2001 Dodge Durango R/T from North America - Comments

Transmission Pan Gasket leaking at 28,000 miles.

Transmission not shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear (Intermittent problem starting at 32,000 miles).

Transmission will not engage the reverse gear at all (42,000 miles)

When I first bought this vehicle I thought it was the best SUV ever. I love the R/T package even though it is an expensive car to drive due to gas mileage (11mpg city 15mpg highway). I really had no need for a all wheel drive (4x4) SUV, but since all wheel drive came with the R/T package I wanted, it was what I got. I washed it every weekend and kept the interior immaculate.

When I purchased the vehicle I was warned by a mechanic friend of mine (who coincidently worked for a Dodge Dealership for over 15years) to make sure the fluids (oil and transmission) were checked and changed on a regular basis.

I took the vehicle in to have new tires installed at 28,000 miles, that is when they noticed a leak in the transmission drain pan gasket. This was replaced and I had the entire Transmission system flushed and filled with new fluid. Then when the transmission started having intermittent shifting problems I twice took it to the dealer and both times they were unable to duplicate the shifting problem and sent me on my way.

Finally the transmission suddenly stopped engaging the reverse gear and I was unable to go in reverse at all. This time the Dealership said I needed a new transmission. However since I am now over the initial 36,000 mile warranty they want me to pay for a new transmission. I contacted the Corporate office and they were less than enthusiastic about my condition, reiterating that I am beyond the warranty on the vehicle in a seemingly callous manner.

My Dream car has turned into a nightmare as I still love this vehicle when it is in running order. However I feel that for the price I paid for this exceptional vehicle that the corporation/dealer would be more obliged to assist me especially considering I did first bring up the issue within the warranty period and twice they turned me away saying the vehicle was in perfect running order.

My only deduction is that there is a serious problem with the Transmissions of these vehicles. There are many posts on the Internet about transmission problems with this vehicle and I always thought it couldn't happen to me as I take exceptional care of my vehicle. In the end it didn't matter, I feel let down by the people who made this exceptional vehicle.

Yeah there exceptional all right.. Exceptionally Unreliable. You should sell before it depreciates any more than it already has. The Durango R/T is a great concept damned by bad engineering, shoddy craftsmanship, and a company that won't stand behind their product or customers.

I own a 2001 Durango R/T, and have had no problems with it. I expect to have transmission problems with it, due to the fact I pull a trailer, as well as, plow with the vehicle. I pretty much keep up with the maintenance, but I let things go too long sometimes... I must just be lucky, but I beat my Durango fairly hard, and I have had no problems.

My 01 r/t is going into the shop with you guessed it transmission problems... They think the torque converter went bad!!!

I have a 2001 durango R/T YES you guessed it Transmissions problems. overdrive turns it self off then transmission temp light came on. I took it to the dealer and yes you guessed it $2900.00 to re-build it, the car is only 4 years old. I will not buy another, and the gas mileage!!!

I too own a 2001 Dodge Durango R/T and am having transmission problems. The transmission is slipping so I took it to the dealer and now $1K later, it's just as bad as it was in the first place. The Dodge transmission specialist said that it will cost more money for them to look further into the problem. Well, I'm not going back there. I also will not be buying another Dodge product.

My parents looked around for quite some time before selecting a 1999 Durango RT. I was so impressed with their Durango that I purchased a 2001 RT.

As soon as I purchased my durango, my parents began to have issues with theirs. They have have numerous problems including the following: failure of both front upper ball joints (They initially paid for repairs, but were issued a refund after a Factory Recall), a faulty rear A/C blower motor that howls when the roof of the car is hot (Dealer couldn't repair they just have to live with Egor until the sun goes down), premature wear out of the front brake rotors, faulty wiring, and complete failure of the transmission on 09/09/05 that cost a whopping $3400 to repair. The dealer mechanic said that he found bit of torque convertor material in the pan and that the front pump was trashed.

As for my Durango, I had a failure of both front upper ball joints (Factory Recall repaired at no charge), premature wear out of the front brake rotors, and my factory installed trailer light connector is shorted out. I can't wait until the tranny dies!!

00 dodge durango... no first gear took it to the dealer and they said it would be 1k just to look at and the damage could be up to 4k. I said forget it and am in the process of buying a toyota by the way only 50k miles.

