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:
15 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 1
Average Mileage:
52,678 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #100

Aug 012022

Durango

  • 215,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V352000 (Air Bags) and 05V034000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the failure occurred after the recall repairs were performed. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the dashboard was damaged, and the passenger's side air bag compartment was opened. Additionally, fuel was spilling out of the filler tube while refueling the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #99

Jun 272022

Durango

  • miles
My passenger side airbag will not activate. It shows a passenger side airbag off

- Filer , ID, USA

problem #98

Feb 082020

Durango 8-cyl

  • miles
Hola el vehculo tiene problema con la bolsa de aire del pasajero, por su excesiva presin de esta. El motor del limpia parabrisas tambin tiene problema. Y el motor de admisin del escape en nmero de vino ES : [xxx]. mi correo electrnico ES : [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- ViÑA Del Mar, CA, USA

problem #97

Mar 072013

Durango

  • 107,973 miles

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

My passanger airbag light is on all the time even after recall was done. My 05 Dodge Durango stalls randomly while backing up, pulling into parking spaces, making turns sometimes driving down the road. No accident as of yet been going on the hole time I've had this vehicle I am sick of it 2013 to 2020

- Penn Yan, NY, USA

problem #96

Nov 302014

Durango 8-cyl

  • miles
The contact owned a 2005 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact struck an unknown object in a construction zone. The air bags deployed, but did not remain inflated and popped. The air bags released a chemical upon deployment, which entered the contact's eyes and landed on the top of his head. The contact stated that the chemical burned his eyes and scalp. The contact's head struck the steering wheel and caused him to experience a concussion and whiplash. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was unknown. Consumer states that accident was caused by debris left in the road from a flatbed. Consumer says that the air bag exploded on contact and metal and chemicals were released. Consumer received burns, blows to head, face, eyes, irritated lungs. In addition consumer had a shoulder injury, hip injury, and loss of hair.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #95

Mar 022019

Durango

  • 160,000 miles
Takata recall # 16V-352 manufacturer recall #543 regarding the failure of air bag deployment effecting by extreme humity

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #94

Feb 152019

Durango

  • 166,000 miles

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

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 #93

Jun 082016

Durango

  • 195,000 miles
My mothers 2005 Durango flipped 7 times in champaign co. Ohio. It killed her. The Durango folded in like a pop can. And her seat belts failed. She always wore them. However the report said she did not have them on. I know she did the mark across her body at the corners showed it was on! and not 1 air bag deployed not 1. she lost controll of the vehicle and it began flipping 7 times. Hate Durangos there not safe and it is the reason my mom didnt stand a chance at living threw the accident. Most likly caused by Durango junk. U people should stop lying to people you wouldnt let your family drive one!!!! so why sell this garbage. How dare you. From champaign co. Ohio was my mother. She is now dead. And nothing is the same and it never will be. Thanks a lot [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Brownstown, IN, USA

problem #92

Feb 012015

Durango

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While operating the vehicle, the passenger side air bag indicator remained illuminated, which was a safety concern. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

problem #91

Mar 102009

Durango

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (gettel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 2323 tamiami trail, punta gorda, fl 33950, (941) 347-6706) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Northpoint, FL, USA

problem #90

May 102018

Durango

  • 204,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact blacked out and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. Two occupants received minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home awaiting to be examined by an insurance adjuster; therefore, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 204,000.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

problem #89

Apr 112018

Durango

  • 174,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While driving 40 mph, the driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed without an impact occurring. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a cement block. The driver sustained back, neck, and shoulder injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The driver stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, but was not inspected by the insurance company to determine if it was destroyed. The local Dodge dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing of the air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

problem #88

Feb 162018

Durango

  • 100,000 miles
My car caught on fire from the hood area (I have photos) and air bags never deployed. I took my car in and the air bags were replaced but never deployed and car is a total lost due to fire.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #87

Dec 242017

Durango

  • miles
"takata recall" I'm handicap, trying to get airbags replaced, keep getting run around, dealers no help, finally one dealer says parts are on order, but still no results, have been over 1 year, I'm still recieving recall letters in mail, frustrated, need vehicle fixed,

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #86

May 102017

Durango

  • 95,000 miles
Takata recall. I took my vehicle in to have this recall fixed and was told it was repaired. Then I received another notice and was informed by the dealership they would contact me when they had the parts. I was never contacted and moved but still have the same number. Now I receive all this information about the danger and this vehicle is my wife and children's primary source of transportation. I fear for their lives while driving this vehicle, especially after watching the video. Also during the same time frame of this recall, my electronics on the vehicle began acting erratically. They still do occasionally but we have to drive it nonetheless. The instrument cluster will go dead with no lights or gauges working, the a.C. will blow heat only or stop, the alarm goes off on its on, etc. All this while it is still running and drivable but you don't know how fast! right now it's acting somewhat normal. I really feel I was wronged in buying this vehicle! the date I listed was the first time it happened but it has happened several times after that up to last month.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #85

May 132016

Durango

  • 268,000 miles
I was driving straight down beltline line road and my foot slipped off the break and onto the gas. I T boned another car in which my air bag did not deploy. I totaled my car and the other car. I went to the hospital with a severe concussion and back pain.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #84

May 252015

Durango

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V313000 and 16V352000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. On several occasions, the contact called smolich motors (1865 U.S. 20, bend, or 97701 (541) 389-1177) and was informed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer stated that the parts were available and the vehicle could be repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Redmond, OR, USA

problem #83

Aug 242017

Durango

  • miles
Takata recall...........Dodge still hasn't replaced the affected air bag

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #82

Jul 132017

Durango

  • 75,000 miles
"takata recall" I took the Durango to orange coast Dodge in costa mesa to fix the recall. They inserted a diagnostic device that showed that the air bag system was off line. No warning light was showing on the dash. When starting the vehicle the airbag light and the restraint system indicators on the dash light up for a few seconds then go off. The dealer ran a diagnostics and found that the airbag system was not initialized and that the warning light does not come on because the vehicle computer cannot connect to the system. He said its as if the system is not installed. The service associate said that he's seen this before and doesn't know for sure how it happens - maybe a voltage spike or battery issue. They performed the recall, initialized the system, tested and say everything works. Cost me $155. How will I know for sure that my airbags are online if the indicators don't show me? I had a front end collision in the vehicle in 2015 and the airbags did not deploy - see attached photo. After the collision the transfer case motor was stuck in 4 wheel drive mode even though the switch is in AWD position. At no time have I seen any indicator on the dash that shows the air bags or restraint system not working.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #81

May 262016

Durango

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was not provided. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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