Is the 2000 Dodge Durango a bad year?
1,073 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 120, 9.2× a quiet Durango year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 38k–87k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Durango owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 57,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 506 (47%) | 36k–69k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 142 (13%) | 56k–139k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 120 (11%) | 38k–87k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 83 (8%) | 36k–80k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 42 (4%) | 49k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 81 (8%) | 36k–92k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 50 (5%) | 53k–97k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 26 (2%) | 42k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 21 (2%) | 32k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 20 (2%) | 38k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 56 (5%) | 71k–147k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Seats | 32 (3%) | 70k–120k miles · ahead | — |
| Tires | 23 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 57,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,073 complaints: 118 mention a crash · 26 mention a fire · 57 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2000 - Dodge durango - w/ 57,364 miles required upper ball joint (L) repair of $126,65. Rear universal joint axle and ban bushings $194.26.
Transmission has failed two weeks after purchase date. *ak the vehicles transmission went in reverse while the gear was in drive.
The yoke on the front of the driveshaft broke causing the driveshaft to fall out. The vehicle was just starting off from a traffic light when this occurred.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 57,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Dodge Durango: 4
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. 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 during vehicle operation.
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). A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
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. Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 11
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Dodge Durango. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Upper ball joint separation
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Steering wheel/shaft spline attachment
Neighbouring years
2001 Durango: 665 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Dodge Durango year
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Questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Durango a bad year?
1,073 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 120, 9.2× a quiet Durango year. At 57,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 38k–87k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Durango?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (506), engine (142), transmission and drivetrain (120), steering (83), latches and locks (42). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 38k–87k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Durango have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 08E064000), Engine (NHTSA 06E024000), Suspension (NHTSA 04V-596), Air bags (NHTSA 01V-153). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.