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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,800 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Nov 162011

Durango

  • 90,650 miles

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

2005 Dodge Durango limited, 5.7L hemi V8 stalls while backing up. First time it happened the truck started right back up immediately. The second time on 11/28/11, it took 3 times to restart the vehicle. This has only happened while in reverse. Apparently this is a common problem with the hemis and there is a tsb #0802404 to "reflash" the engine and update the software. The forums state that this is a fix for some vehicles, but not all. I am scared to be in this car with my kids now-what if we stall on the highway and get into a wreck? please fix this issue! our safety is my number one concern, and should be yours as well, Dodge!

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #35

Aug 012011

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I purchased my 2005 Dodge Durango, 5.7L hemi, used from a dealership. A check engine light came on and I took it in for service and they flushed my transmission fluid and said that if it did it again they would try replacing the solenoid in the transmission. After that, the engine would just shut off while driving - mostly when I was just starting out, but one time it just died (no warnings) when I was doing 70 mph down the highway! now my car is starting to buck (feels like you hit something) at @ 45 mph - not when accelerating, stepping on the gas or decelerating, but rather when staying at a steady rate of speed. I have young children, my husband works out of state, and I fear for our lives every time we drive this vehicle! it is my only form of transportation and I have a loan on it! I have read hundreds of complaints about these same type of symptoms. I want to know why Dodge has not done anything about it! the federal government bailed them out before, now it's time they take responsibility and recall these cars and get them fixed before people start dieing! they are blatantly ignoring a known problem!

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #34

Sep 302010

Durango

  • 60,000 miles
This has been an ongoing issue with our Durango. The first time it happened was about one month after I bought it used with approx 60K miles on it. It is totally at random. I'm always able to pop it into neutral and start it back up again as if nothing ever happened. The biggest problem with this is not only that the engine totally shuts off(as if that isn't a huge issue in itself), but that the power steering/power brakes go out as well making the possibility of an accident a huge issue. It has always had a stutter when driving. After taking it to the dealer, being told they couldn't replicate the problem or pull any codes. In order for them to find the problem I would have to pay them to locate their defect. At this point Dodge needs to resolve this since I am not the only one experiencing this huge safety issue. I urge everyone to also submit this problem to the NHTSA.

- Cresco, PA, USA

problem #33

Jun 012011

Durango

  • 103,000 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 upon refueling, fuel began to spill out from the fuel filler neck. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was refueled. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V003000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle would jerk while changing gears at various speeds. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V460000 (power train:automatic transmission). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #32

Dec 152010

Durango

  • miles
2005 Dodge Durango stalls several times a week at low speeds, while braking, turning, parking. This has happened on curves, sending us into oncoming traffic since power steering goes out. This has happened in a school parking lot several times, creating a hazard. No particular date, as many incidents have occurred. Taken it in to Dodge twice for service and they tell us that nothing is wrong. Obviously they are wrong as this has been reported before. We want this fixed. We like the truck otherwise. It would be great if we felt completely safe in it, but this is hard to do when it stalls with no warning.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #31

Mar 052008

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
The vehicle stalls out at low speeds. So when you are at a stop light or slow down to turn or are in a parking lot, it stalls. When this happens, you can't steer because that only works with the car running. This started right after the 3 year warranty was over and has continued through today. They also didn't fix the recall item and I have fuel spills every time I set the nozzle on automatic and it is supposed to shut off. It does not shut off because the gauge is defective. Now I have a spot under the fuel fill that was eaten away by gas and it is now rusty.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #30

Jan 042010

Durango 8-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

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

2005 Dodge Durango - 5.7 hemi V8 - the engine stalls at low speeds while turning - usually starts up after letting it sit for 10 minutes - has done this repeatedly - symptoms are identical to investigation #EA05018.

- Indian Head Park, IL, USA

problem #29

Jul 202009

Durango

  • miles
My 2005 Dodge Durango is stalling when the speed is reduced. I have had near miss accidents exiting the interstate and slowing down to make a turn. This has been an ongoing problem. I have taken the vehicle in to the dealership, but they could not determine the problem. Help please!!!!

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #28

Sep 012006

Durango

  • 42,000 miles
Engine dies during deceleration. (slowing down for a stop sign or stop light. When this happens all power is lost including power steering. Occurs about 5-10 times a month. Nothing has been done to fix the issue, and remains an ongoing issue.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #27

Apr 222009

Durango

  • 84,000 miles
Vehicle stalled out while slowing and turning into parking lot, vehicle stalled after backing down driveway stopping and starting to put into drive, vehicle stalled while pulling to a stop in a parking lot, check engine light has come on and went off several times by itself and the last time by having an advanced auto worker pull the code and clear it. The code states the problem is a transmission fluid pressure sensor. I just purchased this vehicle and of course it is just over 80,000 miles on it now. The vehicle is a 2005 Dodge Durango. I called a friend who is a mechanic to see if he could fix the problem due to not having the money to take it to a dealership. The friend has told me that Dodge has had a lot of these types of problems with the Durango. My vehicle has yet to be repaired.

- Waleska, GA, USA

problem #26

Feb 112009

Durango

  • 68,945 miles

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

Engine stalls randomly and in different driving conditions but mostly when coming to a stop RPM will drop off all the sudden then engine dies it also looses power when accelerating and surges pretty hard when this happens this has happened twice since I bought the vehicle on 2/25/09 first time was on 3/11/09 and the second time was 3/21/09.

