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 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,840 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 2 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #151

Jun 012017

Durango

  • 180,000 miles

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

I vehicle likes to turn its 4 wheel drive on while I am making turns. Also when it is parked you can hear the 4 wheel drive system making clicking noises. This happens when the vehicle is turned off and the key is not in the ignition. I have read thousands of complaints about this same problem. I see that some people have spent thousands of dollars to fix this problem and it does not. Some people have stated while driving on a highway or road it has kicked in and caused traffic accidents, some serious and some minors. When will this problem be addresses" will it take someone dying to get an investigation started" I have had this problem for a couple of years and thank god, nothing has happen to me or my family when this issues happens.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #150

May 162017

Durango

  • 149,500 miles
For no reason the vehicle shuts off with no warning. No lights on the dash or anything, shuts off and no steering. Not safe to drive. It has happened while driving and while sitting at a light, no warning signs. Acts fine, both times during city street driving.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #149

Jan 152017

Durango

  • 69,000 miles
The vehicle doesn't want to drive like the brake is on this happens even worse when trying to turn.the service 4 wheel drive light is on.I got on a forum and was blown away by all the people having the same problem.some say electrical some say transfer case.they was 2005 or all in this area.the vehicle only has 69000 miles on it.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #148

Mar 092017

Durango

  • 268,916 miles

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

While traveling on I-90 eastbound at 70 mph my 05 Dodge Durango suddenly lost momentum and the engine RPM went up. I managed to get to the shoulder safely. The engine was still running and the vehicle still in gear but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility just off the next closest exit. Examination showed the transmission fluid was okay, the repair facility found the torque converter had been stripped out. This vehicle had been displaying problems with the transfer case shifting without touching the selector switch. Also you could hear the transfer case motor activating while unlocking the doors "?" research has shown that there are many such incidences of problems with this vehicle. Repair costs me $1403. But the vehicle is still doing the same thing. There are reports of people changing out parts with no fix. I feel this vehicle is unsafe and the dealer should recall before someone gets killed. Repair facility said my torque converter had been totally stripped out as a result of whatever caused the problem. I am disheartened as I like this vehicle but can't afford to spend thousands of dollars chasing a fix that many including dealers have been unable to resolve. Whatever assistance would be greatly appreciated. See https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T4148_ds482593

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #147

Feb 012017

Durango

  • miles
The front heat/ac controls stop working. It doesn't matter rather the heat is on or the ac is on. It will randomly stop blowing air. When this happens the wires under the passenger side dash (up under the glove box) get extremely hot and smells like burning plastic. When my mechanic looked into it the white plastic pigtail part was half melted away. He replaced it but a few months later we had to replace it again with the same issue. I didn't drive this vehicle for about 6 months after it was repaired. Now after 2 days of driving it since it was sitting it has gone out again.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #146

Jan 012016

Durango

  • 180,000 miles
My vehicle will kick into 4X4 lo with no warning or notice. Happens on tight turns. Seems this is a huge problem on 2004-2005 Dodge druango.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #145

Mar 012012

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

Vehicle engages and disengages into four wheel drive on its own. Will engage while driving at high speeds on freeway, while vehicle is off and when unlocking doors with key fob. Stereo changes stations and volume adjusts on its own. Have unhooked transfer case to avoid an accident.

- Cedar City, UT, USA

problem #144

Jan 272017

Durango

  • 145,000 miles
As I was driving home, all of the dash warning/service lights came on. At the same time, my turn signals, brake lights, windshield wipers, hazard lights, and all gauges malfunctioned. I believe this to be an issue with the "front control module".

- Kingston, OH, USA

problem #143

Oct 142015

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
On my vehicle the 4 wheel drive will automatically engage while I am driving. It has switched into 4lo a few times which almost caused a serious accident. There is also a clicking noise that sounds like the gears are switching back and forth, when I use the remote lock/unlock on the key fob. The Dodge dealership did not know why it was happening and said maybe I should replace the transfer case but they did not know for sure if that would do anything. So I lost over $100 and got nothing out of it. I took it to my mechanic who said that unplugging at the transfer case would stop the issue but the 4 lo and other switches would not work and the service 4X4 light would remain on. Since I have to drive I had him do this and it did fix the problem but now I don't have any 4 wheel drive which really sucks living in Utah with all the snow. The fact that the vehicle would switch into 4 lo when I was doing 70 mph on the freeway is a major safety concern. There needs to be a recall on this problem.

- Lindon, UT, USA

problem #142

Oct 142016

Durango

  • 149,525 miles
Tire pressure light will not go off, after tires have been aired and checked by tire place.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #141

Sep 302016

Durango

  • 149,050 miles

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

Seat belt is locked but light comes on as if it was not on. I have to undo, and reapply for light to go off. Radio will not work at times. Radio repair guy said I needed a new amplifier. One day it just starts playing, but when I stopped to get gas, the car would not start. After battery was replaced, the cargo lamp stays on if I open my rear hatch. Will only go off if I closed it twice.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #140

Aug 122016

Durango

  • 135,000 miles
This vehicle routinely stalls and shuts off while drive, decelaration, coasting, and also while at a complete stop. I have already had one accident due to this issue and has become increasingly dangerous to drive.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #139

Aug 042016

Durango

  • 217,000 miles
When in motion, vehicle's RPM will drop to 0 (randomly, no way to tell when coming), along with a loss of power steering and various electronics within the vehicle. Problem is usually fixed by restarting vehicle, but it has been very dangerous - especially on the highway. Has happened at least 5 times during my ownership of the vehicle (4 years)

- Belvidere, IL, USA

problem #138

Mar 282016

Durango

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the interior lights remained illuminated and would not shut off. The contact stated that a day later the vehicles instrument panel failed. The contact also mentioned an odor of burning wires was present in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 07V092000 (electrical system) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown due to the instrument panel failure.

- Camden, SC, USA

problem #137

Mar 252016

Durango

  • miles
Interior lights won't go off. Smell burning wires inside the vehicle.

- Camden, SC, USA

problem #136

Nov 012015

Durango

  • 99,000 miles
In my 05 Durango, the 4WD keeps clicking on and off randomly. I could be driving down the highway or just turned the car off. The engine has not been able to go in drive, reverse, etc. I had a mechanic look at the transmission, spending a ton of unnecessary money when the whole time the 4WD has been stuck in neutral. Dodge knows about the problem, why isn't there a recall" apparently the switching into 4lo at high speeds can cause serious damages -- even death to me or my children or other innocent people on the highway. What am I supposed to do???"

- Villa Ridge, MO, USA

problem #135

Jan 302016

Durango

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tipm failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact replaced several parts to repair the failure prior to the current diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Ferguson, MO, USA

problem #134

Oct 122015

Durango

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds, the vehicle goes into wheel high mode svc 4WD. The rear end was in low gear, but the front gear was high. The vehicle shifted into either gear randomly and caused the vehicle to hop. While driving at approximately 60 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.

- Jerseyville, IL, USA

problem #133

Oct 202009

Durango

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated the vehicle stalled, while driving at lower speeds. In addition, the failure occurred while driving over rough road conditions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #132

Dec 052015

Durango

  • 12,800 miles
The car sv 4D light comes on. And when driving the car shifts into 4WD which causes the car to stall and almost caused me my life and family life on the highway.

- Il, IL, USA

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