Dodge Durango Owmers-Likes and Dislikes

Hello Everyone,I was wondering,To all the Durango owners out there,what are your likes and dislikes about the Durango.I am considering getting into one since some "Ding a Ling" pulled out in front of me and totaled out my 96 Neon ( May it Rest in Peace).I,m looking at Durango years of 2000 to 2006.4 wheel drive vs All wheel drive.Is all wheel drive on all the time or just on demand.The 4.7 V-8 or the Hemi,I don,t want the 5.9 motor thinking the milage would be poor from the 5.9.Servicability,rust issues,maintenance issues,etc. Thanks for your responses. Have a good day.. Jeff

We have a 2005 hemi with 120K miles on it. Bought it used with 50K miles on it.

It has never broke down, did need a EGR valve at 65-70K miles(set off a code) Got a new gas tank and air bags under recalls that did not cost us anything.

There is now some rust around the rear wheel wells. I recently put a new muffler and tail pipe on it and new tires. It is AWD and 4 wheel drive and we drive it every winter. I used a personal snow plow on it for a few winters. We have had it since about 2007.

I don't like getting in and out of it being a big guy as I hit my head on the windshield pillar if I am not careful. My wife drives it 95% of the time and likes it. It does have a pretty good blind spot too looking over your shoulder. Wife got in a fender bender because of it.

Overall I give it a B...we still have it because it has been reliable. Has a killer Bose stereo in it with leather and tons of power. Uses lot's gas though.

I had a 2003, the last year of the body on frame Durango. It was a 4.7L SLT plus that came with all of the options except moon roof.
It went 190,000 miles before any major repairs (water pump, plugs, oil and routine maintenance not included). At 190K, front drive shaft CV joint failed. Out of balance condition ovaled the front transfer case bearing mount. Repaired that and ran it for another 30K when I donated it to a local charity after getting my 2014 Ram. In that 220,000 miles, neither the engine or the transmission were ever opened up for any reason.
It was AWD and still the best snow vehicle I have ever driven.
Faults: AWD keeps the MPG down: 15.5 MPG average for city and highway without much variation between the two.
Around here, there are lots of pre 2004 Durangos still on the road.
The 2004s came out with the 5.7L Hemi and unibody construction. 2014 introduced the 8 speen transmission.

We have a 2000 4.7 4x4 Durango.

I really like the thing. We bought it totaled from a friend. He replaced the ball joints on the driver side due to the accident but, everything else was cosmetic.

We purchased it with 112k on it and it now has 162k.

I had the rear pinion seal replaced as it was leaking. I had both exhaust manifold gaskets replaced due to leaks. Of course, the studs broke off on the one side so; it was almost $600 to have that done. The steering shaft for the column (with the universal joint) has also been replaced. Lastly, I had the 4x4 linkage grommet replaced too as it came apart one day.

I’ve replaced the passenger side ball joints. Put all new shocks on it. Had to replace most of the exhaust due to rust.

Now that I type it up, it seems like we’ve had to do a lot to the thing but, it has been a good vehicle. Never left us stranded and gets us from point a to b.

I will say that the only thing I hate about the car is the gas mileage. Putting around town, we get about 13. I took it to Carlisle about 3 years ago and it got about 16 mpg’s; that’s as good as it gets.

It’s a beast in the snow.

Have a 2000 Durango,fulltime AWD and 360
Drives nice,has quite a surprising punch steping on it from about 25mph.
Uses gasoline.
Nice stock soundsystem.
Plenty of space to haul things around when both rearseats are folded.
Drives well in snow.
Love the outside mirrors,they are huge.
Have noticed alot of these with rusted bumbers.
Runs very nice over the non existing imperfections in our fine goverments well maintained roads,(ok that was sarcasm) the truth is that it drives realy nice on roads that could use some maintainance im actualy worried that i will get into trouble if i get a smaller passanger car again after the Durango consindering how i have got used to not care as much about bad roads.

the 2000 - 2003 tow really well handle good pretty reliable 4wd stuff, the 5.2 5.9 trannys need proper care or you will think they are junk, do band adjustments every couple years along with a trans service and learn the difference between a bad gov solenoid/sensor and a bad transmission, lots of people come in here asking me to rebuild their transmission and all they really need is one or both of those, same with band adjustments.

