[Pappy35]

Hello there.

So I'm needing something bigger than my Optima (great car BTY but too small for me now that I've got a new house and all...). A minivan would be slightly too big and, of course, it's a Minivan! Shopping around and researching it looks like I'm settling in on the Durango (I'll switch to being a cool guy and call it a D after a few more posts...gotta work up my Forum cred a bit first...).

Like every damn car I've ever researched, the relevant forums are full of problems, tranny rough shifts, radio EQ, blah, blah, blah..., and praises, and everything in between. Does anyone here know if there's a source for unbiased reliability statistics out there I could look at?

 

[Rico911]

Truedelta.com might have some info, owners post their repairs ant the site compiles the info. My previous vehicles were two acuras, a lexus, volvo, and a toyota tundra. The quality control in the durango factory is deffinately lacking compared to my previous cars. Misaligned body panels, squeaks/rattles, wind noise, leaking shocks. Didn't notice any harsh trans shifting. I need a suv that can tow my boat and haul kids and gear. The tahoe and expedition are too big for my taste. The durango is the only vehicle that fits my needs so I tolerate the quality issues. If I didn't need to tow, I would probably go with a highlander or cx-9.

 

[AmStatic]

Welcome to the forum!

nobody asked for it, but here's my 1 cent.. And let me point out I don't work for Dodge, or have any automotive background AT ALL. I'm a consumer... An Owner. That's all. I have no affiliation to this forum other than that I come here for information and discussion about the D.

Here's the thing... people come to forums like this for 2 reason.. They're either looking for information and discussion about the vehicle, or looking to complain about a problem they're having in hopes of getting information and discussion about the vehicle.

Here's what Consumer Reports said about it... (It's one of the reasons I ever considered a D (it's ok to call it a "D" as a newbie, or a "Durango" as a Moderator.) http://www.dodgedurango.net/forums/durango-discussions-2014/19136-were-number-one.html

Personally, as of yesterday I've had mine 1 year. I've put 15k miles on it, and I haven't had issue 1 (unless you consider an alignment and a tire rotation last week as an issue).

I've driven quite a few different makes and models over the years... And it's been since I was 17 that I was his excited about my car. I've driven everything from a CRX to a Cherokee to a Cadillac to an Xterra.. And the D is definitely one of the top 2 cars I've owned so far (I know... It's only been a year) and tech and style and features wise, it's the definitely the most bad-ass.. And I have the base SXT with the 3.6 Pentastar engine. Are the panels not 100% aligned? Sure.. Maybe.. Have some people had issues with things like leeky struts, or electrical problems. Definitely. I haven't, yet, but they absolutely have. It was all covered by warranty I think. Still an inconvenience no doubt. I recently saw a guy in here say he got his lemon-lawed and the dealer hadda buy it back... Which would totally suck if that happened to me. I'd be really mad and sad.

But again... Remember why most of us are here.. Information and discussion about the vehicle...

Go take a test drive... See if you like it.

 

[OurZoo]

Just buy one and hope you get one built on Hump day.

 

[Bryali]

Like AmStatic said, the forums are full of problems because that's a good part of why they exist: to share knowledge and fix problems. Sure, we also brag on how awesome these things are and show off whatever mods we've done, but you have to realize that nobody complains about problems they're NOT having. Nobody sings praises about things that are working 100% exactly as they are supposed to. We only talk about good or bad that is outside of what we consider normal or expected. Plus, consider the number of D's/Durangos sold in each model year and the number of members on here.....there are WAY more out there than those of us that are vocal on here or any other forum.

Consumer Reports said good things, Motor Trend said some good things about the mid-cycle refresh in '14, but what do YOU say? Test drive one (or a few) and then make up your mind.

Other than "bigger than an Optima", what are you looking for in the vehicle? Trips to the grocery store or across the country? Hauling things or just hauling butt? Is there a Mrs. Pappy and a few little mini-pappy's or is this just something bigger for you?

