CarComplaints.com Notes: The second generation Durango was introduced in 2004 and instantly came under fire for, well, catching on fire.

From 2004-2006 electrical overloading in the driver's side instrument panel caused numerous reports of interior fires. The interior infernos became so commonplace that Chrysler eventually issued a recall.

The problems didn't stop there, however. Owners of the recalled vehicles complained about being treated unfairly and given take-it-or-leave-it low ball settlement offers. "They offered me $2000 under NADA retail as a settlement," said one owner, "and have been rude and hostile to deal with." Nothing says awesome service like treating your customers rudely after their cars have already caught on fire.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
132,300 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.

2005 Dodge Durango drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #168

Mar 102023

Durango

  • miles

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

Was on a delivery order with Doordash suddenly the truck started bucking back and forth it had felt as if someone was slaming into the back of truck anyway I was on the highway in traffic when this had started leaving me 1st and 2nd gear than final with no gears cause the transmission was burning hot to the touch causing burns on my hand when I tried to check out I was told my truck went into some kind of limp mode cause of transmission control module and shifted solenoid A on the transmission someone needs to hold Dodge responsible for its failures

- Paragould, AR, USA

problem #167

Jan 172023

Durango

  • miles
My 2005 Durango all of a sudden has decided to stall while driving. I've bought this vehicle almost 2 years ago, and this is by far the scariest experience I've had in it. The first time it happened was as I was slowing down to stop at a red light on January 17th. Since then it has been stalling one at least 3 to 5 times a week. Something isn't right. I did receive a code from my Milewise ins OBD reader today, that said P1794 URGENCY UNKNOWN - contact your mechanic. That's one of 3 I got. The other two are p 0700 Transmission control system ( MIL request ) Urgent - have checked ASAP AND - P0430 CATALYST system efficiency below threshold. Urgent - have checked ASAP This tells me something is seriously wrong and it's going to cost me a fortune. Which for me is impossible to even try to contemplate. I am disabled and my income is not enough. I can not afford to fix this, nor can I afford to buy something else. This is a real problem that I can't afford and it should have been fixed before when it was brought to your attention back in 2005.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #166

Oct 052022

Durango

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the gears inadvertently shifted from AWD to 4WD-Low. The contact also stated that while attempting to unlock the front driver-€™s side door, she heard the gears shifting inadvertently. The contact then stated that the driveshaft made a loud grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC code: P0700 (Transfer Case motor and possibly snap ring) failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #165

Sep 012021

Durango 8-cyl

  • miles

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

The vehicle is shifting itself into 4WD HI, and sometimes even LO, while being driven - even at highway speed, which causes a sudden and dramatic drop in speed. It also makes turning the vehicle very difficult. This is dangerous and occurs regularly. There are many online forums discussing this exact issue with 2044/2005 Durango's, but no one seems to have a solution. For instance - https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t4148_ds482593

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #164

Sep 092021

Durango

  • miles
While driving 4 lo light comes on and trys 2 engage into 4lo while driving. Read and researched and seems 2 b a big issue wit this.

- Beechgrove, IN, USA

problem #163

Jun 282021

Durango

  • miles
I have had problems with the 4 wheel/ all wheel drive engaging on it's own. The problem exists even when the vehicle is turned off when using the key fob to lock the vehicle. I have on a two occasions have the transmission shift into four wheel low while doing over 55 mph which made the vehicle slow down skidding drastically and made the engine hit high RPMs. After checking online for some Information I've found that it's a problem with many owners of 2004, 2005 and 2006 Durango and Dakota owners and found that the body control module, 4 wheel module and shift actuator was part of the faults. They had disconnected the wire harness to the shift actuator to remedy the chance of having an accident. I have done the same and looked into replacing faulty parts but also found that the fix was also temporary many owners reported the same problem just days after repairs. Please look Into this, it's dangerous and it's well known that this problem exists with many owners why has Mopar not addressed it. It will kill someone.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #162

