The Lemon Index2001 Dodge Durango.
The 2001 Dodge Durango is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 373 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 241, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 13 to 14 mpg combined. The best Dodge Durango year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 665 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Durango year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 88K miles on the car (413 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 37K–64K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 41K–108K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 53K–134K miles
Recalls 7
- suspension 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO.
- transmission & drivetrain 2007
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- electrical 2006
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.
Show all 7 recalls
- engine 2006
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.
- suspension 2004
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…
- transmission & drivetrain 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE.
- child seat 2000
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding noise / vibration in drivetrain and / or front propeller shaft constant…
- Harsh 2-3, 4-5, and 5-4 upshifts causing a powertrain clunk or shudder
- Subject regarding rtv use on corporate axle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle under-seat fire2006
- ClosedFire under the driver's seat2006
- ClosedUpper ball joint separation2003–2005
- ClosedFront susp. upper ball joint failure2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4600–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Replacement of left upper ball joint, control arm and left outer tie rod at 47,000 due to premature wear.
2001 Dodge Durango owner · NHTSA complaint 10045292
More owner reports
Key was in ignition while engine was turned off and child shifted vehicle out of park into drive without depressing brakes, causing vehicle to roll. Please provide further information.
NHTSA complaint 8017003
Front upper ball joint wore out pemature causing very unsafe driving--had to replace.
NHTSA complaint 10030539
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Dodge Durango reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 241; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Durango year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2001 Dodge Durango problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (67%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and steering (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Durango have?
7 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Dodge Durango get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 88,000 miles. The middle report was at 55,400 miles, from 413 complaints.
Does the 2001 Dodge Durango have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Dodge Durango cost in fuel a year?
About $4600 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Dodge Durango have?
4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Durango year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2022 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works