Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 686 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Dodge Durango, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 210 | 31% |
| Power train | 80 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 56 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 41 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 4% |
| Air bags | 25 | 4% |
| Seats | 23 | 3% |
| Steering | 18 | 3% |
| Visibility | 16 | 2% |
| Steering | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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). Aft
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle; an abnormal clanking sound was coming from the vehicle. An independent mechanic was notified of the failure and informed the conta
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The entire underneath and some panels of the vehicle are completely rusted to the point that the vehicle cannot be safely driven. The vehicle has never been in an ocean front town. Has been in Frankfurt, Germany and Atch
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 M
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LOCKS UP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS. WHY HAVE YOU NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND MADE THEM FIX THIS? GOOGLE IT AND YOU SEETHAT THIS IS ANN ONGOING PROBLEM FO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND FAILING TO STOP FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN MPH. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
AS I AM DRIVING MY BLINKERS AND RADIO STOPPED WORKING RANDOMLY . CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES WHILE ON THE ROAD . THIS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION AND ON THE ROAD
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 BRAKIN
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2001 Dodge Durango. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 NOI
Risk: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 WHEE
Risk: IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DUR
Fix: SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
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
Risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Risk: THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 75 | good |
| Efficiency | 25 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 686 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 210 of them (31%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.