vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Durango years only. How we score it
Is 2001 a good year for the Durango?
Across the 27 Durango model years we track, complaint volume runs from 48 (2023) to 2,043 (1999). With 686 complaints, the 2001 Durango sits above the model's median of 436.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2001 Durango
suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Campaign 04V596000ON 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. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
suspension:front:hub
Campaign 08E064000SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Campaign 07V555000ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
electrical system
Campaign 06V339000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.
Show 3 more recalls
child seat
Campaign 00V366000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 06E024000CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Campaign 01V077000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE OPERATOR MOVES THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH.
What owners report on the 1st generation Durango
Owner sentiment toward the 1998-2004 Durango is predominantly negative, with the most-upvoted comments warning against purchase and citing weak transmissions, poor fuel economy, and general reliability concerns.
- Very frequentWeak/failing automatic transmission, including band failure and rebuild needs
- Very frequentPoor fuel economy (commonly cited around 9-13 mpg)
- RecurrentBlend door actuator and HVAC vent/temperature control failures
- RecurrentDifferential problems after fluid change requiring limited-slip friction modifier
- RecurrentRough idle and crank/no-start issues traced to bad battery connections
Idle air control, or vacuum leaks.
Owner insights for the 1st generation Durango. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Durango listings typically run $17,400–$32,197.
Other Durango model years
Compare every Durango year side by side to see how 2001 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Durango against its rivals
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