Dodge Durangos are synonymous with class-leading towing capacity, powerful performance, and roomy space. But do all models deliver equal quality and performance? Not at all! If you want to own this three-row SUV, avoid these worst years of Dodge Durango.
In This Article:
What Year Dodge Durango To Avoid
From the first to the third generation of Dodge Durango, the 1999-2000, 2004-2005, and 2011-2014 models are considered the worst years with poor reliability ratings. Common problems include engine failure, electrical issues, faulty suspensions, and fuel system defects.
1999 Dodge Durango
Believe it or not, as of 2025, the NHTSA has recorded 2,043 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Durango, more than half of which are related to suspension problems. Its suspension system is the breeding ground for a variety of issues, including broken ball joints, loud noise, faulty bushings, worn wheel bearings, malfunctioning tie rods, and more.
This issue infects other parts, like tires and steering wheels. Numerous owners complained about premature tire wear that cost them a replacement of all four tires. Some even shared that their wheels almost fell off, which was extremely dangerous. Others experienced stiff steering or even loss of steering power.
Engine problems are also a recurring theme for this Durango model. The car frequently stalls midway without any warning in advance. Worse yet, as the engine shuts off, drivers also notice a loss of brake and steering power. Owners have to replace many components, such as crank sensors, ECM, PCM, and fuel pumps.
2000 Dodge Durango
The 2000 Dodge Durango is the next one to join the over-1,000-complaint team, with 1,116 complaints and 4 recalls on NHTSA up to now. The suspension failure remains the main source of concern.
To address this widespread problem, Dodge issued two suspension-related recalls. The first one affected over 592,000 vehicles, involving the excessively worn upper ball joints. The broken joints caused not only clunking noises but also loss of control. In the worst-case scenario, the wheels might come off the vehicle. The second recall was related to the defective wheel hub assembly. Improper placement led to brake rotor noise, excessive shaking, and even wheel separation.
Another notable problem stems from the transmission system. According to many owners, it’s hard to shift into gears, and sometimes, the transmission completely fails. Under the hood also harbors severe engine issues, especially engine stalls and unintended accelerations. Sometimes, the SUV can restart after several minutes, but in other cases, it completely shuts off.
2004 Dodge Durango
With 9 recalls and 1,114 complaints on NHTSA to date, the 2004 Dodge Durango is downright one of the worst models in the second generation. Dodge has done a great job in solving the suspension and engine problems, yet issues start to rear their ugly heads in other components like airbags and the electrical system.
Some drivers spot the airbag warning light coming on without specific reasons, while some report that all airbags fail to deploy in the event of a crash. Surprisingly, the automaker recalled nearly 9 million vehicles due to the defective frontal airbag inflators that could burst and injure occupants. However, they didn’t mention the exact reason for the airbag unemployment issue.
Electrical problems are also worth mentioning, including malfunctioning windshield wipers, premature battery and alternator replacement, faulty interior lights, flashing oil lights, flickering Check Engine lights, defective transfer case actuators, etc.
Besides, common complaints reflect that engine stalls continue to raise concerns among drivers. Their cars run roughly, keep shutting down, or experience engine misfires.
2005 Dodge Durango
The 2005 model is another step back in the Dodge Durango lineup. According to the NHTSA, it has accumulated 9 recalls and 1,567 complaints as of 2025. This SUV also inherits common issues from previous models, like airbag, engine, and electrical problems. Adding to the concern are issues in the fuel system and the transmission system.
At the heart of the trouble is the defective fuel tank that keeps splashing out gasoline from the fuel filler neck. The fuel then finds its way to other parts of the vehicle and even leaks out on the ground while parking. Dodge conducted 2 recalls to address this issue, announcing that the faulty fuel tank filler tube inlet check valve was to blame. The valve can’t fully close after topping off the gas, and the fuel leaks can pose a fire hazard.
That said, this safety issue remains a pet peeve among drivers. When we replenished the fuel during our test drive, the gasoline kept spilling out and even splashing into us. We brought the car to a dealer and were asked to replace the gas cap, but nothing worked.
Another problem that we, as well as many other owners, experienced is the problematic powertrain. We noticed that the SUV switched from AWD to 4WD on its own. This unexpected shift led to a sudden drop in speed, which was extremely dangerous, especially on the highway or crowded streets.
2011 Dodge Durango
The first third-generation Durango doesn’t have a good reputation regarding reliability. Up to now, 8 recalls and 789 complaints have been recorded on NHTSA. The fuel system issue still pops up in some vehicles, but it’s no longer the main source of concern.
Instead, problems with the electrical system have become a new nightmare for drivers. This issue comes in various forms, from illuminated dashboard warning lights, loud noise from the engine bay, failed/melted alternators, and dead batteries to smoke or even fire coming out from the hood. These severe symptoms explain why Dodge has to issue 6 recalls related to the electrical system.