Dec 312020

Durango

  • 160,000 miles

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

While driving on highway, vehicle just threw itself into 4lo 4WD and started grinding. I had to slam the brakes to save the truck and come to a quick stop from highway speeds. Had to limp it home at 15 mph. Before limping it home, it decided to throw itself into neutral and I couldn't get any motion. After being at a complete stop for a while, the vehicle went back into one of it's 3 modes (I don't know which), AWD, 4hi or 4lo. I limped it home and parked it. Dodge dealer says I need a new transfer case and online information from other users shows this as a "known issue" with no real resolution. I have read that other folks have replaced their transfer case and still have the same issue. This is ridiculous to have happened to me after all these years of people reporting this issue in the past. I could have been killed and I'm not happy. I have stayed on top of all repairs on this vehicle and have had no issues. This was a shock. Where is the recall for this?

- Roswell, NM, USA

problem #161

Jun 012015

Durango

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that after driving over a bump in the roadway, the gear shifter became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that recently, after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, while refueling the vehicle, fuel overflowed due to a defective fuel filler neck. The contact linked the failures to NHTSA campaign number: 05V460000 (power train) and 05V034000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Laceys Spring, AL, USA

problem #160

Jun 092020

Durango 8-cyl

  • 122,000 miles
Vehicle has started to automatically shift into 4 wheel drive when driving. Will sometimes automatically shift into 4 lock and sometimes into 4 low. This causes the vehicle to rapidly decelerate and swerve due to the 4 wheel drive engaging. The vehicle will also automatically engage and disengage 4 wheel drive when off. There are countless descriptions of this on the internet for this particular vehicle. Some of them resulting in near mishaps. My vehicle is at 122,000 miles and has been regularly maintained.

- Trout Creek, ME, USA

problem #159

May 292020

Durango 8-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
So I was driving to work and going about 60 mph and the 4wheel drive engaged and almost caused a major accident on the freeway. I went on the Dodge website and it seems that everyone that owns this type of vehicle had the same thing happen to them. So its not just a random thing that happened. This is a serious problem and it could end up costing someone's life. Right after it happened it made a loud noise then went back to 2wheel drive. Then the lights on the vehicle for the 4wheel hi and low was going haywire. Then like nothing it turned off.and the car drove great. But as I went further down the highway it did it again about 3 more time so I parked it. I.waited a couple hours went to open the door and the car started making noises as if it was engaging ad disengaging the 4 wheel drive. I called the Dodge dealer and they have no clue what to do. This is clearly a malfunctioning drive train and every other person who owned a 2005 Dodge Durango 4 wheel drive has the same exact problem. This is a great car but this malfunction needs to be addressed.

- Pearl City, HI, USA

problem #158

Nov 122019

Durango

  • 287,000 miles

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

While driving around 55 mph, smoke and a burning smell appeared out of the rear of the car. After stopping, then turning right, a loud noise was heard at the rear end. After arriving home, an inspection showed leaked fluid all around the underside rear end. After taking it to a mechanic, they determined that the differential pinion nut had come loose, which damaged the pinion seal, and required a differential overhaul.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #157

Aug 132019

Durango

  • 135,000 miles
The transfer case is changing from all wheel drive into four wheel drive high and low by itself at random. It first happened to my 16 year old daughter. She was driving 65 mph when the transfer case switched on its on. This could have been a horrible accident. Dodge says they know nothing about this issue. This needs to be a recall. This is a serious issue. Your vehecile's transfer case moving all by itself. When the vehecile is parked you can hear the transfer case motor actuating with nothing on. Car parked. This issue is all over the internet with no answers and Dodge knows nothing or is pretending to. This is big. Dangerous issue. Please issue a recall [xxx]. [xxx]. tha car is parked until. This is a Dodge problem not the consumer. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #156

Jul 082019

Durango

  • 4 miles
Shifting into 4 wheel drive driving down the road on its own and then back into low 4 when backing up on its own all types of streets moving