Giving us an idea of what you need/want will help us give you a recommendation for things to look for or things to avoid. Chances are, there's someone on this forum with a vehicle very close to what you want and they're using it to do something very close to what you want to do with it.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

The Minor issues that are present in some D's are just a Nuisance. I feel there are things that are aggravating with all makes and models. Mechanical things built in bulk can have issues, with technology comes glitches. Nothing life threatening, nothing unsafe. The Durango is a Versatile True Mid-Lg TRUE SUV. No vehicle this size or even bigger in some cases compares in Power, tow capacity or technological advances. It is a mass built auto and sometimes the robots may have a bad moment.
The Key is finding a GREAT Dealership to deal with. Service is Key! It must be done right and done by techs that are TRAINED by Dodge. Not just the dealer that sells the most cars where most techs are just car wash jockeys that prep 20 cars every Sat because that dealer makes Great sales goals.
I am fortunate to have a dealer that is not only great but they are enthusiast as well. They respect my ride and the same tech that works on major items on my D works on just my oil changes.
Shop around, try different models get the one you want and ask to visit each Service Department.
STEVE

 

[Pappy35]

Thanks for the input. I am aware that people have the tendency to post when they have issues as opposed to when they are good and have read all the reviews and comparison's (the link to C&D issue was great BTY as I hadn't seen it yet). I'm on Truedelta already adding data for my Optimas and there wasn't a whole lot there to look at.

The Durango definitely looks like the right vehicle for me. Mainly I was hoping to find a way to assess it's reliability based on actual data as reviews don't, understandably, address this.

Does anyone know how many -14's and -15's Dodge has sold? We have two dealers here in Memphis that look good (Wolfchase and Collierville) so I'll stop by and talk to the Service folks a bit.

 

[AmStatic]

Does anyone know how many -14's and -15's Dodge has sold?

I could only find thru '14.. see below.. Like I mentioned.. I hadn't even considered a Dodge vehicle while I was looking for a new car.. (replacing my 9 yr old Xterra).. I'd driven the new X, and a Rogue (those frickin things are EVERYwhere.. I've been at a stoplight sitting amongst 3 of them simultaneously)..

After being in an X, there was no way I was getting a 4-cylinder, front wheel drive SUV.

I just happened to see there was a dealership like 3 miles from my house one Saturday afternoon, looked up their models, went to Consumer Reports, read the D was the number one choice under large SUVs, read the great safety results, saw the price, and went to the dealership.

Drove the Journey first.. (ugh) then the Durango, and I bought it the next day after bringing the wife to the dealer for a test-drive, who agreed with me that THAT was the one.

I'm not sure how much she expected me to get involved in ownership tho.. lol. Mods, forums.. hell, I even bought the novelty watch.

No, I wasnt kidding about the watch, either..

 

[nj15rango]

I came out of a sport sedan as well. Here is what sold me:

1. It's actually fun to drive, which is uncommon in the 3 row segment. Dodge got it right when it balanced handling with ride quality. And it doesn't drive like a big heavy truck.
2. The 3rd row is actually usable for adults.
3. 2nd row captain chairs option. Critical if you want 3rd row access without folding chairs.
4. The V6 has nice power, and you have the Hemi V8 option for a little more oomph.
5. Fuel economy in the V6: I'm getting about 21-22 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

My opinion on some of the competitors:

1. The Highlander 3rd row is a joke, and the nav screen is strangely tilted upwards, so sun washout is an issue.
2. The large GMC's and Chevy's (Yukon, Tahoe, etc.) were 10-15k more for comparable equipment.
3. The Acadia is nice but feels outdated, and no push-button start. If you have this feature already, it's hard to go back. And if you have (or plan to have) kids, push-button start is great.
4. The Enclave is also decent, but the V6 felt underpowered in highway merging. And the speedometer cluster looks like it's out of the 80's.

 

[Pappy35]

Great post. Haven't driven one yet but will very soon. Your comments mirror my research.

I love the looks of the new Jimmy's but price and fuel burn are killers. The Acadia is nice (rented one to drive RT from Memphis to Atlanta) but I used up a little over a full tank going one way (only 370 miles, ~24 gal.) so it only got about 16mpg which is pitiful. It was new and I was on cruise at about 70-75 the whole way. Yeah, push button start is Da Bomb. My Optima has it and that's one thing I will never go without again.