The 4.7 engine needs timing chains typically around 150,000, probably should do lifters and head gaskets all at the same time to save a few bucks on labor. The trans was way less fussy on those.

The 5.7 is the way to go, they get the best MPG the most power and most reliable overall except if you run through a puddle you will hydrolock the engine (supposedly the reason they like to kick a rod out of a perfectly good well maintained engine).

If you just can't get over the butt ugly body the 5.7 came in I would get a 5.2 or 5.9. The 4.7 is slow and not much if any better on gas. The only good thing about the 4.7 is they can be had cheap.

Still have my 03 4x4 4.7 with over 190 k mi. Had it for 6 years and since 114k mi. Had upper recall ball joints already on it when I got it, and have replaced them again along with right front hub bearing. Exhaust still quiet at manifolds, cold and hot. Waiting for noise out of them. The thing tows good, runs good, and is sitting at 16.5 mpg avg. It will get 18 or 19 mpg hwy if kept at 70 mph or less. Things like starter, alternator, trans, and water pump are orig. I hope the chains give me warning before they go, but are quiet now. Intermediate steering column I have changed. 91/4 pinion seal last year but bearings are hanging in there. Mine shows no external body rust yet, but I know it's coming.

Get the newer one with the 3.6, our 2013 got at least 20mpg with awd, was an excellent vehicle.

Parents have a 2000 with the 5.9.

Runs nice and will tow very well, but poor mpg in town.

On computer #3 now.

Drive shaft U joints have gone up on smoke.

AC is now weak.

Transmission is still fine.

Electric door locks have failed and been replaced.

Paint is still holding up good.

I had a 2005 Durango loaded with the Hemi. Really liked it but got rear ended sitting still by a 1ton chevy work van, kid was still on the gas and his cell phone when he hit me at about 25mph. The Durango did very well in the crash. It pushed me into some Korean car I was behind, waiting for it to make a left. 3 totaled vehicles in all. I went out and bought a 2008 Aspen limited Hemi. Mine have been reliable and do well in bad weather. They aren't unibodys. They have a big hydroformed frame. Torsion bar susp, Much more robust than the earlier Dakota looking Durango's. They drive a lot better also.

Couple more things about our durango, when the muffler got a rust hole in it the hemi sounded pretty tough! Some guys would pay good money for that sound! LOL Fresh exhaust system gave the thing a new solid feel. The wife likes it again now that it is quiet again. The exhaust parts were pretty cheap off amazon and I installed it in a hour or 2.

It has had a rattle in the front end for like 30K miles. I pretty sure it could use some bushings of some sort. Handling and tire wear has been good so am not worrying about it.

I put the goodyear wranglers back on it after the original set lasted 70K miles.

Then just recently put 4 new ones on it as the ones that were on it had 50K miles but were 7 years old with about 1/2 tread left. She blew a tire on the interstate in Iowa during trip to Montana in it. So we got 4 new tires when she got home. Used the 10-12 year old spare to get her home. I was sitting on pins and needles until she got home.

The moral of my story is the new tires ride so much better than the old hard Goodyears that was on it. Amazing to me that the new tires were so much better riding. I put Firestone destination(economy tire) on it this time since I don't know how much longer we will keep it.

Actually this is the only rust so far, on one corner.


I took these picture tonight. She keeps it clean.

I have a 2000 5.9 2WD. Mileage is better than what it replaced ('79 W200 club cab long bed 360). Right now it's really the only vehicle that we take anywhere if it's both of us as my wife has trouble getting in and out of the BMW. With what I've about the 4.7 I wouldn't own one and the one that I did rent (Dakota extended cab) got poor fuel mileage similar to the 5.9 Durango.