I owe some gratitude to this website. I was leaning toward buying a used Durango to replace my old Dodge truck. The consistent complaints on the engine, transmission, ball joints, ignition electronics, and brakes are just too overwhelming to pass off as being from a few finicky owners, and I quit bothering to even consider a Durango. Even for a used car, I really expect something great for 15 grand, so I've decided to keep driving my '85 Ramcharger for as long as it lasts. What I can't understand is how Dodge could go from making a fabulous truck like the Ramcharger (check out this site's reviews on them---everybody who has one loves it) to making a reviled piece of junk like the Durango in only 6 short years. Dodge's small block V-8's were indestructible for 30 years, and now this "4.7L" seizes up driving down the road and the 5.7L is a gutless wonder?! I also don't understand how the Dakota can get such good reviews from owners, but the Durango, upon which it is based, is such junk. I know that in mass production, there will be some percentage of units that just don't come out right, but these Durangos seem to have a much higher than normal number of dogs.

Hi everyone.

I am from Germany and was thinking about buying a 2001 Dodge Durango. Gas is horrible expensive here, but the car looks awesome, I love the sound of a V8 and a dealer around the corner just has one on sale (Dodge does not sell officially in Germany).

After reading your comments, I think I will stick to my Volkswagen ;-) Must be hell to have problems like that and not even trained Dodge mechanics around.

Kurt.

I wish I had found this site before purchasing our 2001 Durango on Monday. It is now Friday and a whole gang were heading to Miami and had to stop in Pt Charlotte to rent a van. The transmission overheated and the light came on and it wouldn't shift into gear. They finally got it moving and are on the way to pick up the van. If these cars are lemons why doesn't the government get involved with these issues. I am all for the guy that made the Volkswagen comment. I have a Volvo that is almost 10 years old with over 150000 miles and have never had any problems with it. Hate to say buy foreign cars, but they seem to go on forever.

Yes, problem after problem with the transmission, and they don't seem to be restricted to one country!!

The other noteable fact is that problems do not seem to be restricted to vehicles that see heavy or hard useage. It seems even 'granny' is there with a broken Durango gearbox.

Of all the vehicles I've owned, the Durago stands only comparable to a Rover as the two most unreliable cars I have ever owned.

My sister has a 2001 Dodge Durango with 54,000 and has just informed me of her problem with the transmission. The dealer charged her $250 to diagnose the problem, and now says it will cost $900 to take out the transmission to further evaluate. They've quoted her up to $3500 for a new transmission.

After reading the postings on this website, I can see she's not alone with transmission problem!

What a racket.

I had a 2000 SLT with the 5.9L and 4 speed automatic. A mechanic friend told me there are two different 4 spd ATs used on Durangos and Dakotas with the 5.9L engine, one very reliable and one not. I bought the extended warranty and had a 2nd to 3rd gear shift valve hang up. I detected the problem, but the dealer couldn't replicate it the first time. When the sticky valve became stuck, however, they repaired it right away. I loved the truck, but never trust any US made vehicle without a factory extended warranty.

I now have a 2003 SLT 4.7L that I bought used from a Dodge dealer. You guessed it, I negotiated a price that allowed me to buy the extended warranty through Chrysler. For a $100 deductible I'm good to go for any repair. Buy American? Yes! Trust American? Not without insurance!

You want a trouble free vehicle for 80-90K miles buy Japanese. You'll pay a fortune upfront (Honda or Toyota) but the maintenance bills won't start until you hit 100K miles--that's when the wheels fall off.

I own a 2001 Durango R/T and have NEVER had transmission problems with it. Maybe it's because I always get the oil changed and make sure all of the fluids are checked. I love my durango and take pride in it.

To all the people having shifting problems W/THE DURANGO, before you go and spend two or three grand on a transmission, try taking the transmission relay, located under the hood, and bypassing it with two fusible links, one into port, 3-5 and one from 1-2.

You will still have the check engine light on, but see if it shifts properly. If it does, you can do as I did, and take it back to the dealer and ask them why they wanted $800 to try and fix it, or $3000 for another transmission, when it is apparent. I found this out after spending 650 on a governor pressure sensor and a transducer. I drove for about 3 miles before it started to do the same thing I brought it to the dealer. They said I need a transmission. NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS KNOW WHAT TO DO. TRY THIS, IF IT DOSEN'T FIX IT, THEN TAKE IT TO A TRANS SHOP.

And if it does fix it, then get the light checked on a scan tool.

CARDINAL, HOMOSASSA FL.