Here Are The Dodge Durango Years To Avoid (Explained)

Among mid-size sports utility vehicles, the Dodge Durango has gained popularity over the years. It was first manufactured in 1998, taking a break in 2003, and then picking right back up in 2011. When buying a Dodge Durango, you may wonder – what years should you avoid?

Here is what you need to know about Dodge Durango years you should avoid. A number of issues have been reported with certain models, so you should stay away from them if you want to drive safely. Your future Dodge Durango can be chosen better if you are familiar with the various models available.

Dodge Durango Years to Avoid

It is true that the Dodge Durango has had some very good years, but if you want to enjoy the best possible driving experience, you should avoid some Dodge Durango years. You will learn which models you should stay away from at all costs from us.

There are a few Dodge Durango years to avoid, including:

• 1999
• 2000
• 2004
• 2005
• 2011
• 2012

Dodge Durangos have endured some of their worst years in history.

Durango had several unique characteristics during these years that made it less than ideal. The next step is to discuss these models so that you can better understand why they should be avoided. It is inevitable that every model will have its own flaws.

1999 Dodge Durango

In the 1999 model year, Dodge Durangos are plagued with serious engine problems. The majority of users complained that their vehicles suddenly shut down while driving. In 1998, Dodge failed to maintain the legacy of one of its best model years.  Among the other major issues are transmission problems, electrical problems, suspension problems, brake problems, AC/heating problems, and interior accessory problems.

As well as minor issues with windshields, cooling systems, fuel systems, wheels, drivetrains, exterior accessories, lights, steering problems, etc., there are also some major issues. In the NHTSA’s opinion, suspensions, engines, brakes, and transmissions are the most commonly complained about components.

About the 1999 model year, CarComplaints has received 620 complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations. There are several issues with Durango 1999 models, so everyone should stay away from them. It is a hard no for anybody considering buying a 1999 Durango.

2000 Dodge Durango

Despite the failure of the past model year, Dodge didn’t learn from the experience and the Durango 2000 model year also failed in the market. There have been a lot of complaints about engine problems for this model year. As well as interior accessories, air conditioning and heaters, suspension, transmission, and electrical problems, there are also brake and steering problems.

Several minor issues are also present with the model year. In addition, there are problems with the drivetrain, windows, wheels, cooling system, fuel system, body paint, lights, seat belts/airbags, exterior accessories, etc. The majority of complaints to the NHTSA pertain to suspension, followed by engine, transmission, brake, steering, and interior accessories.

In the 2000 Dodge Durango, CarComplaints reports 313 complaints concerning 4 recalls and 4 investigations. A number of major and minor issues have been raised regarding the Durango 2000 and its reliability and service. It is therefore imperative that users avoid this model year at all costs.

2004 Dodge Durango

In 2001-2003, the manufacturers were able to solve most of the problems associated with the 1999 and 2000 Dodge Durango. Even so, these model years still don’t top the list of best Durango SUVs, since there are better ones available.

As with the 2004 model year, Dodge failed to meet expectations once again. In addition to severe engine problems, the 2004 Durango has many other major issues, including exterior accessories, electrical issues, body/paint defects, and cooling system problems. This model year has minor issues concerning brakes, drivetrains, steering, suspension, air conditioning, fuel systems, lights, windshields, wheels, and exhaust systems.

The most reported issues with this model year are engine problems, according to both NHTSA and CarComplaints. In addition to electrical complaints, NHTSA also listed complaints about seat belts, airbags, body and paint, interior accessories, brakes, drivetrain, and transmission problems. In addition to its problems in 1999 and 2000, the 2004 Durango has similar problems. Therefore, you should also avoid buying a Dodge Durango from the 2004 model year.

2005 Dodge Durango

In 2005, Dodge Durango engine problems remain the same as they were in previous years. In the worst models of the Dodge Durango, engine problems seem to be a constant problem. This model year tends to be plagued by engine problems according to CarComplaints.

