CarComplaints.com Notes: The second generation Durango was introduced in 2004 and instantly came under fire for, well, catching on fire.

From 2004-2006 electrical overloading in the driver's side instrument panel caused numerous reports of interior fires. The interior infernos became so commonplace that Chrysler eventually issued a recall.

The problems didn't stop there, however. Owners of the recalled vehicles complained about being treated unfairly and given take-it-or-leave-it low ball settlement offers. "They offered me $2000 under NADA retail as a settlement," said one owner, "and have been rude and hostile to deal with." Nothing says awesome service like treating your customers rudely after their cars have already caught on fire.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
131,518 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Dodge Durango drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 7 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #49

May 142014

Durango 8-cyl

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Durango is one of hundreds possibly thousands of vehicles that has the transfer case mysteriously shifting on its own. It can be triggered by the unlock button, even the dome light. The transfer case is now shifting all the time in and out of position both when the vehicle is under operation and parked. The is dangerous and Dodge claims to know nothing. I spent 10 minutes and found hundreds of Chrysler vehicles with the same symptoms and no definitive answers. (google Dodge Durango svc 4WD light) please help.

- New Brighton, PA, USA

problem #48

Jun 232014

Durango 8-cyl

  • 137,000 miles
As I approached my vehicle and used the remote to open the doors, I heard a noise under the vehicle like gears were shifting on their own without the vehicle even running. I started the vehicle and started driving. When I went into a parking lot and turned left to park, it was like someone was putting on the brakes making it difficult for me to turn and to accelerate--felt like I was in 4WD despite not shifting to 4WD from AWD. I nearly hit the car next to mine because I had to accelerate so hard to get into the spot without getting hit from the rear. I turned the car off and let it sit for 1/2 hour and restarted it and drove home. When I let the car sit in the garage, I was in the garage and heard gears shifting on their own while the vehicle was not running. This has already happened 3 times and it is quite scary! if I try to turn left and this happens on the road, I could get into a serious accident.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #47

Jun 212014

Durango

  • 188,200 miles
Vehicle will illuminate "svc AWD" and the vehicle will automatically switch vehicle into different gears while driving on its on. One day the vehicle switched to 4lo while in drive, not changes were made. Another time while vehicle was parked, no key in the ignition, when hit the unlock button on the key you can hear the vehicle switching gears on its again! while making a sharp turn to park the vehicle switched into neutral on its on and was unable to drive or reverse. I put the vehicle in park waited a fe seconds restarted it and parked and the svc AWD light was still on. I have had the ignition switch replaced, along with the transmission and transfer case all within the first 6 months of 2014. The svc AWD light comes on and off on it own randomly. I am not sure what the issue is and neither does the dealer. I had the ignition switch changed at a palmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership and the svc AWD light is still on the vehicle continues to switch gears on its own.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #46

Oct 022013

Durango

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car started having problems with the 4 wheel drive. It would start jerking at slow speed whole turning (usually while parking). Shortly after that the 4lo light started flashing. The car would also make a sound while parked like something was trying to switch on, this would happen usually after using the keyless entry remote. I've done quite a bit of research and this seems to be a problem a lot of Dodge Durango owners have. I have since had the 4WD disconnected and have not had the problem but that's not a permanent fix.

- Lodi, CA, USA

problem #45

May 142014

Durango

  • miles
I have a 2005 Dodge Durango 4X4 that is suddenly kicking in on its own, vehicle parked key out still clicking and turning on and off. So the service 4 wheel drive came on as I was driving, then the vehicle switched in to 4 wheel drive and stuck. We towed this vehicle home then took to the transmission shop where are vehicle still sits 5 days later, can not find the issue, also when you click the alarm unlock and lock you can hear the transfer case engaging and disengaging, we have read lots of peoples reports of their vehicle doing the same thing on years 2004 & 2005 with the hemi motor, please if anyone finds out what is going on with theirs or if find any other suggestions then please write a post about it, , I think our next step is to go to Dodge and make them take this pos back.... or fix....

- Antelope, CA, USA

problem #44

Mar 122014

Durango 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The four wheel drive will engage and disengage with engine off and key out and will also engage while driving.