- Brownsburg, IN, USA

problem #155

Jun 012019

Durango

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While driving over 55 mph, the transmission suddenly shifted into four low, which caused the speed to abruptly decelerate to approximately 35 mph. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- O'fallon, MO, USA

problem #154

May 022019

Durango

  • 134,588 miles
While driving, svc AWD light comes on, then goes out. No problem there but that is only the beginning. In a slow hard turn on reverse, the wheels seem to bind up with an uncontrolled lock into four wheel drive. With my research into this problem, I discovered many other people with the exact same problem. 72 pages of the same complaint !! some even tell the of car shifting into 4 wheel drive on the highway slowing the car into dangerously slow speed. I traced complaints back to 2004, all deal with the transfer case shift motor or the wiring controlling it. Also related to the A/C connection, or the AWD, 4 high and 4 low lock switch. I experienced the shift into four wheel drive in slow speed turning and backing but to have it shift into 4 lo lock during driving has me afraid to drive it at all. Over 350 complaints of the same problem, with only one web site sounds like a major design problem that Dodge has not addressed at all. Fyi I bought this car used at koch 33 dealer and they did not disclose the problem in advanced. Thanks rich

- Canadensis, PA, USA

problem #153

Aug 012014

Durango

  • 78,000 miles
'takata recall' there are several things that are going on with my 2005 Dodge Durango slt 4.7 liter V8, 4 wheel drive SUV that are alarming. Every single time I fuel the vehicle it shoots gasoline right back on out of the gas tank where you insert the fuel nozzle and covers me with gas! plus I have replaced the throttle position sensor several times, along with the idle air control valve, and map sensor just to try and correct the stalling while either slowing down to come to a stop, or it also occurs quite frequently when the vehicle is at normal operational temperature and just idling. The RPM gauge inside the vehicle starts fluctuating irratically before stalling. You lose all power and control over the vehicle when it stalls! another problem that's present is hard shifting, or the vehicle fails to shift until it almost pegs out the RPM gauge. It's like both idle and shift are affected creating a safety issue. The transmission has been serviced regularly, tuneups, etc. However despite staying on top of all vehicle maintenance requirements the vehicle still runs poorly and has been doing this since I have owned it at 78,000 miles. It's now got 113K on it and I honestly think the vehicle is a safety hazard and needs the manufacturing company to address all of these issues! this is an ongoing issue that no matter how many times I have the vehicle repaired and the parts replaced it continues to stall out and shift incorrectly there's 18 trouble codes that keep coming up including the air bag on the passenger side, which really doesn't seem to fit what's really going on. No trouble codes for the fuel tank shooting gas out of the inlet pipe that leads to gas tank. This stalling and loss of power happens at all speeds on the freeway, city driving, or literally parked or slowing down from any speed. Any kind of weather condition. Problem started 8/01/2014 to present day.

- Centralia, WA, USA

problem #152

Jul 012018

Durango

  • 83,500 miles
The AWD engages and disengages all on its own. It can engage in the middle of turning which locks up the front wheels, it also engages when you lock / unlock the car. I find it this is a safety issue. It also said service 4WD all the time. This should be a recall as there are many pages online of people having the same exact problem.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #151

Apr 032019

Durango

  • 170,000 miles
4 lo light flashing. Service 4WD light flashing. Shifted to 4 lo on its own. Stuck in 4 lo. Have to unplug transfer case to drive vehicle. Back wheels locked up. This happens in a parking lot after turning car off and using key to fob to lock doors. Lights flash going down highway and on city streets at all speeds. Car will make shifting noises when turned off in park and key removed.

- Excelsior Springs, MO, USA

problem #150

Feb 152019

Durango

  • 166,000 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. When the vehicle was placed in drive, it would not accelerate and the check engine indicator illuminated. Also, whenever the four wheel drive was engaged, a loud clunking noise was heard. Furthermore, the air bag indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to family Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (215-492-8600, located at 6735 essington ave, philadelphia, pa 19153), but the cause of the failures could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 166,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #149

Jan 102019

Durango

  • 215,000 miles
Transfer case control motor shifts into 4WD and 4lo on its own while driving and while vehicle is off. I wrote about this a while back, still no solution. Many others are having this issue. Check out this website. Https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T4148_ds482593 there are over 300 posts about this issue.

- Gentry, AR, USA

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