NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 665 owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve suspension (265) and power train (105). The EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined.
SKF 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.
ON 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.
ON 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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Durango model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 2,012 |
| 2000 | 1,097 |
| 2001 | 665 |
| 2002 | 434 |
| 2003 | 339 |
| 2004 | 1,115 |
| 2005 | 1,567 |
| 2006 | 852 |
| 2007 | 275 |
| 2008 | 97 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2011 | 800 |
| 2012 | 640 |
| 2013 | 640 |
| 2014 | 786 |
| 2015 | 505 |
| 2016 | 161 |
| 2017 | 214 |
| 2018 | 234 |
| 2019 | 145 |
| 2020 | 56 |
| 2021 | 208 |
| 2022 | 61 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 15 |
“WHILE I LOVE MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO RT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS / SAFETY ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS. NUMBER ONE IS THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS VERY LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WRECK, WHIPLASH ETC. IN DOING MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL DO COSTS BETWEEN 600-800.00 WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE LINKS ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FIX YOURSELF FOR ABOUT 40.00 OROVOODMG A BETTER FIX THAT THE DEALERS WILL NOT PROVIDE, BUT IT IS COMPLICATED AND VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS TO BE SAFE AND HAVE SAFE PASSENGERS! TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS INTO DODGE AND GET THIS PERMANENTLY FIXED AT NO COST TO ME. THERE ARE UNTOLD AMOUNTS OF DODGE DURANGO OWNERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, WHICH DODGE CURRENTLY WILL NOT RECALL. THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE INCREDIBLY DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. SINCE DODGE RECALLED THESE TRUCKS FOR THE BALL JOINTS MANY INCLUDING MINE PREVIOUS TO ME BUYING IT, WE'RE BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL REPAIR IN 2006. PLEASE NOTE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS COMPANY CALLED "MOOG" FIXED THIS DODGE ENGINEERING…”
“The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V555000 (POWER TRAIN); but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly shifted out of park(P). After several attempts, the gear shift lever was shifted to park(P) and remained in park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
“IN THE PAST YEAR MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GONE HAYWIRE. FIRST MY PASSENGERS ALL LOST THEIR ABILITY TO USE WINDOW CONTROLS, ONLY THE DRIVER HAS CONTROL, BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WILL WORK, PRETTY RANDOM. THEN MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. NOT THE BULB, THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP STOPPED WORKING, AND IF I SWITCH TO MY HIGH BEAMS THE RIGHT ONE WON'T WORK. AND NOW MY READ PASSENGER BREAK LIGHT WON'T COME ON. ALSO AFTER I TURN OFF MY CAR COMPLETELY, ONCE IN A WHILE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE RADIO WILL COME BACK ON BY ITSELF! WE CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT. WE'VE TRIED EVERYTHING! ALL OF THIS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION, PARKED AND STATIONARY”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durango 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Durango 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | $4,800 | 684 |
| Durango 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | $4,800 | 684 |
| Durango 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | $4,800 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 665 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (265), power train (105), electrical system (91). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Dodge Durango at 13–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).