2005 Dodge Durango Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Feb 3, 2025 · 217 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2005 Dodge Durango, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 110,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (26% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Transfer case: mentioned in 57 of 217 complaints (26%)
  • Four wheel: mentioned in 26 of 217 complaints (12%)
  • You hear: mentioned in 17 of 217 complaints (8%)
  • Svc 4WD: mentioned in 13 of 217 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 201 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles19 · 9%
10k–25k miles7 · 3%
25k–50k miles11 · 5%
50k–75k miles17 · 8%
75k–100k miles31 · 15%
100k–150k miles58 · 29%
150k+ miles58 · 29%

How serious are the reports?

Of 217 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 5 an injury.

Dodge Durango power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 217 complaints
1998: 10319981999: 1812000: 12020002001: 1062002: 7120022003: 242004: 9920042005: 2172172006: 5520062007: 182008: 420082009: 12011: 5120112012: 372013: 3420132014: 422015: 3820152016: 302017: 2320172018: 132019: 1320192020: 32021: 1020212022: 92023: 920232024: 52026: 22026

n = 1,318 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Durango214%651
2024 Durango536%—
2023 Durango928%55,000
2022 Durango916%—
2021 Durango105%63,000
2020 Durango35%29,980
2019 Durango139%40,000
2018 Durango136%11,763
2017 Durango2311%12,000
2016 Durango3019%23,055
2015 Durango388%29,000
2014 Durango425%32,250
2013 Durango345%44,550
2012 Durango376%49,958
2011 Durango516%51,624
2009 Durango18%88,527
2008 Durango44%118,093
2007 Durango189%102,000
2006 Durango556%109,500
2005 Durango21714%110,000
2004 Durango999%101,950
2003 Durango247%41,000
2002 Durango7117%81,059
2001 Durango10616%69,250
2000 Durango12011%57,008
1999 Durango1819%76,400
1998 Durango10311%68,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 36 complaints
2005: 122005122006: 662007: 142007142008: 992009: 5200952010: 442011: 6201162012: 662013: 212013212014: 36362015: 272015272016: 19192017: 242017242018: 552019: 122019122020: 332021: 3202132022: 222023: 320233

n = 217 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmissionOct 6, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V460000 · 256,409 vehicles

Problem: On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.

Risk: If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

This vehicle will slip in and out 4 wheel drive on its own. This can occur when driving and I’m concerned it will create a dangerous situation, especially if driving at high speeds. When this issue is occurring, making tight turns (parking, neighborhood driving) becomes very dangerous as the…

Received May 4, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11520531

Was on a delivery order with Doordash suddenly the truck started bucking back and forth it had felt as if someone was slaming into the back of truck anyway I was on the highway in traffic when this had started leaving me 1st and 2nd gear than final with no gears cause the transmission was burning…

Received Mar 12, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11511381

My 2005 Durango all of a sudden has decided to stall while driving . I've bought this vehicle almost 2 years ago, and this is by far the scariest experience I've had in it. The first time it happened was as I was slowing down to stop at a red light on January 17th. Since then it has been stalling…

Received Feb 9, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11506353
Dodge Durango
Dodge Durango in SoHo, Manhattan. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kidfly182, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2005 Dodge Durangos have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 217 owner complaints about power train for the 2005 Dodge Durango (14% of the 1,567 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Dodge Durango power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 110,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2005 Dodge Durango?

The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 57 of 217 complaints, followed by “four wheel” (26).

Other 2005 Dodge Durango problems

See all 2005 Dodge Durango problems or power train problems across all Durango years.