Much thanks to all that have replied,keep them coming "Gang".The prices in my area are all over the board for Durango,s.Ive seen a lot of "Rust Issues" in them,the lower rockers in the 2004 and above,especially those with running boards.Tailgates and rear fenders seem to be another "Rust Area".Some with "Transmission" issues.....as mentioned could be the transmission itself or the tranny solenoid.I like the idea of being able to haul stuff in them,especially with the fold down seats.MY 96 Neon,I hauled long stuff "Sticking" out the back window going down the road,got some "Looks",especially in the winter months.Sure miss that Neon,I got 42 MPG,s on a good day on the highway with that thing.... .Sits low to the ground too,kind of looking for a vehichle that is easier to get in and out of.I know the mileage is not the best in the Durango,s,but is a tradeoff to be able to haul some stuff and people around once in a while.I don,t travel much on long trips so that is no problem. I do like the looks of the older Durango,s Pree 2004 models.

Bought a '00 5.9 2wd new. Got 15-16 in town and 22-24 hwy depending on how I drove it. Ran like a scalded cat.
Couple of years ago I bought another '00 5.9 4wd w/ a bad engine. Scored a recently rebuilt 5.9 for it. Drove it a short time and had to do the solenoid/sensor deal. Drove it a little longer and trans went completely out. Did a 5 spd. swap instead of rebuilding the auto and absolutely love it. Mileage picked up in-town about 1 mpg BUT I need to do the plenum gasket as it's sucking oil. Maybe the mpg will pick up a little after that. Never have checked it on hwy. but it seems about the same as when it was an auto (15-16).
Unless you need/want awd or 4wd I would stick to 2wd for the better mileage. If I had known 4wd was that bad I sure would have.

If you want to travel a little craigslist around here has a good selection of what looks like clean ones (especially bad 4.7s).


Tim

How did you do the 5 speed swap???? Parts from a Dakota???? I,m curious.....Durangos all came from factory with automatic trannys....

Bought a Dakota off craigslist. New flywheel, clutch assy, bearings, and hydraulics.
Best thing is I don't have to worry about the automatic anymore. Towed a '95 Dakota home over the weekend on a dolly and was impressed with how well it pulled it.
Not that I plan to make that a habit.


Tim

Mucho Gracious Tim That is what I suspected...That opens up a whole lot of "Possibilities"..... Did you make a center console or did Dakotas have them in them??? or did you just cut a whole in the floor and use a chrome oval ring and rubber boot???.......The motors have to match too...I don,t know what came in the Dakotas....Cannabalize as many parts as you can...Bell housing,hydraulic clutch set up and pedal assembly..I,m getting Excited now.....

Actually used my console and the boots from a '99? Dakota that I grabbed at a pull-a-part. There was a tray in my console that I trimmed out and the trim boot clipped right in.

Been pestering HotRodDave with questions about PCMs and with his help have decided to just buy a reman for a 2000 1500 with 5.9 and 5 spd.
Thanks again, Dave.
If you do wind up wanting to do the swap PM me and I'll give you as much info/help as I can.


Tim

3 of my reps have had these previous generation Durangos. They seem to be very robust vehicles - I'd get one with the Hemi. Things I do not like about them most are the VERY harsh ride, & extensively "plasticy" interiors. I was even looking at getting one of them for my wife, as the prices are pretty good. If I was going to get one, I'd be looking at Aspens - little nicer appointments. Don't settle for a rusty one - look a few hundred miles to the south of WI. for a clean one from the south somewhere.

I am on my 5'th Durango. (1) 1'st gen, (2) 2'nd gen and (2) 3'rd gen. The first was a 5.9 and Hemi's since. Each one better than the last. The last two I have traded at 165-175k miles running fine in all respects.

