Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2009 Dodge Durango with NHTSA between 2010 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 22 of 28 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 1
Against the median year of the Dodge Durango. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Dodge Durango
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
323.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
215.4%
Median failure at 82,000 miles
Electrical System
215.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 145,000 mi
Seats
17.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 145,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,000 mi
Suspension
17.7%
Brakes
17.7%
Median failure at 28,500 miles
Steering
17.7%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Median failure at 88,527 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
225.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
225.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
225.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2009 Dodge Durango 4-DR. w/SAB
—
—
—
19.1% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2010peak 2Mar 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Dodge Durango
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2009 Dodge Durango
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20166581,109 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2015-228. Only Ram 3500 Cab Chassis models are affected. As Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly, the recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.
Recall 2016265459,492 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.
Recall 201304463,201 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the rear axle pinion nut could loosen and allow the rear driveshaft to detach from the axle, or fully detach from the vehicle. Pinion nut separation could also cause the rear axle differential to fail suddenly, causing rear wheel lockup. These issues could result in loss of propulsion, danger to other road users, loss of vehicle control and possible crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install a pinion nut retainer.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 145,000 milesTyrone, OKFire
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR TO PERFORM A BRIEF INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE UNDOUBTEDLY ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH MOVES THE SEAT. THE CHRYSLER ENGINEERS REVIEWED THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10631938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesTyrone, OKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR TO PERFORM A BRIEF INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE UNDOUBTEDLY ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH MOVES THE SEAT. THE CHRYSLER ENGINEERS REVIEWED THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10631938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesPortland, ORCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO HYBRID. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND ONCE THEY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE INSTRUCTIONS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING PRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS ONLY ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MINIMAL ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INSPECTED BY AN ENGINEER, BUT THAT HAD NOT HAPPENED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10368560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 28,500 milesLansdale, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE BOOSTER WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THERE IS A LOUD CLICK AT THE BRAKE PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN AIR PUMP SKINS AT THE FIREWALL WHEN CAR COMES TO A STOP. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE USE IS DEFINITELY REDUCED.
NHTSA complaint #11079060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
AIR BAGS
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. BEFORE THEY STARTED TO DO THE WORK THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS AN OLDER MODEL. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SAFETY REASONS AND THEY COULD DAMAGE MY CAR IN THE PROCESS! HOW UNFAIR ON THE PART OF THE CONSUMER TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE WHEN THEY ARE TAKING THEIR CAR IN FOR SAFETY REASONS! AND DODGE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN THE INTEGRITY OF THEIR OWN PRODUCT AT THE SAME TIME! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA!
NHTSA complaint #10949078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topeka, KS
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V947000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10946145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, IN
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, TAKING MUCH TOO LONG TO FIX OR GET PARTS. NOW THAT TAKATA HAS FILED BANKRUPTCY, I QUESTION WHETHER I'LL EVER SEE MY RECALL COMPLETED. I WANT OUT OF THIS POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP BUT CAN'T TRADE OR SELL UNTIL RECALL IS COMPLETE, I'M LOOSING MONEY EVERY DAY I HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING IT. HELP, I WANT SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION. WHO DO I NEED TO TALK TO TO GET SOME ACTION ON THIS MATTER?
NHTSA complaint #10908472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesDesmoines, IA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT FILL UP PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK 45 MINUTES FOR THE FUEL TANK TO BECOME FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A SCREEN INSIDE THE FUEL TANK THAT WAS FILLED WITH PARTICLES, WHICH BLOCKED THE FUEL FROM ENTERING THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK RUSTED, DUE TO THE GAS LEAK. UPDATED 10/04/16.
NHTSA complaint #10887858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mooresville, NC
SUSPENSION
THE TRUCK SUSPENSION SQUEAKS REALLY BAD AND NO OTHER VEHICLES I KNOW DOES THAT
NHTSA complaint #10767571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,527 milesSAN Rafael, CA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER FAILED. THE MECHANIC TRIED TO ORDER THE PART, BUT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE THIS HAD BEEN A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE PART ONCE IT BECAME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,527.
NHTSA complaint #10723234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesShelby Township, MI
STEERING
OVER THE YEARS , MY VEHICLE AD LOST TEMPORARY STEERING CONTROL WHENEVER I AM MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A STREET AND THERE IS STANDING WATER. THIS HAS HAPPENED AROUND FIVE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS.I KEEP MY FOOT IN THE GAS AN STEERING CONTROL WOULD RETURN .
NHTSA complaint #10644124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesTyrone, OKFire
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR TO PERFORM A BRIEF INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE UNDOUBTEDLY ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH MOVES THE SEAT. THE CHRYSLER ENGINEERS REVIEWED THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10631938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesTyrone, OKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR TO PERFORM A BRIEF INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE UNDOUBTEDLY ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH MOVES THE SEAT. THE CHRYSLER ENGINEERS REVIEWED THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10631938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Smyrna Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE MOTHER OF MY CHILD OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO THIS IS A NICE TRUCK BUT HAS SOME ISUES RACING IDLE TODAY IT STALLED AT 70 MILES MPH ON THE HIGHWAY BAD GAS MILIEGE I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ABOUT IT FOUND THEIR IS AN ISUE WITH EITHER ELECTRICAL OR THROTTLE BODY CLEANING. I READ COMPLAINTS ALL OVER NOBODY OR NOTHING TAKES CARE OF IT SHE ALSO HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THE TRUCK BECAUSE AT STOP LIGHT SHE SAID THE TRUCK IDLE RACED TO FOUR THOUSAND RPM AND TOOK OF ON ITS OWN HIT FIVE CARS BEFORE IT STOPED. HER FOOT WASENT EVEN NEAR GAS PEDAL I REALLY THINK ITS TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED
NHTSA complaint #10510512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesGlenmont, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE FILLING VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE THE TANK OVERFLOWED WHEN THE PUMP CLICKED OFF. GASOLINE RAN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND ONTO THE GROUND. HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, SAME ISSUE AS FOUND IN EARLIER MODEL GEN 2 DURANGO'S.
NHTSA complaint #10508405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesPortland, ORCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE DURANGO HYBRID. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND ONCE THEY PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE INSTRUCTIONS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING PRESSED. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS ONLY ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MINIMAL ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INSPECTED BY AN ENGINEER, BUT THAT HAD NOT HAPPENED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10368560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