Aside from these major problems, the 2005 model year also has issues with its fuel system, transmission, interior accessories, body and paint, and air conditioner/heater. As well as minor issues with the drivetrain, electrical system, brakes, exterior accessories, exhaust system, cooling system, wheels, airbags, seat belts, lights, steering, suspension, etc., this vehicle has some minor flaws as well.

It is estimated that most complaints are about the fuel system, followed by issues related to engines, electrical systems, drivetrains, seat belts, airbags, etc., according to NHTSA.

 According to CarComplaints, there are 268 complaints about the 2005 Durango, 9 recalls, and 10 investigation reports. We can now see clearly that the 2005 Durango SUV also suffers from problems. It is therefore recommended for users to avoid this model year in favor of a better one.

2011 Dodge Durango

Due to the 2005 Dodge Durango issue, manufacturers have been able to turn things around. The result was Durangos in 2007 and 2008 as well as 2009, which are some of the best SUV years. It is unfortunate that the 2011 model year was plagued by a number of problems.

The 2011 model year has been the subject of 279 complaints of problems, eight recalls, and four investigations. In both NHTSA and CarComplaints, electrical problems are the most commonly reported issue.

In addition to engine problems, fuel system problems, AC/heating problems, interior accessories, and transmission problems are also of concern. Minor issues with this model year include seat belts/airbags, brakes, windows, drivetrains, steering, lights, cooling systems, suspension, etc.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies electrical, engine, fuel system, brakes, drivetrain, and miscellaneous problems as major issues. There are several major as well as minor problems with the Durango 2011 model year. In this case, you should also stay away from the 2011 model year, as there are much better models available.

Dodge Durango Best Years

There are three great model years of Dodge Durango: 1998, 2007-2009, and 2016-2020. There are the fewest complaints and recalls associated with these model years. In addition, they provide a higher level of performance, reliability, and safety than other model years. Here are some of the best years for models:

1998 Dodge Durango

In this model year, Dodge Durango is available for the first time. Due to its excellent performance, Durango SUVs became popular. The aggressive design, spacious interior, powerful V8 engine, and affordable price helped it gain a foothold in the market. The quality of the first build was adequate. I would not recommend purchasing this item, even though it is on the list of the best years. However, the 1998 Durango is an old SUV with relatively fewer issues. It is also important for users to take a look at other options out there.

Find out what people have to say about the 1998 Dodge Durango by checking out the reviews and rankings:

• Edmunds Consumer Review: 3.9 out of 5.0
• KBB Consumer Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0

2009 Dodge Durango

There is no doubt that this is one of the best model years out there. CarComplaints reports that the 2009 Durango has a low number of complaints. This vehicle has a powerful V8 engine that provides generous off-road capability and ability to tow. In this model year, the hybrid models offer better fuel economy, higher cargo capacity, and simple interior controls. Despite this, the vehicle still has some shortcomings, including low second-row legroom, poor mileage in regular models, and average interior quality. As one of my top model years, it stands out.

A review and rating of the 2009 Dodge Durango can be found here:

• KBB Consumer Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
• Edmunds Consumer Review: 4.4 out of 5.0
• Repairpal Reliability Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0

2016 Dodge Durango

It is also a great year to buy a Dodge Durango for the 2016 model year. Among the best features are a spacious interior, an improved infotainment system, a powerful V8 engine, great towing capabilities, and off-road capabilities. In addition to being overweight, it has an average interior and terrible fuel economy when compared to its competitors. My best-year list is influenced by these minor issues against the good side.

The 2016 Dodge Durango has received the following reviews and ratings:

• KBB Consumer Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0
• Edmunds Consumer Review: 4.5 out of 5.0
• Repairpal Reliability Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0

2019 Dodge Durango

Among the best years of the Durango is the 2019 model year. According to CarComplaints, it has the lowest number of complaints. Compared to the class, this model offers spacious third-row seats, an impressive touchscreen interface, a powerful V8 engine that provides great towing capabilities, and off road capability. Despite its good fuel economy, it has below-average looks and a bigger size, compared to its competitors. While these issues are minor, they do have advantages over the negative sides.