Goes without saying, I like them.

Each one has gotten better mileage.

In terms of issues to watch out for... On the 1'st gen, watch the 9" rear for leaks. If not caught can be expensive. My 2'nd gen had rust around the tailgate handle. I re-finished it before it was an issue.

I have towed with all. Open trailers with (up to) 5000 # PU on board and medium box type trailers. Great towing vehicles within their capacity.

My 3'rd generation 2015 typically gets 19 MPG highway. The tricks like 7 speed transmission, VVT and cylinder de-activation do help drivability and mileage.

I have driven a rental 3'rd gen with V6 and it did surprisingly well with just me in it. Loaded to the roof with people and/or luggage or towing would be different I think.

If you are looking at one with 4.7, be careful. Many posts on this engine which is super sensitive to past maintenance.

Biggest issue with the early Durangos was ball joints both upper & lower...
Things got so bad with the OE parts Chrysler had a soft recall on them..

Just my $0.02...

I purchased my 2001 Durango SLT off Craigslist 5 years ago. Cost 5K and had 66,000 miles. Common white with a perfect cloth interior which had never been smoked in.

Despite four mismatched tires and iffy brakes, the Carfax showed it being bought new in New Jersey before traveling to Florida and then Alabama where I eventually purchased it. I took a chance on the (4.7) motor and trans being ok - they both had good fill levels and showed bone dry on the outside.

I had my mechanic go over things and after four new Michelins, fresh brakes, ac hose, and a ps hose, there have only been regular (Mobile 1 5W50) oil changes and I have maintained a 50/50 solution of anti-freeze and distilled water since.

Now has 108K and always get 15 city and 20 hwy.

01 Durango 4wd SLT. Second owner 234K miles on it. The transmission was rebuilt once and now I am rebuilding the front end. Ball joints (upper) on the stock have no zerts so you have to replace them. Outer tie rods worn out also. It runs really good and has been surprisingly reliable for a high mileage vehicle.

I have a 2000 Durango 5.9 2wd 3.55 gear. I put a taller tire and electric fan on it and it now will get 20mpg on the highway cruising. Just my 2 cents but I would stay away from the 4.7 motor. Try to find a good used one and that will tell you all you need to know.

Had an 02 with the 4.7l that I bought used and was nothing but a problem from day 1. I should have done a more thorough test drive.

Had the center console with thin armrest. I was always fighting with my girlfriend for it to rest our arms when we went for a ride in it.

had a noticeable wind noise no one could ever solve. In fact one response here when I had a post asking if anyone else had an issue was to "turn up the radio or put a flowmaster on it". Dealer brought it to a trim shop. Schmuck there used a cigarette to check the windshield for air leaks. Moron put a hole in my sun visor and then played dumb.

Later on.

Body rust around the cladding package.

Mine had the rear a/c package. There is a long line from the a/c compressor to the rear body. Mine blew out one night and was very noticeable! It's between the frame and body and not easily (or cheaply) serviced. Entire system could not be charged with the rear a/c line breached. I did buy the line which wasn't cheap even when discounted. Ended up giving it back to the dealer and had to eat the money spent. There is/was a company that made a bypass kit to eliminate the rear a/c but could never reach them. So no a/c last 2 years of ownership.

Had the brake system gone through, pads, rotors, etc - 1 year later the calipers froze and wiped out the new pads and rotors that I had to buy all over again. That one is probably on poor installation by the mechanic.

4.7 developed issues at 80K, low oil pressure, noises,.

At this point, I was pretty fed up as the Durango was a major money pit and "traded it in" LOL for $500 measly dollars. No one wanted it! Not even the salvage yards!!! And I called at least 3 of 'em.

Worst Mopar that I have ever owned despite my best efforts to maintain it. It was never neglected by me and I spent quite a bit of money on it.

