1997 Dodge Durango Problems, Recalls & Reliability

5 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Dodge Durango, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 0/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score.

5Complaints
0/100Trouble index
2Recalls

Few reports

Where 1997 sits among all Durango years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Suspension 3 complaints (60%)
Brakes & stability 1 complaints (20%)
Speed control 1 complaints (20%)

Recalls (2)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 06E024000 2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL…

Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

AIR BAGS 01V153000 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT…

Federal defect investigations

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION EA03023 opened 2003, closed 2005

Led to recall campaign 04V596000.

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE PE02082 opened 2002, closed 2003

Technical service bulletins

10 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and electrical — are on file for the 1997 Dodge Durango. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 1997 Durango TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2000peak 3 in 20042006

Questions buyers ask

Is the 1997 Dodge Durango reliable?

The 1997 Dodge Durango drew 5 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 0/100, scored against the model's worst year (1999).

What are the most common 1997 Dodge Durango problems?

The top reported problems for the 1997 Dodge Durango are suspension (3 complaints), brakes & stability (1), and speed control (1).

Does the 1997 Dodge Durango have recalls?

2 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

All Durango years 1998 Durango →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.