Reliability
Dodge

Durango (2001)

2001 · Midsize SUV · 3 engines
657 NHTSA Complaints
7 Recalls
19 Fire Reports
59 Crash Reports
View all 6 generations of the Dodge Durango → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

7.4 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run higher than this generation's overall count, so they set the score.

Owners filed 154 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 198.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall154 complaints against about 198 for similar vehicles
7.6
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced42 complaints against about 41 for similar vehicles
7.0
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Dodge Durango Unidentified Engine

181 complaints 181.0 per year
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
73
transmission
27
electrical
18
engine
17
cooling
15

5.9-V8-Gas

5.9L 8-cyl
98 complaints 98.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

5.2-V8-Gas

5.2L 8-cyl
6 complaints 6.0 per year Liquefied Petroleum Gas (propane or LPG)
View details

2.5T-I4-Diesel

2.5L 4-cyl Turbo
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Durango, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension: 260 owner complaints
Transmission: 105 owner complaints
Electrical System: 89 owner complaints
Engine: 67 owner complaints
Brakes: 54 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2001 Dodge Durango

On a used 2001 Dodge Durango, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (260), the transmission and drivetrain (105) and the electrical system (89). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 260 owner complaints on the 2001 Dodge Durango about the suspension.
  2. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on the 2001 Dodge Durango about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 89 owner complaints on the 2001 Dodge Durango about the electrical system.
  4. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints on the 2001 Dodge Durango about the engine, all engines combined.
  5. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on the 2001 Dodge Durango about the brakes.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2001 Dodge Durango

Recalls (7)

08E064000Oct 20, 2008serious
Suspension

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.

07V555000Dec 4, 2007serious
Powertrain

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.

06V339000Sep 7, 2006serious
Electrical System

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.

06E024000Mar 15, 2006serious
Engine & Cooling

CERTAIN 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.

04V596000Dec 21, 2004moderate
Suspension

ON 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.

Show 2 older recalls
01V077000Mar 7, 2001cosmetic
Powertrain

VEHICLE 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.

00V366000Nov 9, 2000serious
Child Seat

VEHICLE 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.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
3/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2001 Dodge Durango complaints?

Owners have filed 657 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2001 Dodge Durango. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the transmission and the electrical system.

Is the 2001-2001 Dodge Durango a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 657 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2001 Dodge Durango. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2001 Dodge Durango have?

NHTSA has 657 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2001 Dodge Durango as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2001-2001 Dodge Durango?

NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2001-2001 Dodge Durango vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Dodge Durango?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Durango?

The 2001 Dodge Durango received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars. Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 657 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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