I don't miss it. POS! I think every Chrysler made during the Daimler regime is cursed. My 2000 Chrysler LHS is a better vehicle but those cars have their funky characteristics (plural!) too. I won't even start on my Dad's 01 Dakota and the adventures with that thing.

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question of the Durango,s....... Anybody else have comments about the Durango??????

We bought an '02 brand new, with 4.7, SLT trim, and tow package. While neither a powerhouse, nor a fuel saver, it has been extremely reliable for us for just over 150K miles currently. Pulls our 22' boat with ease, and has had to tow both my old trucks home before ,with no issues. Good road trip vehicle over the years, except for the 14-17 MPG we get, and tons of cargo room. The bad? The suspension issues already detailed, though I've only had to do the front wheel bearings so far (driving into duck hunting spots in sketchy flooding conditions, and these wheel bearings don't like that). Heated seats are too expensive to fix when they die. Blend door for rear HVAC is notorious for failing. A few places on front of frame where brake lines run hold moisture, allowing brake lines to rust out. And the brake lines fittings were a surprise, as well!! My wife loves thus vehicle, so we will probably drive it till it rusts out from beneath us.

You want good serviceability but you don't want a 5.9? Not gonna get it from a 4.7. when I bought mine I passed on several to stay away from that engine. I wanted to either a 318 or a 360 or nothing.
, tried and true engines that have been around forever, a known quantity. Bought mine with 214k miles, has the 360, at 258k I did spring for a rebuild of the engine and transmission. Had a problem with the rebuild, wound up getting some bum EQ heads, guides were too tight on brand new "ready to run" heads, not the engines fault. Body is still in fantastic shape, so I decided it was worth doing. Did have a problem with the computer a few thousand miles before I pulled the engine, misfires on a few cylinders, most on #6, sent computer in and was told see solder joints came loose holding a chip on the board.
But the 1st 40k miles that we put on it were great. Drove down to Houston and Galveston from Chicago and back and it surprised me on gas mileage on that trip. Around 20 most of the time, down and back. Wouldn't have thought that.
I did replace the ball joints like the 3rd day I owned it.
If I had to buy another I would as long as it would be as rust free as this one is 03- older, and again NOT a 4.7. Around here the 04 and up ones are rotted out worse than the older ones.

I had a '02 Durango with the 4.7. Engine ran great, but would push coolant into res tank. Leaking headgasket. Rotted exhaust manifold bolts .Pinion seal leaking. Steering shaft coupler.

This 03' Dakota is my daily driver and it's currently at 310K mi on the 4.7L and tranny. The Durango was derived from the Dakota, so same front end and drive train. Cheapest vehicle I've ever owned when it comes to maintenance and it's servicable enough. Personally, I've seen the 4.7L do some extremely high miles... there was one guy running around with over half a million on his.

The 5.9L are great too, but I'd take a 4.7L any day, due to the fact it has COP and is a bit better on gas. Don't wanna be fussing with wires, caps and rotors at this point. The 545RFE has also been a stellar tranny... never a hiccup. Overall, the truck runs so good, I gave my Honda to my kid and drive it solo.

The 4.7 did have a small HG which I fixed ummm....*chemically,* about 40K ago....

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1938462/1.html

I've had 5 Durango's from 99-02. My currant one is a 01 R/T. I like them, easy to work on, ride nice, not to big or to small. The 4.7 has a bad rap. I never had any trouble with the 2 I had. The key with the 4.7 is maintenance, got to keep the oil changed and use good oil and they can't get hot. I dropped a 408 in my R/T. Mileage isn't bad, about 25 on the hwy. I've broke several posi's, the factory uses super cheap ones.

You realize you responded to a thread over a year old. He's probably already gotten what he needed.

yup. but as my Durango was my garage ornament for a bit, (reason further within post of mine, that you quoted)
found that thread on a search for something else.... and it seemed relevant even though it was old at that point.
Did you notice tehre have been other people reply to the thread after me but before you... sometimes it don't matter how old I guess.....