Here are the 2019 Dodge Durango reviews and ratings:

• KBB Consumer Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0
• Edmunds Consumer Review: 4.4 out of 5.0
• Repairpal Reliability Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0

What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?

When it comes to buying a used car, there are a few factors to consider before investing in these models. Each of them will be discussed in order for you to understand some of the problems they faced during their service lives.

There are a number of prominent issues noted by carcomplaints.com during these years, including the following:

• Engine troubles
• Electrical problems
• Brake issues

Although several other complaints were made about the Dodge Durango, these three were the most common.

You can learn more about these three Dodge Durango model issues by reading on. There are a variety of factors that can affect the ownership of a vehicle in different ways. You will be forced to spend money on repairs, which could have a negative impact on your future.

Engine Troubles

This model, particularly the 2004 model, was most frequently complained about due to engine issues. A common issue with this vehicle is engine shutdowns during driving, which can cause a variety of problems, including lost vehicle control and fatal accidents.

Among the other engine problems are:

• Due to oil sludge, the engine fails
• Without warning, the engine stalls
• When it rains, the engine shakes and dies

In addition to these, there can be other issues that can arise with some Dodge Durango models.

The road can be dangerous when there is an engine problem or trouble of any kind. Furthermore, engine problems often repeat over time, making them expensive to fix. Dodge Durango models are known to have high engine costs, so stay away from them if you want to avoid them.

Electrical Problems

Next, we have electrical problems to deal with. This usually results in the car being unable to start. There are a number of Ford Explorer models, such as the one we mentioned above, that are especially prone to faulty electrical issues. There are a lot of 2011 models with this issue, though newer versions don’t have it anymore.

In addition to these electrical problems, there are a few others:

• Having problems with the alternator
• Turning over or starting the engine is impossible
• Batteries don’t hold a charge

It’s no use considering these if you’re looking for a Dodge Durango model that’s reliable no matter what the weather is, no matter how cold or hot it is.

The car you’re buying costs a lot of money. It’s essential that your vehicle starts whenever you ask it to at any time during the day. To increase the reliability of your drive, avoid the models above and settle for one that has better reviews.

Brake Issues

Lastly, we are experiencing brake problems. While there haven’t been major brake issues reported in any of the above models, some negative brake reports have appeared on almost every model. There are a variety of problems that can be expensive to fix, ranging from emergency failures to boost breaks. A lot of people don’t want to spend money on their brakes, especially if they need to fix them repeatedly.

There are no brake problems with the newer models of Dodge Durango because the brake problems have been fixed. In a vehicle, the brakes are one of the most important components, so you must invest in a car that stops properly every time you press the brake. Your Dodge Durango will keep you safe on the road.

Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?

We’ve covered the worst Durango models, but what about the safest? When buying a new vehicle, there is a lot to consider.

The Dodge Durango has been rated well by carcomplaints.com for the following years:

• 2014
• 2015
• 2018
• 2020

Dodge Durango’s four best models can be purchased on the market, and they are as follows.

There are four Dodge Durango models that will meet your needs if you’re on the lookout for the ideal one. It is impossible to find one fault that the others have, ensuring an excellent driving experience on any road you choose.

Dodge Durango Recall History

In the past decade, Dodge Durango SUVs have been recalled 111 times. The following is a detailed recall history:

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Conclusion

Every driving experience can be enhanced by knowing which Dodge Durango is the safest. Your budget should not be compromised by investing in a vehicle that incurs more repairs than expected. In addition, you need to ensure your safety. Make sure you choose a vehicle that is free of faults in order to avoid being in danger on the road.

By knowing about some of the issues that existed with previous Dodge Durango models, you can choose a newer model that will work better for you. As opposed to the older versions, there are four excellent choices available for you to choose from.