10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,032 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Dodge Durango engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Durango Owner Comments

problem #19

Jun 152008

Durango

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2001 Dodge Durango engine blew on hwy while my daughter age 12 were going to missoula.

- Seeley Lake, MT, USA

problem #18

Jan 022009

Durango

  • 10,200 miles
Known daimler Chrysler issue (engine failure after low oil pressure) has occurred. Engine failure du to sludge. Engine showed decrease in oil pressure, when checking the oil noticed sludge on oil cap. When contacting dealership they stated I had to replace the engine. $8000 is the total estimated cost. They also stated this is a well known issue and that it comes up very frequently. Mechanics have stated that they are still waiting for a recall to be issued as there have been reported deaths and injuries. I had my 5 children with me and was left in the middle of the woods with no cell reception and the temps getting to below 0. vehicle only has 102000 miles on it and should have lasted longer. Contacted Dodge with the customer support explaining that it was too bad I bought a Dodge! there are not enough complaints about the engine! I have searched the internet and found hundreds of complaints. Recall this engine!

- New London, CT, USA

problem #17

Dec 242006

Durango 8-cyl

  • 70,209 miles
2001 Dodge Durango check gauge and oil light came on when riding on the highway due to faulty oil pump. * the consumer stated the engine was ticking and making a loud noise. The consumer stated that because the problem was not detected when she first took the vehicle to the dealer, it now needs a new engine. The consumer was informed the problem was fixed, however in May 2007, the consumer noticed the idle was off and when the consumer would come to a stop, the vehicle would not idle down. When the consumer applied the accelerator there was a noise coming from the transmission. The consumer was told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, however when the vehicle was returned to her, she noticed the idle was fixed. The vehicle has been to the dealer on 4 separated occasions for engine related issues.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #16

Jul 152005

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After being adamant about the maintenance on my truck, the oil pressure dropped and my engine locked. Needed to be replaced, was told it was "gunked" up and pieces were in it.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012006

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
After the check engine warning light went on and was addressed by a local authorized mechanic, the vehicle warning tones begin sounding continuously, the remote radio controls stopped functioning and the rear wiper would go on intermittently. The vehicle was brought back to the same mechanic who performed a computer diagnostic but could find no issues. After which all vehicle lights began flashing when the headlights are turned on.

- Forked River, NJ, USA

problem #14

Oct 202005

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
Our 2001 Dodge Durango made a strange knocking noise in the engine and suddenly lost oil pressure. The engine then seized up and we are now told we need a new engine in the vehicle. We were told by the dealership that the cause was excessive sludge in the engine. We have done regular oil changes and routine maintenance on the vehicle. The Durango has only 80,00 miles on it. We have a 1993 Chevrolet truck which has 183,000 miles on it. We have also done routine maintenance and regular oil changes on it and it is still running well. We also have a 1993 Jeep Wrangler which has 170,000 miles on it. It is also running well. We are suspect that there must be a major flaw in the design of the Dodge Durango engine as we have since heard of similar stories from many other Dodge Durango owners.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #13

May 202005

Durango 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Without warning the check engine light came on and oil pressure dropped, vehicle made a noise like a ticking sound. Truck was taken to dealer, who said he would check it out, and if the engine was bad it will have to be replaced at owner's expense. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. Caller said there was a good possibility that the problem was an oil sludge.

- Montgomery, NY, USA

problem #12

Jul 242004

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
(1) events leading up to the failure, while driving on a 20 mile dirt mountain road with very little grade at a slow speed of 10 to 20 miles an hour. Ac was not on!. 2) failure and its consequences, overheating for unknown reason. The engine would not stay cool and ended up using our 4 gallons drinking water to keep it cool. Consequence, the heads on the truck warped due to failure of the head gasket. (3) what was done to correct the failure; I.e, parts repaired or replaced (and if old part is available) a dealer service mechanic inspected the vehicle the next day. Exhaust gases were detected in the coolant water. This was due to a head gasket failure. After the heads were removed and sent to a head shop for inspection and removal of components it was discovered the heads were warped. The mechanic contacted a Dodge dealer and he was advised the head part numbers were changed due to a known issue with the current heads. New heads are on order at this time and other components will be inspected over the next 2 days. The expense and inconvenience of this failure is costing me approximately $5000 over the next 7 days of not having a vehicle. The vehicle was never driven to excusive heating. The temperature was only running.25% hotter than normal with loss of power and water over flowing from over flow bottle. The temperature gage was only showing just below scale and normal operating temperature is just below of the gage. The vehicle overheated approximately 32 times before I could get help on the other end of the dirt road. Out side temp in the canyon was no more than 85 degrees.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #11

May 172004

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,400 miles
Engine light came on. Codes listed were P1757 and P1762. Governor pressure solenoid and governor pressure sensor. Engine rpms race to over 3000 before finally shifting. Feels like the engine is going to blow.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #10

Apr 012004

(reported on)

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
Consumer experienced the engine light illuminating, shaking when braking at high speeds, steering noises and shifter popping in place. Also, consumer experienced noise in the rear end and transmission not shifting properly. Dealer said the check engine light illuminated for no reason at all and was reset. Consumer went to a different dealer and put a new computer because it's a small sensor in the emission control. Engine light came on again and consumer brought vehicle to a dealer and said that it was safe to drive. Consumer went to a different dealer because she wasn't comfortable with the opinion from the previous dealer. Consumer was told by the dealer that it was the torque converter and it will take a week and a half to repair vehicle. In addition, consumer is experiencing problems with air conditioner.

