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2005 Dodge Durango: common problems and reliability
· 2nd generationOne of the worst Durango years.
One of the Dodge Durango years to avoid. All Durango years
1,567 owner complaints, most about fuel system. 9 recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 Durango?The 2005 Dodge Durango has 1567 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel system and gasoline. Owners most often flag ignition lock cylinder failure preventing the key from turning.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Dodge Durango vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Durango years only. How we score it
Is 2005 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 1,567 complaints, the 2005 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 2005 Durango
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 16V352000Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
air bags
Campaign 14V770000Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 15V313000Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Show 5 more recalls
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 09V003000CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 18,951 MY 2005 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE INLET CHECK VALVE MAY NOT FULLY CLOSE AT THE END OF REFUELING. THIS COULD ALLOW SOME FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FILLER NECK AT THE END OF REFUELING.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 07V092000ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT CONTROLS INTERIOR LIGHTING MAY OVERHEAT.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 06V067000ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 05V460000ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Campaign 05V034000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE INLET CHECK VALVE MAY NOT FULLY CLOSE AT THE END OF REFUELING. THIS COULD ALLOW SOME FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE FILLER NECK.
What owners report on the 2nd generation Durango
Owner sentiment for the 2004-2008 Durango is mixed and leans negative, with several owners calling it a "piece of shit" and warning others away, while a smaller group defends it as a capable, safe rig.
- IsolatedIgnition lock cylinder failure preventing the key from turning
- IsolatedThrottle position correlation error (P0068) with rough idle and poor fuel economy, possibly linked to a damaged air filter housing allowing unfiltered air in
- IsolatedCylinder misfire requiring coil, plug, and wire diagnosis
- IsolatedRPM surge at idle with belt squeak
Attributed to dirty throttle body, vacuum leak, or idle air control valve.
- IsolatedTPMS light illuminated constantly
With owner uncertainty over whether the 2005 model even has sensors.
Owner insights for the 2nd generation Durango. Read the full 2nd 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 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Durango against its rivals
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