Is the 2001 Dodge Durango a bad year?
665 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 106, 8.2× a quiet Durango year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 48k–106k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 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 71,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 106 (16%) | 48k–106k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 91 (14%) | 55k–134k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 48 (7%) | 39k–76k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 58 (9%) | 52k–140k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 54 (8%) | 35k–90k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 43 (6%) | 41k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 29 (4%) | 70k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 26 (4%) | 34k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 26 (4%) | 38k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 19 (3%) | 42k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 8 (1%) | 41k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 265 (40%) | 38k–64k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 11 (2%) | 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 71,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 665 complaints: 60 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 36 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My son shifted the vehicle out of park with the engine running and the brake not pressed. The car rolled but we were able to stop it.
2001 durango unsafe to drive while in 4 wheel drive.*mr the problem was not with the transfer case. The problem was that the vehicle had two different differentails on it.
I have a durango (2001) that has had the transmission replaced 3 times in two and a half years. I have had the transmissions serviced and kept all records but the transmission fails everytime within a year of replacement.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 71,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Dodge Durango: 7
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.
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). Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
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. This may allow development of a high resistive short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
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: 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. This could cause the transfer case to end up in the neutral position unexpectedly and allow the vehicle to roll away if the parking brake is not applied.
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." In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
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: 14
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 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
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Vehicle under-seat fire
Fire under the driver's seat
Upper ball joint separation
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2000 Durango: 1,073 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2002 Durango: 423 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Dodge Durango year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Durango years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Durango a bad year?
665 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 106, 8.2× a quiet Durango year. At 71,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 48k–106k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Durango?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (106), electrical system (91), steering (48), engine (58), brakes (54). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 48k–106k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Durango have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 08E064000), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 07V-555), Electrical system (NHTSA 06V-339), Engine (NHTSA 06E024000) and more. 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.