- Shelton, WA, USA

problem #9

Jan 152004

Durango 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,340 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Known daimler Chrysler issue (engine failure after low oil pressure) has occurred on my vehicle. I am in the 39 month of a 39 month lease and out of warranty. Dealer wants me to pay for a new motor which will cost between $5000 and $8000.

- Berkeley Heights, NJ, USA

problem #8

Nov 202003

Durango 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
The vehicle on this occasion started knocking and the check gauges light appeared. It stated I needed oil when I recently had an oil change. It then cut off. I took the vehicle to the dealer to find out that I needed a new engine supposedly due to sludge build up. I have had all oil changes and services performed. I even went as far as to have the 30,000 mile service done. Previous problems include replacement of an air bag, rear window problems, air conditioner not working, noises while in reverse when parking, all in all also getting stuck in 4-hi. All in all they told me they would not replace my engine even with my Chrysler warranty. The vehicle only has 42,000 miles. Also had new ignition switch installed due to speedometer failure.

- Phila., PA, USA

problem #7

Sep 012003

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,867 miles
While driving my Durango on 09/01/03, my check engine light came on. The oil pressure guage began flucutating up and down.I immediately drove home, @ 2 miles, and parked the vehicle.on September 2, 2003, I drove the Durango @4 miles to the srvc. Dept. At darcars. Later that day darcars informed me that the engine was "sludged up" and was beyond repair.the engine has approximately 44,867 miles on it. I purchased it off of the show room floor as a demo. I immediately contacted the manufacturer, daimler Chrysler (daimler), to complain and seek some type of assistance. The representative at daimler stated that he would open a file on my vehicle and contact darcars to get some additional info. Daimler advised that in order for them to determine if they could provide any type of assistance, I would first need to provide authorization for darcars to tear the engine apart to do a further diagnosis.I gave darcars verbal authorization to perform the further diagnosis.on 09/10/03, darcarsadvised that they had removed the valve cover and detected sludge down in the engine.darcars said that they decided not to take the engine apart because the labor cost (@15 hrs would be borne by me.darcars already "knew what the problem was and did not see the need to add an additional labor charge to me on top of the cost for a new engine.at the invite of the darcars service rep I went to take a look at the engine.everything on the engine was intact.it did not appear that the valve cover had ever been removed.at this point the service rep opened the oil fill hole, removed a plastic piece, and showed me the "buildup" on it.he stated that this was an indication of the sludge buildup in the engine.the daimler local rep looked at my Durango and listened to the engine and indicated that there was nothing he or daimler could do for me.this is a "catch 22": a labor cost on top of a new engine.without taking the engine out, I don't know for certain that there isn't some type of engine defect.

- Mitchellville, MD, USA

problem #6

Sep 072003

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
While driving at any speed, engine RPM drops and vehicle almost stalls out completely for a few seconds (at lease 40 seconds or more on each occurrence) without any warning indications (no warning lights being on). Putting the vehicle in neutral and coasting it to the side of the freeway while pulsing (repping) the gas peddle, engine runs normally again. Almost got into a couple of accidents on the freeway!!!

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #5

Nov 262002

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Vehicle stalls when going down a hill in four wheel low. This happened in winter causing passenger and I to spin out of control and crash into snow bank. Dealer has looked at 4 times, replacing several parts and doing a complete tune up. Chrysler has sent a tech up to look at it as well. The dealer nor Chrysler can figure this out now they are claiming it is normal for the vehicle to do this. We have tested other Dodge Durangos and chysler vehicles in the same place and none of them do this.

- Waterford, VT, USA

problem #4

Jun 152003

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
While driving 65 mph the vehicle began to slow down. The consumer pulled to the side of the road and checked under the hood but didn't see anything that could have caused the problem. The consumer re-enter the vehicle and when he attempted to start the vehicle it only mad a click sound. The vehicle was towed to a technician who indicated the engine seized.

- Effingham, KS, USA

problem #3

Jun 172003

Durango

  • miles
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the engine blew, causing the consumer to pullover. Dealer notified.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #2

Apr 242003

(reported on)

Durango

  • miles
The vehicle was taken in for repairs due to an accident. The mechanic working on the vehicle called the consumer and stated there was an engine problem not related to the accident. The engine had to be replaced.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #1

May 012001

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
Rough idle. The vehicle idles low causing a very rough idle. Does not happen when defrost or A/C is used because they automatically bump idle up. Spent many many hours at dealer with them admitting a problem but unable to fix the problem. Does not idle like a 30,000 dollar vehicle. Dodge has lost a future customer.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

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