- Trinity, TX, USA

problem #43

Apr 032014

Durango 8-cyl

  • 126,502 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my 2005 Dodge Durango home on the freeway going 55 mph getting off on the off ramp the transfer case shifted into 4 low which in turn locked my wheels up (top speed in 4 low is about 30 mph), this nearly caused me to roll the vehicle. When I got off the off ramp the service 4X4 light was on then went off, went 2 more blocks came back on and shifted into 4 hi. The transfer case does shift on its own even while I am not in the vehicle with my key in my hand. I have read more complaints about this transfer case issue than I can count, it is not only the 2005 models doing this it has been happening well into the first generation Durango. Something has to be done about this before some one is seriously injured or killed. I was lucky this time I am afraid to take my wife and kids with me any where in it due to this problem. Please do something about this before some one is injured or killed.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

problem #42

Mar 252014

Durango

  • 96,000 miles
I was on my home from work going about 40mph. I got to a redlight before I stopped the SUV jerked. And when I press the gas peddle to go, the SUV would not move. I then tried to put it in another gear it was on but it still would not move. The police officer that pushed it out of the street said that it was the transmission. Also you can just be driving the SUV would just stop. This is very dangerous, and can cause accidents. On one occasion I had to nearly run off of the road to keep from having and accident. I think that Chrysler llc should replace my 2005 Dodge Durango. Being that I'm a single grandparent and now I have no transportation. So I can't get to work to provide for my granddaughter.

- Dania Beach, FL, USA

problem #41

Mar 122014

Durango

  • 132,000 miles
Vehicle switches in & out of 4WD on its own while driving, or puts itself into neutral on the 4WD, also hear something engaging when unlocking doors with remote when parked or remote won't work at all to unlock doors. Mechanic found lots of other mechanics working on same issue on a forum he subscribes too and I found tons of Durango & some pickup owners complaining of and trying to get the same issue fixed. I have had several other minor electrical issues in my Durango for the past two years so I am convinced this is an electrical issue.

- Berthoud, CO, USA

problem #40

Dec 202013

Durango 8-cyl

  • 181,000 miles
Driving down the highway and the 4X4 engages without warning. The vehicle begins to jump every 1/4 mile or so, slowed speeds to 25, continued to jump until I pulled to a complete stop and parked. Problem continued to occur every time I drove even if I never went any faster than 25mph. I took the vehicle to where I had a warranty and after them keeping my Durango for over a month and a half they said there were metal shavings in compartment for the transfer case and the transfer case was replaced under the warranty, however there is a transfer case shift motor that is not covered because they say it is outside of the transfer case. They said even if I pay the hundreds of dollars to replace this part, the problem will continue to happen. I want the problem fixed and I would like to be reimbursed because I've seen thousands of people complaining of this problem all over the internet. I refuse to pay for something Dodge should be responsible for because it is a defect of their vehicle.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #39

Mar 152012

Durango

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

4X4 locks up when turning end result broke my transfer case.

- Hobbs, NM, USA

problem #38

Dec 172012

Durango

  • 90,000 miles
At various times for no particular reason, the vehicle switches in and out of 4-wheel high and low. The issue began with it off, there was a audible mechanical shifting coming from what appeared to be the transfer case. After that the issue began getting worse and worse, several mechanics have looked at it and were unable to identify what the issue was. Recently, the vehicle has begun shifting into neutral at 45 mph+, at that point a loud metal grinding sound begins and does not stop until the vehicle is slowed to < 25 mph when the vehicle slams into gear, which is usually 4 wheel low. The vehicle will no longer shift into any chosen mode, it chooses its own mode at random. At times if the vehicle is stuck in 4 wheel low putting it into neutral and then into reverse can help to switch the vehicle back into AWD or at lease 4 wheel high.

- Alamogordo, NM, USA

problem #37

Dec 052013

Durango 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
First sign of problem, when pulling into driveway or parking spot doing either a left or right hand turn, my 2005 Dodge Durango would not turn even after applying more gas than usual, my truck actually stopped as if the brakes were engaged. Then, while driving I noticed my 4lo light coming on intermittently, also when I either lock or unlock my truck with the remote I hear a clicking sound underneath the truck like something is engaging. You can also hear this switch sound under the car even when the car is off. Seems like the transfer case motor is switching on its own regardless of the vehicle being on or off. Also some sort of electrical problems when it rains...

