FaultScore

2001 Dodge Durango acceleration problems

20 of the 964 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Durango are about the throttle and cruise control — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 41,042 miles.

A

20

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 14 70.0%
Cruise Control 4 20.0%
Accelerator Pedal 2 10.0%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Dodge Durango year

1998 14 4.8%
1999 38 13.1%
2000 26 9.0%
2001 20 6.9%
2004 50 17.3%
2005 43 14.9%
2007 10 3.5%
2011 19 6.6%
2012 24 8.3%
2013 17 5.9%
2015 18 6.2%
2017 10 3.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 16,000 miles Dayton, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY WHOLE TIRE CAME OFF, LITERALLY SEPARATED FROM AXLE.. DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED.. BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. AND SHAKES. I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED COMING OUT OF DRIVE THRU.. AFTER I PAID THE TRUCK OFF IT WAS DOWNHILL FROM THERE.

NHTSA complaint #11084503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Lufkin, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AT 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FIFTEEN OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

NHTSA complaint #10638552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Haven, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BOUGHT VEHICLE ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND MY HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE WORKING AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TOOK CAR HOME AND WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND OUT THAT HORN DIDN'T WORK AFTER ALMOST GETTING INTO AND ACCIDENT, SO NOW I NO LONGER HAVE A HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL ON MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10504622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Orange, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM OWNER OF A 2001 DODGE DURANGO SLT EXPERIENCE SIMILAR PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A SERIES OF UN-COMMANDED RPM SURGES WHILE IN AND OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. THE SURGE WOULD BE AS MUCH AS 800 RPM AND ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT MORE THAN ONCE. IT TOOK THE DEALER FIVE SERVICE CALLS TO FINALLY DISCOVER THE PROBLEM. THE DISCOVERY HAPPENED ONLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON LONG ENOUGH FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DOWNLOAD AN ERROR CODE FROM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). THE SURGE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILING AND/OR FAILED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS). THE TPS RECENTLY FAILED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THE SURGES DID NOT EXCEED 300 RPM BEFORE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. AS IN THE INITIAL FAILURE, AND EVEN THOUGH THE TPS WAS SUSPECT, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PCM WAS NOT PROGRAMMED TO DETECT A FAILING TPS. AS A RESULT, THE PCM CONTINUED TO REACT TO SPURIOUS SIGNALS FROM THE TPS, RESULTING IN UN-COMMANDED RPM INCREASE WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL A HARD FAILURE OF THE TPS WAS DETECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10316449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Felton, DE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

THE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY 2001 DODGE DURANGO ACCELERATES AND BRAKES CONSTANTLY. SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS SINCE THERE WAS NOT A RECALL THAT I AM AWARE OF.

NHTSA complaint #10205748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Anna, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VERY FRUSTRATING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH RPM FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN WHEN I HAVE NOT, AND I REPEAT NOT, MOVED MY FOOT DOWN ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS IN USE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN DISAPPEARS. VERY SCARY, HAVE ALMOST CRASHED A FEW TIMES WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. WORST THING IS THE PROBLEM CAN'T ALWAYS BE REPRODUCED FOR ANYONE TO BELIEVE ME!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10202462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,500 miles Loveland, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE DURANGO R/T THAT HAS HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END. I KNOW THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES. TWO OF WHICH ARE FROM MY LOCAL DEALER AND I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THEY WANT IT DONE AGAIN. I ALSO KNOW THAT MY LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOT AND IS DEFINITELY A COMPLICATION OF THE UPPER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ON THE SAME PIVOT POINT. ALSO MY UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEIZING UP AND CAUSING NOT ONLY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF NOISE BUT A SEVERE AMOUNT OF WHEEL HOP WHILE AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE CORNERING AND HITTING THE EXPANSION JOINT OF A BRIDGE OR OTHER HIGHWAY BUMP THE TRUCK SEEMS TO WANT TO BOUNCE FROM LANE TO LANE. I ALSO HAD A DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SHOCK BREAK IN HALF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK. I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM THE BIT LEAST WORRIED ABOUT IT. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROGRAM OR ANY FOLLOW UP PROCEDURE THAT I COULD BE INVOLVED WITH AND HE WAS QUICK TO SAY NO. HE ALSO INSTRUCTED ME THAT I COULD DO ONE OF TWO THINGS, I COULD HAVE THE BALL JOINTS CHANGED FOR THE FOURTH TIME OR GET RIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I ASKED HIM IF THIS WAS DODGES SINCE ON THE WHOLE PROBLEM BY OFF LOADING THE VEHICLE ONTO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON AND HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. HE JUST REPEATED HIMSELF. I AM A AIRCRAFT MECHANIC BY TRADE AND I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THE FAA AND THE NTSB WOULD HAVE GROUNDED EVERY AIRCRAFT THAT WAS AFFECTED IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS SUCH A DOUBLE STANDARD WITH THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY. I DRIVE AROUND MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE TO INCLUDE MY 5 MONTH OLD SON AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH JUST READING THE STORIES ONLINE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH. I HOPE IT HASN'T HAPPENED BUT WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED WITH DODGE, (MULTIPLE DEATHS WITH THIS $30,000 LEMON) THANK YOU MIKE AUDAS.