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #25

Jun 152006

Durango

  • 30,000 miles
Engine just turns off with no warning. Stalls first time this happened I had just passed a vehicle on the highway. If felt like I had run out of gas though I knew I had plenty. I coasted to the side and was able to immediately restart and ran fine. Next occurrence was driving slowly through a wildlife zoo, stopped to back up and vehicle shut off. Third: Had just stopped for stop sign, shut off as I accelerated to cross intersection. Fourth: Taking my children to school! turned at a busy intersection and engine quit, thankfully was able to coast through and pull to side of road. Fifth: Happened today while in stop and go traffic picking kids up at school. I worry this could happen on busy interstate or in a dangerous area where I am not able to quickly get the car of the road to restart. Very frustrating and scary!!

- Llano, TX, USA

problem #24

Oct 202008

Durango

  • 23,000 miles
When filling the vehicle with gas, when the pump clicks off gas then overflows out of the tank and onto the ground. This is the same problem as covered in recall # 05V460000 but the VIN on the vehicle is not included. There is also an ongoing defect investigation with NHTSA action # RQ08005.

- Clyde, KS, USA

problem #23

Aug 262008

Durango

  • 45,000 miles
2 different problems with 2005 Dodge Durango transmission. First problem. Car slips into reverse from drive if the car is bumped slightly by opening door or is on a hill. I was pinned between my car and a wall while trying to get out of the car while it was in park because it slipped into reverse after I got out of the car. 2nd problem, transmission coil rusted after 2 years and the car started sputtering like it was about to die. Had to have it towed to dealer and paid $900 to have the coils and seals changed and the whole transmission tuned up for it to run.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

problem #22

Jul 102008

Durango

  • 32,879 miles
Stalling when stop at light or making a turn. When switching gears it takes a longer time than usual to get in gear. Several times truck would not start at all, roadside assistance check battery which wasn't the problem.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #21

Apr 202008

Durango 8-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
I purchased my Durango in Feb. 08 and the first incident was about one week later. I was taking my 3 children to school making a right hand turn into the parking lot when I suddenly could not hardly turn my steering wheel, I looked at the dash and realized that my engine had stalled. Then I restarted the car and continued on my way. I called the car dealership to report it. The following week I took it the dealership to get the breaks worked on and mentioned the problem again and they said without an engine light on they would not be able to detect the problem. After my break work was completed I left the dealership to go home and on my way up a hill behind a semi truck going slow about 15 mph my Durango stalled again and I was almost rear ended by a van. I turned around to head back to the dealership to have it looked at and they said the same thing about the dash light being on. So I preceded to go home. About a week or so later again making a right hand turn into a parking lot my Durango stalled again. Happened a couple more times over the next few weeks and I took it to the dealership again 180 miles round trip. I spent 6 hours waiting for them to fix it and they could not so they sent me on my way and about 3 miles down the road my engine light finally came on and my Durango stalled again when I slowed down to return to the dealership to show them know the light is on. They hooked it up to the computer and fixed the problem and I returned home. I thought the problem had been solved but about 2 weeks later I had my three children in the Durango and I was making a left hand turn off the highway on to a side street when it stalled as on coming traffic was coming at me and I almost got hit. I know do not let my children ride in this vehicle because it is not safe. Again the dealership I bought it from does not know how to fix it and cannot help me.

- Harrison, MI, USA

problem #20

Sep 012007

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that fuel escaped from the filler neck when refueling the vehicle. As of January 4, 2008, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05V034000 (fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly: Filler pipe and cap). The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 108,000. The consumer stated would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the repairs at the tune of $677.43. The dealer stated replaced rear pinion seal. Updated 01/29/08

- Argyle, TX, USA

problem #19

Jul 302007

Durango 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,433 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. While attempting to exit a parking space, the vehicle would not shift out of the park gear. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the brake cable failed. The contact took the vehicle to the mechanic and they stated that the transmission valve failed. The VIN and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 68,433.

- Hotsprings, AR, USA

problem #18

Jul 162007

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
I have a 2005 Dodge Durango that has been in the shop 3 times for a "rough idle" and the dealership says they can't feel it, and don't know what it is, although it has died on me several times. Also, I just found out I need a new rack and pinion and it isn't covered under warranty. It has 54,000 miles and I have a 70,000 powertrain warranty, but apparently, it isn't covered.

- Plantersville, MS, USA

problem #17

Jun 222007

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,565 miles
As vehicle was put into drive to leave mostly empty new parking lot which was almost completed except landscaping by new major store chain, engine revved up and down on its own. About 5 to 10 seconds later, engine accelerated to full throttle on its own. Pushing full down on brakes couldn't stop or even slow down vehicle. From start of incident, vehicle accelerated from 5 to about 30 mph before final impact. 2005 Dodge Durango struck/went over two 8" curbs of parking lot islands, went over pile of 75 20' pvc pipes and 15 pieces of 20' metal framing materials, hit and smashed through 2 pplates of 12"X12"X2" concrete paving blocks, causing 3 workers to dive out of path, and then finally smashed into L rear wheel of industrial size "cherry picker" smashing full front end, breaking L axle, bending frame of vehicle, and causing driver air bag to deploy, before it came to a complete stop.

- Roy, WA, USA

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