Besides, owners also witness a comeback of the engine problem. The car tends to shut off unexpectedly at low speeds, such as when approaching corners, waiting for traffic lights, or coming into parking. When they rev up from a full stop, the vehicle displays rough idling and jerky. In some cases, the car dies completely midroad.
2012 Dodge Durango
The 2012 Dodge Durango follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, with 10 recalls and 632 complaints on NHTSA as of this writing. Engine and fuel system failures are recurring reliability issues but not as common. Meanwhile, the electrical problems continue to disappoint many owners, including us.
When our 2012 Durango accumulated 50,000 miles on its odometer, it started to display numerous issues. First, the battery warning light flashed on the dashboard, followed by a strong smoke odor from under the hood. When we checked the engine bay, we noticed the alternator turned burning hot with white smoke around it. The dealer said that we needed to replace both the alternator and the PCM, which was not cheap at all.
Besides, some owners experienced braking issues. When driving at low speed, the car sometimes slows down independently without the brake engaged. Other times, drivers notice a complete loss of braking power. Dodge issued 2 recalls that involved incorrectly placed and corroded brake boosters. Both cases lead to a loss of braking power.
2013 Dodge Durango
The 2013 Dodge Durango doesn’t fare much better, with 11 recalls and 622 complaints. Basically, this model shares the same issues with the 2012 Durango. Common issues include defective electrical systems, faulty fuel systems, engine problems, and braking failure.
Problems also stem from the headrest. Some drivers reported this part suddenly exploded and caused injuries. That’s not all; the headrest airbags in some SUVs deploy without any accidents or impact. In both cases, it poses a danger to occupants.
Inspecting Dodge’s recalls, we also noticed issues with fuel pump relays and alternators, which are the culprits behind engine stalls. Also, there’s a likelihood of a short-circuit in the sun visor’s vanity lamp wiring, increasing the risk of fire.
2014 Dodge Durango
Wrapping up this list is another third-gen Durango, the 2014 model. As of 2025, it has received 753 complaints and 11 recalls on NHTSA. The car is still plagued by the electric system, engine, headrest, and airbag issues. However, it’s the malfunctioning exterior lighting that contributes to most of the complaints.
The SUV’s racetrack tail lights are prone to water infiltration due to improper seals. This caused the lights to burn out prematurely, requiring frequent replacement. We’ve been there. When driving the 2014 Durango in the rain, we often had to pull over and loosen the tail lights to drain out the water. Otherwise, they would all develop a short, posing a road hazard if vehicles in the back couldn’t detect our car.
Another problem revolves around seatbelts. There’s an error in the seatbelt assembly that hinders it from retracting properly. But the worst thing is that the warranty doesn’t cover this failure. In our case, we had to pay nearly $400 for the repair.
Common Problems With Dodge Durango
Here are the common problems with the Dodge Durango across the various model years:
- Suspension issues (1999–2000): Chronic suspension failures plagued the early models, especially 1999 and 2000, with broken ball joints, faulty bushings, and worn wheel bearings leading to tire wear, stiff steering, and even dangerous wheel detachments.
- Engine stalling and loss of power (1999–2005, 2011–2013): These models often experience engine stalling without warning, which can also result in the simultaneous loss of steering and braking power, frequently traced back to failing sensors or faulty control modules.
- Transmission issues (2000, 2005): Owners reported difficulty shifting gears or complete transmission failure, sometimes leading to dangerous scenarios where the vehicle lost power or switched drive modes unexpectedly.
- Airbag malfunctions (2004–2014): Airbags in many models either failed to deploy in crashes or deployed unexpectedly (e.g., exploding headrests), increasing injury risk. A large recall addressed faulty inflators, but other airbag issues persisted.
- Electrical system failures (2004–2014): These include flickering lights, defective alternators, smoking engine bays, dead batteries, and even fires under the hood, prompting multiple recalls and major repairs.
- Fuel system leaks (2005, 2011–2013): Especially in the 2005 model, fuel often splashes out due to a faulty check valve in the filler neck, creating fire hazards. Later models saw similar issues due to faulty fuel pump relays.
- Braking problems (2012–2013): Sudden deceleration or complete loss of braking power has been a problem in recent years, often linked to corroded or misaligned brake boosters.
- Malfunctioning tail lights (2014): The 2014 model’s distinctive racetrack tail lights are prone to water infiltration, causing shorts and burnt-out lights, which pose a road hazard and require frequent, costly replacements.
- Headrest and seatbelt defects (2013–2014): Headrests have reportedly deployed or exploded without impact, and seatbelts sometimes fail to retract properly, with repairs not covered under warranty.
FAQs
What Is The Best Year For Dodge Durango?
Newer models, including the 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2020 onward, are reliable full-size SUVs.
How Long Does A Dodge Durango Last?
With regular maintenance, you can expect these SUVs to last from 200,000 to 250,000 miles.
