The Lemon Index2005 Dodge Durango.
The 2005 Dodge Durango is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 280 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 331, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 14 to 16 mpg combined. The best Dodge Durango year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,567 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Durango year. 2005 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 45K to 110K miles on the car (1,310 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 48K–89K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 70K–151K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 8K–68K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2015
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.
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
Show all 9 recalls
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 18,951 MY 2005 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES.
- electrical 2007
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT CONTROLS INTERIOR LIGHTING MAY OVERHEAT.
- visibility 2006
ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.
- transmission & drivetrain 2005
ON 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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE INLET CHECK VALVE MAY NOT FULLY CLOSE AT THE END OF REFUELING.
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 75 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up This bulletin involves…
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- OpenSteering wheel and steering shaft bolts2006
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
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 $4000–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Have a 2005 Dodge Durango with the 4.7l engine. It has stalled 3 times in the past 2 days. Has happened when it is cold. Start to come to a stop, then the engine will die.
2005 Dodge Durango owner · NHTSA complaint 10181792
More owner reports
My 2005 Dodge Durango with the 5.7 liter hemi engine has stalled (engine died) on 4 separate occasions. In every case I was coming to a stop or turning.
NHTSA complaint 10146243
2005 Dodge Durango with 5.7 hemi stalled several times causing steering and brakes to fail. It started immediately after. Is sluggish and lurches before stalling.
NHTSA complaint 10230990
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Dodge Durango reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 331; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Durango year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2005 Dodge Durango problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (42%), electrical (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Durango have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Dodge Durango get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 74,000 miles, from 1,310 complaints.
Does the 2005 Dodge Durango have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Dodge Durango cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Dodge Durango have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Durango year is better than the 2005?
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