2001 Dodge Durango SLT Plus 4x4 from North America - Comments

At 3000 miles a small paint flaking was noticed under the passenger side front wheel flare. I dropped the car off at the Dodge service department had the wheel flare repainted in one day. No further paint issues other than stone chips in the front bumper.

Around the same mileage, slight rust was noticed around the front windows, but it is not from the door frame, just the window's metal retaining clips. The rust is barely noticeable. I scrape it away (from view every so often).

The interior plastic in the cargo area can be easily scraped by transporting large items that aren't secured, but that's why I bought it! I secure cargop now and have no further issues.

I have NOT experienced any engine, transmission, seat/window motor, alarm, or other functional problems and am quite pleased with the vehicle.

I am curious to know which specific engines and transmissions have had difficulties and if it is limited to a specific model year (s).

We have a 2001 Dodge Durango R/T. We have enjoyed ever minute of it since coming off the showroom floor. But, just recently we have started having all sorts of problems with the transmission. It is now parked in our garage not drivable. The first problem was: It ran of transmission fluid, for no apparent reason at all. We checked it regularly. We followed all the proper warranty maintainance for it. (We did not buy the "extended" warranty at purchase, We are kicking ourselves right now). The warranty on it was 36,000 miles or 3 years. Whichever came first. The mileage reads at 49,889 right now. The second problem, started slipping in the gears. This went on for quite some time. Meanwhile, checking fluid constantly. No problems! Third thing, it looses all gears on the way home from work. We pulled to the side of road. We had no drive gear, and no 2nd gear. We could only start it in 1st gear. Then we put it in reverse, then back to 2nd, then that kicked in, but still have no drive. We had to change the gears manually to get it to a gas station. (That was the only time the drive would eventually kick in). Transmission fluid reads full. So we coasted it home and had to change the gears manually. We called our mechanic friend. He came and found the problem, it was the "kick down/throttle cable, it had snapped. We purchased a new one also bought some expensive cleaner to put through it. We installed the part then proceeded to get the flush, fluid and filters, at the Mobil down the road. It still didn't fix the problem. We drove it a day, and now it is stuck in overdrive, with no 1st second or drive gears. Now I am thinking, throttle sensor. Lets get that replaced too. Then proceed to have the computer reset on it. I really think that the bands are fine, as there was no burnt smell. That's a must usually if the transmission has gone. I am so stumped. Has anyone out there had this happen? Please, ideas would be great, if anyone has them. I am convinced the transmission is not shot. It' got to be something simple.

I've been looking at getting a 2001 Durango RT, but trying to find out more about them. Right now it's a toss-up between the Durango and the newer Grand Cherokees. Personally, I'm a Jeep guy... But that third row seat would come in quite handy.

If you get fed up with your transmission problem and would consider selling yours, let me know.

I've got a 1999 Grand Cherokee Limited, love it. Recently went to a Jeep dealer and they say the 2006 Grand Cherokees are slated to have a third row seat! I'm looking for a Dodge for the same third seat in the mean time.

If your transmission is similar to what they put in Jeeps, that is, if it is electronically controlled through solenoids, then a solenoid may have gone bad. A bad solenoid would explain why it works in some gears some of the time, but not all the gears will work as they should or shift in the order they should.