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 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,818 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #172

Jul 172023

Durango

  • 252,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was not operating properly. The speedometer displayed 50 MPH while the vehicle was parked and the odometer turned blank, and the vehicle was stuck in FWD. The contact stated that the interior lights failed to turn off upon depressing the light switch. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong electrical wiring burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the burning odor was coming through the A/C vents on both sides of the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a nearby independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V092000 (Electrical system). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair was previously completed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 252,000.

- La Rue, OH, USA

problem #171

Jun 152022

Durango

  • miles
I have had my durango for about 2 years, one day I went to start it and it clicked as if battery had died. When I jumped it, it started right up. I noticed that my dash had a tire sensor light and a light saying Overhead lamp on. I turned my overhead switch and all my lights in the car turned on and then off when i turned switch.( normal) so I knew something was up. After doing some research I read about the recall. I Made an appointment on the 15th of June to get a recall for my instrument panel fixed. I dropped my car off at 7 am my appointment was at 8am. I called around 11:30 to get an ETA since I was on a time limit for work and live an hour away. The dealership called to tell me that he needed to take out cluster and test it and if it was cluster he would have to order it and it could be a few days. If it was fine it was a circuit Issue and he would need to fix it. Thank god my mother was in the same area visiting and was able to give me a ride home. He then called that evening and asked if I owned another Key/FOB. I told them I didn't and my fob has never worked since i purchased the vehicle. He stated that he got the recall all finished and fixed but now all the lights on my dash were flashing, my headlights the horn, flashers and something" went wonky" there. He then tried to tell me they needed to order a new fob to program it to my car and it was going to cost me almost $400. I told them I was not going to pay that amount and that it seems like they messed something up when they put it together. I picked up my car Friday the 17th and my tire pressure light was still on. After getting home and checking tires they were all fine. The next day I went to start my car and the Headlight lamp light came back onto my dash. I already had to take 2 days off work and now have to miss more to have this recall done right. I looked up my vin today the 20th and it says my recall is incomplete! To top it off they never gave me any paperwork or have me sign anything.

- Douglas City, CA, USA

problem #170

Mar 022022

Durango

  • miles
Was driving 2005 dodge Durango when it stalled and stopped running at a bottom of a hill. Would not start. Replaced idiole control sensor, starter, battery, crank shaft sensor and relays. Started ran for 30 minutes again just died in the middle of the road. Will not start. If someone would of come over the hills could of hit us with sever injury or possibly death. Still wont run crank over wont run.

- Blue Mound, KS, USA

problem #169

Jun 012021

Durango

  • 200,052 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose motive power while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who tested the battery and the alternator however, neither was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was called however, a representative was not able to be reached. The vehicle was not repaired. After searching online, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V092000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was 200,052.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #168

Jun 282021

Durango

  • miles
I have had problems with the 4 wheel/ all wheel drive engaging on it's own. The problem exists even when the vehicle is turned off when using the key fob to lock the vehicle. I have on a two occasions have the transmission shift into four wheel low while doing over 55 mph which made the vehicle slow down skidding drastically and made the engine hit high RPMs. After checking online for some Information I've found that it's a problem with many owners of 2004, 2005 and 2006 Durango and Dakota owners and found that the body control module, 4 wheel module and shift actuator was part of the faults. They had disconnected the wire harness to the shift actuator to remedy the chance of having an accident. I have done the same and looked into replacing faulty parts but also found that the fix was also temporary many owners reported the same problem just days after repairs. Please look Into this, it's dangerous and it's well known that this problem exists with many owners why has Mopar not addressed it. It will kill someone.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #167

Jun 112021

Durango

  • miles
Engine is intermittent stalling when driving or taking a sharp corner at Low speed. The vehicle engine has just stalled when driving at different speeds. No check engine lite on at all the engine just stalls and I can restart the engine almost all the time right away the repair facility has no idea what is going on. Need to get this figured out before an accident happens

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #166

Jan 202020

Durango

  • 108,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the TPMS warning display illuminated, even though the vehicle was not equipped with the feature. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 07V092000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to pinckney Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1295 E main St, pinckney, mi 48169, (734) 878-3154) where it was diagnosed with needing the instrument cluster to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and advised the contact to have the vehicle taken to an authorized dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

problem #165

Oct 162019

Durango

  • 171,000 miles
I have a 2005 Durango AWD 5.7 hemi and the other day I notice the 4lo blinking while driving and when I unlocked my doors you could hear something engauging when the vehical was off.