NHTSA complaint #10132910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Andover, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE STEADILY ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint #10115189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsley, MI Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. VEHICLE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ONE COLLISION, AND WAS BEING SUED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES.

NHTSA complaint #10073992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reseda, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

CONSUMER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY HAD TO INSERT A PLATE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE LIGHT STAY OFF. ALSO, AFTER VEHICLE WAS WORKED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY GRABBED. WHEN CONSUMER FINALLY WAS ABLE TO APPLY BRAKES THEY ALMOST THREW HER PASSENGER THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. HOWEVER, PASSENGER DID NOT GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE HE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DEALER TOLD HER THAT THIS INCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT THEY PUT INTO VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10072015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,084 miles Sicklerville, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

CLOCK SPRING FAILURE-SAME SCEANARIO AS CURRENT NHTSA INVESTIGATION INVOLVING DAIMLER CHRYSLER MINI-VANS. FAILURE RESULTED IN A NON-WARRANTY COVERED EXPENSE OF $219.42 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA complaint #10056652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Phila., PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10052971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Worcester, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2001 DURANGO R/T. SECOND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION (11/26/03) @ 35000 MILES. HANDLED BY DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHY OR HOW TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. RPM TACHOMETER RACES BETWEEN 100 - 800 RPM DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDING LOAD, LIGHT LOAD, FLAT TERRAIN, AND OCCASIONALLY DOWN HILL WHEN DRIVING OF SPEEDS GREATER THAN 45 MPH IN DRIVE AND OVERDRIVE. EXCESSIVELY HARD CLUNG WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND BETWEEN 2ND AND 1ST. 1ST FAILURE (2/6/02) WAS BEFORE PCM AND TRANSMISSION FLASH RECALLS @ 20000 MILES. SERVICE MANAGER INSISTED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL THING AND HIS JEEP DID THE SAME THING. AFTER MUCH CONVINCING THAT I WOULD PREFER THE OPINION OF A TECH INSTEAD DID THEY TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR AN ADDITIONAL WEEK THAN WHAT WAS PROMISED FOR DELIVERY. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN GARAGE FOR THE 2 WEEKS AND WHEN PICKED UP ALL PERSONAL ITEMS, ELECTRONICS, TIRE JACK, ETC WAS MISSING (~ $2700 WORTH) AND ACCUSING ME OF LEAVING MY DOORS UNLOCKED (DID NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND HIS POINT AND AURGUEMENT SINCE IT SAT IN THE DEALERSHIPS GARAGE FOR THE 2 WEEK DURATION). SINCE ... TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO PARK AND OCCASIONALLY DRIVE, VERBALLY TOLD NOT A BIG DEAL BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING FLASHED. NOTICED VEHICLE SURGING WITH RPM INCREASE AFTER DRIVING A WHILE. OH, BY THE WAY, YEA, THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED AT ~18000 MILES TOO (10/2002)!

NHTSA complaint #10049616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Modesto, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR SURGES AT ABOUT 55 MPH. FOUR DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND CLAIM THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

NHTSA complaint #10045634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roswell, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10011556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glassboro, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, BACKING VEHICLE OUT, IT STARTED TO TRAVEL FAST DUE TO GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL BEING TOO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8010452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodlands, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1) CAR RACES AS IF IN HIGH GEAR (WHILE IN REVERSE AND THEN IN DRIVE) BUT WON'T MOVE UNLESS YOU FLOOR IT. AFTER 200FT. OF FLOORING IT ..IT DROPS INTO GEAR AND RUNS NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT SPECIFIC TO COLD WEATHER BUT ENGINE IS USUALLY COLD.. 2)PROBLEM IS COMMON TO DURANGOS...CAR SHIFTS FREELY FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT HAVING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #761839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allen, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP OR WHEN ACCELERATING, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #564246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allen, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP OR WHEN ACCELERATING, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #564246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PUT ALL THE WAY INTO PARK POSITIONING, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT INDICATE IT IS IN ANY GEAR AT ALL. THERE IS A SQUARE WHICH SURROUNDS THE P, D, N, ETC. ON THE GEAR INDICATOR, AND NONE OF THEM WILL BE OUTLINED. IN ADDITION TO SOMETIMES NOT INDICATING THE CAR IS IN GEAR, IT CAN BE IN A DIFFERENT GEAR THAN INDICATED. IT CAN SAY IT IS IN DRIVE BUT WHEN ACCELORATOR IS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO ANYWHERE. IT SIMPLY REVS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL OVER MY SMALL CHILDREN IF I THINK IT IS IN PARK BUT IT ACTUALLY ISN'T. THE VEHILCE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES AND I AM TOLD THIS HAPPENS BUT THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #753661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Dodge Durango problems

← Full 2001 Dodge Durango report