2005 Dodge Durango Reviews

2005 Dodge Durango 5.7 Hemi from North America

Model year2005
Year of manufacture2005
First year of ownership2008
Most recent year of ownership2012
Engine and transmission 5.7 Hemi Automatic
Performance marks 3 / 10
Reliability marks 3 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Dealer Service marks 8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 2 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
4.8 / 10
Distance when acquired80000 kilometres
Most recent distance185000 kilometres
Previous carGMC Sierra

Summary:

Needs massive improvements

Faults:

Tie rod end failed with no warning while I was travelling downhill. Nearly flipped the vehicle. Last straw for me.

Horrible gas consumption, but to be expected with the size, weight, and engine.

Electrical issues with turn signals.

Bad wheel bearings.

Infamous intermittent engine light constantly on and off. Sensor here, sensor there, sensor everywhere.

Too large to be full-time AWD.

General Comments:

Lots of power for this beast.

Very comfortable interior, extremely roomy vehicle.

Head-turner.

Never felt safe in the vehicle at long distances. Always something going wrong.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th June, 2013

2005 Dodge Durango SLT from North America

Year of manufacture2005
First year of ownership2005
Most recent year of ownership2009
Engine and transmission Automatic
Previous carDodge Intrepid

Summary:

This has been a reliable car for my family and I

Faults:

I have only had to spend money on the routine maintenance of my Durango.

General Comments:

I have been very happy with my vehicle.

I drive an hour each way to work every day. I would think that if there were any major issues, I would know by now. I've been driving this distance with it for 4 yrs.

I'm not criticizing anyone's issues with their Durango. I'm sure the problems are legit. I've just been very lucky.

And if anyone has negative feedback just because I have had good luck..... um, don't care.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th June, 2009

12th May 2010, 22:10

I have the exact same truck. I got it in 2008 and made several trips to California and to Chicago. It was a great truck until the transmission died. If you got the good one, I'm very happy for you. Ours was just going down the road a month after routine service and the tranny died while rolling down the road. Dangerous, and very frustrating. Not even Dodge will give us an explanation for what's wrong. "It's just how the Durangos work" was their response. I wish you luck!

2005 Dodge Durango SLT V8 from North America

Model year2005
Year of manufacture2004
First year of ownership2005
Most recent year of ownership2009
Engine and transmission V8 Automatic
Distance when acquired346 miles
Most recent distance130000 miles
Previous carDodge Durango

Faults:

While driving my 2005 Dodge Durango at approximately 60 mph, the oil light came on, which was followed by a clanking sound that became progressively louder.

I have always maintained upkeep on the vehicle with the same Dodge dealership. This happened on January 1, and due to the holiday, a mechanic will not be able to complete a diagnostic on it until January 5. I am praying this is not going to require a new or rebuilt engine.

This is our second Dodge vehicle. My husband drives a 2001 Dodge Dakota, which we purchased new and does not maintain the upkeep as I have with the Durango, which we purchased with 346 miles on it. I am in shock!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th January, 2009

2005 Dodge Durango Limited 4.7 from North America

Model year2005
Year of manufacture2005
First year of ownership2008
Most recent year of ownership2008
Engine and transmission 4.7 Automatic
Performance marks 9 / 10
Comfort marks 10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
9.5 / 10
Distance when acquired30000 miles
Most recent distance30000 miles
Previous carChevrolet TrailBlazer

Summary:

Overall, great SUV

Faults:

The brakes started "squealing" about a week after purchasing the truck. I plan on taking it to the dealership where the truck was purchased because it is still under warranty.

General Comments:

I have the Dodge Durango Limited (leather seats, sunroof, power seats/windows, fog lights, built in DVD player in the back seat). I have an 8 yr old and a 2 yr old and they each have PLENTY of space between them. The third row seating folds down to make additional room in the trunk.

Gas mileage is average (for an SUV of its size). I have only had the truck about a week, however I previously owned a Chevy Trailblazer (which gave me problems from the beginning) and I am SOOOOO glad I traded it in for the Durango.

Overall I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Durango!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2008

2005 Dodge Durango from North America

Year of manufacture2005
First year of ownership2006
Most recent year of ownership2008
Engine and transmission Don't Know
Reliability marks 3 / 10
Comfort marks 7 / 10
Dealer Service marks 4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 2 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
4.0 / 10
Distance when acquired43 miles
Most recent distance66000 miles
Previous carFord Explorer

Summary:

Oversold

Faults:

I have had the Dodge Durango in the shop twice now for issues dealing with the oil light and sludge in the engine. I took it just after 7 months of ownership to the dealership because my engine/oil light kept coming on and would not go off. After three oil changes, and being told that the engine had sludge in it, it finally went off. But not for good. It came on regularly thereafter.

Just a year later, I had it back to the dealership (a different one). It was towed this time. When I got it to the dealership they told me that the engine was full of sludge and that I needed to produce receipts for oil changes. It has been three weeks now and it's still in the garage.

General Comments:

Sludge seems to be a common issue with Dodge Durangos. I am having a difficult time believing that so many people can have the same issue.

The warranty will not cover my damage, and Chrysler is pointing the finger at the customer versus the car. So I owe 26k on a vehicle that is less than 2 years old, and needs the engine replaced.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th July, 2008

13th Mar 2009, 12:27

I am looking to buy a 2005, and wanted to take a look at some reviews before I made the investment. This is a 2005, the 3rd seat, looks very well kept. I have a large family, and need a vehicle that has the space that this truck has. I guess I am torn between the complaints and the "victory stories".

What I would like to know is this: If you were to buy another Durango, what would you pay for it? I understand that this is not your favorite vehicle... but if you had to buy another one... a 2005, what would you pay?

Last question: I do not see anywhere that any buyers issues began at a certain mileage "mark" so-to-speak, but... after a certain period of time. Is that accurate? I would hate to invest money into something like this when I just paid my car off. Unfortunately, it is a sports car, and it's impossible to stuff my family of 6 into it. SO... HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY & LENGTH OF TIME? OR MILEAGE POINT? Thanks for your honest help!

13th Mar 2009, 15:23

Here's how I would approach it: You sound nervous enough about the vehicle to ask some pretty serious questions. You might feel better if you listen to that nervous inner voice and just get something else. Your inner voice is telling you that if you buy a Durango, you are taking a risk. Right away that tells you that you would have to get a fabulous deal to make it worthwhile, like 30-50% of Blue Book.

Look at it like this: How much would you pay for a vehicle knowing that you might have to pay another $5,000 in repairs within 2 years. Go to Kelley Blue and compare prices for similar vehicles to the Durango. Then subtract $5,000 from the average price and there you go. Or look at it like gambling -- how much would you be willing to lose? Like if the engine or transmission went out within a year.

Risk assessment is difficult. All you can do is compare options to help decide what is reasonable.

Average review marks: 7.2 / 10, based on 15 reviews