- Clarkston, WA, USA

problem #164

May 132020

Durango

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that his battery had died upon start of his vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was able to recharge the battery. Months later, the contact stated that the same failure recurred. The contact had the vehicle jump started and taken back to his independent mechanic who charged the battery again. Due to the ineffectiveness of the charge, the mechanic replaced the battery. Upon research, the contact discovered that the change over motor linked to the four-wheel drive feature could engage independently while the vehicle was turned off. The contact then linked his failure of his vehicle due to the fact that he could hear an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle once the vehicle was turned off. The contact also stated that the svc 4WD service light would illuminate intermittently upon start of the vehicle. Gill Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1100 S madera ave, madera, ca 93637) was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #163

Jun 032020

Durango 8-cyl

  • 166,000 miles
All of a sudden on 6/3/2020 my ignition switch decided to stop working to the point I was stranded at the grocery store because none of my keys wanted to work in the ignition, I couldn't turn my wheel to unlock I couldn't start my vehicle at all.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #162

May 022019

Durango

  • 134,588 miles

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

While driving, svc AWD light comes on, then goes out. No problem there but that is only the beginning. In a slow hard turn on reverse, the wheels seem to bind up with an uncontrolled lock into four wheel drive. With my research into this problem, I discovered many other people with the exact same problem. 72 pages of the same complaint !! some even tell the of car shifting into 4 wheel drive on the highway slowing the car into dangerously slow speed. I traced complaints back to 2004, all deal with the transfer case shift motor or the wiring controlling it. Also related to the A/C connection, or the AWD, 4 high and 4 low lock switch. I experienced the shift into four wheel drive in slow speed turning and backing but to have it shift into 4 lo lock during driving has me afraid to drive it at all. Over 350 complaints of the same problem, with only one web site sounds like a major design problem that Dodge has not addressed at all. Fyi I bought this car used at koch 33 dealer and they did not disclose the problem in advanced. Thanks rich

- Canadensis, PA, USA

problem #161

Feb 012019

Durango

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the four wheel drive engaged independently. Also, when the vehicle was slowed down, the steering wheel seized. The failures were experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who believed that the four wheel drive engaged independently due to an electrical switch failure. The contact inspected the vehicle himself and believed that the four wheel drive engaged independently due to a failure in the wiring harness behind the dashboard. The contact also stated that the heater blower motor failed. The heater blower motor remained on the high setting. The contact replaced the heater panel himself, but it did not correct the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

- Dedham, MA, USA

problem #160

Jan 202019

Durango

  • 207,522 miles
It switches into 4 high and 4 low all by its self. The vehicle can be off for hours and it still will do it. The scary thing is it will shift like that while delivering as well. Very dangerous, and lucky there was not another vehicle either coming towards me or behind me, cuz I lost control of the vehicle and I an sure a incoming car would of kill everyone. This needs to be fix. There is hound to be a law suit and I read three is alot of other and you people know it.. this will be on you people,

- Buffalo, MN, USA

problem #159

Jan 052019

Durango

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. After the contact closed the vehicle door, the dome light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to allen mello Dodge (13 marman dr, nashua, nh) where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the part needed to repair the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 07V095200 (electrical system) may no longer be available from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Dunstable, MA, USA

problem #158

May 102017

Durango

  • 95,000 miles
Takata recall. I took my vehicle in to have this recall fixed and was told it was repaired. Then I received another notice and was informed by the dealership they would contact me when they had the parts. I was never contacted and moved but still have the same number. Now I receive all this information about the danger and this vehicle is my wife and children's primary source of transportation. I fear for their lives while driving this vehicle, especially after watching the video. Also during the same time frame of this recall, my electronics on the vehicle began acting erratically. They still do occasionally but we have to drive it nonetheless. The instrument cluster will go dead with no lights or gauges working, the a.C. will blow heat only or stop, the alarm goes off on its on, etc. All this while it is still running and drivable but you don't know how fast! right now it's acting somewhat normal. I really feel I was wronged in buying this vehicle! the date I listed was the first time it happened but it has happened several times after that up to last month.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #157

Nov 292017

Durango

  • 100,000 miles
It is a AWD car but sometime the 4lo light comes on with a very annoying noise from the bottom of the car or engine, then the speed being slowed down significantly, the car becomes hard to keep going. The streaking sound and the speed being reduced like the break being stepped on abrubtly makes me pull over for safety.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA

problem #156

Nov 132017

Durango

  • 132,000 miles
My service 4 wheel drive light came on and my SUV and my car started jerking unexpectedly while in traffic, as if it were changing or shifting gears, which could have caused an accident. When I took it to Dodge, I was told that the front control module for C1404, needed to be replaced, and that the part alone would cost $1200. I am reading many articles about issues with the 4WD in this make, model, of vehicle and want to know if there is a recall on this and if not there should be, before someone is killed because of this issue (if not already)

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #155

Sep 012017

Durango

  • 141,141 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, waited a few minutes, and resumed driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact called quirk Chrysler Jeep Ram of bangor (307 hogan rd, bangor, me 04401, phone number: (207) 945-9458) and was informed to contact Dodge customer care. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty, and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 141,141.

- Aurora, ME, USA

problem #154

Mar 152016

Durango

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. On several occasions, the vehicle idled excessively. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. While stopped at several traffic lights and construction work zones, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to napleton Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (located at 1460 E osceola pkwy, kissimmee, fl 34744, (855) 437-9197) to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #153

May 012017

Durango

  • 157,000 miles
Vehicle switches into 4X4 with vehicle turned off Chrysler says they don't know what's wrong but if you go to car gurus.com lots and lots of people have this problem and no one will help us cause is transfer case motor engages on its own causing our car to lock 4X4 and yes vehicle will skid around corners and is dangerus

- Tulsa, OK, USA

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