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #36

Dec 032013

Durango

  • 112,000 miles
2005 Durango has been stalling at various times for the past 3 weeks. The whole car turns off. Lights....everything. Mechanic, transmission specialist and Chrysler dealership have no idea why. It has only happened at low speeds either going in reverse or going forward. It usually happens when you start driving the car but it has happened after driving it for a little while. It can also go for days without happening. The only code is a the number 6 cylinder misfire but everyone agrees that one cylinder misfiring would not result in the car going dead. The throttle body has been serviced and software has been updated and it continues to stall. We have spent $600 on repairs and car rentals and I still have no car. Chrysler dealer has had the car for almost two weeks.

- Lansdale , PA, USA

problem #35

Dec 022013

Durango

  • 89,402 miles
I have a 2005 Dodge Durango 4X4 that is suddenly kicking in on its own, vehicle parked key out still clicking and turning on and off. This happens enough some nights that in the morning the battery is dead. I read the forums and thousands of people are saying the same thing and no real answer. Many complaints filed to Chrysler with no answer. Kicks into 4 wheel drive while in motion at 65 mph on the highway.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #34

Oct 312013

Durango 8-cyl

  • 112,085 miles
My 2005 Dodge Durango 5.7 hemi has had a vast amount of stalling. I was going to pick my son up and the throttle light and the engine light came on. The throttle light was blinking. I would just be driving and it would die. This is a serious matter and if Dodge is not made accountable someone could be hurt. I had my Durango towed to a Dodge dealer and was told it was the egr valve. So I had that replaced along with new spark plugs and wires. It was fine for a week then it did the exact same thing on a very busy road. It would start then die. So I had it towed a second time to the Dodge dealer. This time I was told it had pulled 12 codes but they were not active but just stored codes. The dealer could not diagnose my Durango. I was told they also checked the wiring and could not find anything. So I paid for the diagnostic and was told it never acted up on the mechanic. So again a week later it did the same thing and so we replaced the electronic throttle control. It ran ok for a week and now it is doing the exact same thing. It stalled on the interstate and my husband was nearly hit. Can someone please look into this with Dodge before someone gets hurt. The dealer cannot find what is wrong with my truck.please someone help figure this out I saw all of the complaints on line for this exact same problem.and also with mine this happened on more than one occasion.

- Columbus, IN, USA

problem #33

Nov 292013

Durango

  • 124,000 miles
Has occurred multiple times. Initially my 05 Durango would stall when pulling into parking spaces. Has progressed to normal driving conditions at around 35 mph while turning the engine will shut off. Occasionally the rpms will jump up and down too. Engine idles around 500rpm. When this first occurred there were no warning lights illuminated. I just don't feel like this is a safe vehicle at this point in time and based off of the other reports, Dodge should investigate and repair at no cost.

- Exeter, NH, USA

problem #32

Nov 052013

Durango

  • 192,345 miles
The truck even when unlocking the doors or driving will engage into 4 wheel dr without activating anything many internet post have stated this problem I guess Dodge won't do anything until something happens and they get sued.

- Boca Raton , FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 012011

Durango

  • 70,000 miles
2005 Durango 4.7 V8 hemi my vehicle randomly shuts down on its own, locking the steering column, when slowing down and turning at the same time as when coasting into a parking space or coming to a stop. Also, on some of these occasions, all interior electrical components seem to go out, inst panel, radio, fan/blower, etc. Brought in multiple times for inspection, they say they find nothing. In last 6 months, 4WD light blinks as if its changing from AWD to 4WD on its own, sometimes can hear it engaging under car when using key fob locking or unlocking, and when turning into a parking spot it feels like it changed to 4lo as its almost skipping/hopping like trying to take a turn with 4WD and rpms go way up like I'm in a low gear. Many, many of the same complaints on Dodge forums with many people just throwing money at it and having multiple things replaced etc, just to find out its not fixed. Needs to be recalled soon.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #30

Sep 232013

Durango

  • 123,000 miles
Was driving down the road and the 4X4 engaged without the switch being touched. It has done this numerous times now even when it is parked in the driveway and the vehicle is off. I can here it engaging into 4 wheel drive. Even when you hit the unlock button on the key you can hear the transfer case engage into 4 wheel drive. When this happens as you are driving down the down road it makes it very difficult to turn. I have read many other complaints on here for the same issue. This is going to end up causing an accident as it can shift into 4lo while going down the road.

- Montpelier, OH, USA

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