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2000 Dodge Durango Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Dodge Durango has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Oil sludge and catastrophic engine failure.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Dodge Durango.

Reported to NHTSA

Oil sludge and catastrophic engine failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2017-05

“WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE TRUCK SHUT-OFF, NEVER TO BE STARTED AGAIN. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, THEY TOLD ME I HAD A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THAT BEING, ENGINE OIL SLUDGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10224049
“I HAVE OWNED MY 2000 DURANGO SINCE IT WAS NEW, I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY FOR THE WHOLE TIME, I HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT MYSELF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10406007
“INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE AT 74000 MILES. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10173166

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat sliding during braking and acceleration

SEATS

19 NHTSA complaints · 2006-10 → 2019-10

“THE DRIVER SEAT MOVES FORWARD WHEN BRAKING. IT IS DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT OF HARD BRAKING AND THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD. THIS CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO APPLY MORE FORCE ON THE BRAKE THAN INTENDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268979
“2000 DODGE DURANGO DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT ROCKING CHAIR EFFECT. THERE IS ACME TREAD LONG SCREW (WORM GEAR) BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM TRACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10440263
“I OWN A 2000 DURANGO SLT WITH THE "ROCKING SEAT" PROBLEM. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SLIDES IN THE RAIL APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH WHEN ACCELERATING OR STOPPING, UNLESS THE SEAT IS POSITIONED AT THE EXTREME FORWARD OR REARWARD POSITIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10292222

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected engine stall and loss of power

ENGINE

59 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2023-10

“I WAS IN THE FREEWAY RUNNING 65 MILES/HOUR AND SUDDENLY MY DURANGO JUST STALLED AND ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING.THERE WAS NO CODE SHOWING UP. I BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11351652
“I OWN A 2000 DODGE DURANGO SLT 4WD. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 75 DEGREES. I HAVE TRACED THE ISSUE TO THE PCM OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH BECOMES SO HOT THAT YOU CANNOT TOUCH ITS METAL HOUSING WITH YOUR HANDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10336683
“V8-287 4.7L DURANGO STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM ON THE FREEWAY OR IN CITY TRAFFIC. NOTHING SPECIFIC THAT I CAN RELATE TO THE CAUSE. IMMEDIATELY LOSE POWER STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10235046

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension ball joint and wheel hub failure

SUSPENSION

32 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2021-12

“The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise coming from the front driver’s side tire. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and stated that the front driver’s side wheel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11444532
“TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10182112
“I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY STEERING LEFT AND THE WHEEL BASE WOULDN'T TURN. SO I BACKED UP AND CONTINUE TO GO AROUND THE CURVE, ONCE I REACHED ABOUT 200 FT OFF MY DRIVEWAY, MY CAR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON IT'S OWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10403335

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and rear differential failure

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2006-09 → 2013-04

“WHILE DRIVING IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE I REVERSED HEARD A CLUNK. THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING SAW NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE HIT. PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND DROVE FOR A FEW MINUTES HAD TO BACK UP AGAIN AND FOUND I HAD NO REVERSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10282851
“HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. INSPECTED BY DODGE DEALERSHIP, SERVICE WRITER SAID CARRIER ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL TO BE DAMAGED AND ENTIRE REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10205144
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, A CHILD CLIMBED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND MOVED THE COLUMN GEAR SHIFT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10169223

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hydraulic brake failure and ABS malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

13 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2024-11

“The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was slow to stop. While depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626612
“WHILE BACKING MY DODGE DURANGO ONTO BOAT RAMP TO TAKE A JETSKI OUT OF THE WATER, I LOST ALL BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP FROM GOING IN THE WATER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542917
“DRIVING ON CITY ROADS THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL WAS ON THE FLOOR. NARROWLY AVOIDED CRASHING BY SWERVING INTO FREE TURN LANE AND TURNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10272507

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power door lock failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

12 NHTSA complaints · 2007-02 → 2013-07

“EVERY DOOR LOCK IN THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED CAUSING THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE LOCK SYSTEM FAILS IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND REMAINS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION CAUSING THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10321091
“THE POWER LOCKS WON'T WORK AND THE POWER WINDOWS WON'T WORK. IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE DURANGO. IF YOU EVER GET INTO A CAR WRECK YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10235176
“A FEW WEEKS AGO, IT STARTED WITH THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT, AND GATE OPEN LIGHT COMING ON WHEN NOTHING WAS OPEN. A LOT OF ICE BUILD UP (BAD SEALS) MADE THE DRIVER DOOR DIFFICULT TO LATCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10182956

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2006-11 → 2016-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903098
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10476495
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH DAMAGED THE ENTIRE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10210924

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

354 crashes 1990–2024

How the 354 occupant deaths break down

229

driver deaths

125

passenger deaths

354

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

118

complaints mentioning a crash

33

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Dodge Durango reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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