I came out of a sport sedan as well. Here is what sold me:

1. It's actually fun to drive, which is uncommon in the 3 row segment. Dodge got it right when it balanced handling with ride quality. And it doesn't drive like a big heavy truck.
2. The 3rd row is actually usable for adults.
3. 2nd row captain chairs option. Critical if you want 3rd row access without folding chairs.
4. The V6 has nice power, and you have the Hemi V8 option for a little more oomph.
5. Fuel economy in the V6: I'm getting about 21-22 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

My opinion on some of the competitors:

1. The Highlander 3rd row is a joke, and the nav screen is strangely tilted upwards, so sun washout is an issue.
2. The large GMC's and Chevy's (Yukon, Tahoe, etc.) were 10-15k more for comparable equipment.
3. The Acadia is nice but feels outdated, and no push-button start. If you have this feature already, it's hard to go back. And if you have (or plan to have) kids, push-button start is great.
4. The Enclave is also decent, but the V6 felt underpowered in highway merging. And the speedometer cluster looks like it's out of the 80's.

 

[Pappy35]

View attachment 23436

Wow! 2010 was a REALLY bad year...

 

[AmStatic]

Wow! 2010 was a REALLY bad year...

I think that was the year before the remodel.. so I dont they even made them.. Kelley Blue Book doesnt even list them..

Kelley Blue Book

 

[Pappy35]

Over the weekend I drove two D's: One was a '14 base SXT and the other was a '15 Limited Blacktop both V6's with RWD.

'14 Impressions:
I was not impressed overall. While it handled very nicely, I did note a hard 2-1 downshift a couple of times. It was in Econ Mode and it was very reluctant to downshift when accelerating. So much so that I just about had to floor the gas to get it to do so and then, when it finally got around to downshifting, it would drop two or three gears and lurch forward. I found the cloth seats uncomfortable as well though that may just be 'cause I'm used to leather.

'15 Impressions
After driving the '14 I was very discouraged. I couldn't believe that a vehicle that drove that badly would get so many positive expert reviews so I decided to go to another dealer (the first only had two '14's) the next day and try out a '15. Completely different beast. I left it in Econ mode, to make sure it was an apples-to-apples comparison, and swear it was like I was driving a different model it was that different. The shift points, both up and down, were spot-on and smooth. It had great power and handled great. Very, very impressed. I'm chalking up difference to updated transmission software as the first one had been on the lot for a very long time and the '15 had come off the truck the day I drove it (it wasn't even prepped).

I drove it on the highway, cruise set at 65mph, and found it very quiet. I reset one of the trip computers and found a nice, flat stretch and drove like this until it settled down to a steady 25.4mpg. I then reset it again and drove back to the dealer on city roads to get a feel for what the city economy was like and got a little over 19. The distances I drove were too short to claim these are truly accurate but they are in-line with what everyone else seems to be getting.

So, I'm totally in. The BIG issue now is what's going to happen for the '16 MY and whether to wait or just go ahead and order...

 

[SilverRT]

I've had my 2014 R/T a little over a year and it's on about 22k miles. Absolutely satisfied and enjoy driving it every chance I get. It's might wife's daily driver and we are both car enthusiast..we don't buy cars just to get from point A to B. We have owned mostly reliable foreign cars Honda, Lexus and Toyota. My daily driver is a 2010 Tundra and I would trade it today for another D or maybe a Ram. Honestly we bought the D for looks and the Hemi. I never was the one to go to a Dodge lot and be tempted..always heard bad reliability issues and blah blah. I'm glad we took the shot at this D. As some have said it's the most enjoyable vehicle I have had in years. I had a 2007 Trailblazer SS that was a rattle trap and inside quality was trash. I loved it but mostly because of the big V8. This SUV has the V8 good gas mileage and all the bells and whistles of most luxury vehciles( depending on how u option it). We drove a Rallye version for around 2 weeks while we waited for ours to be delivered and I was really impressed as well. The V6 has more than enough power for the average consumer. It does have a few body panel and hood issues but nothing that bothers me. I smile every time I crank it.

 

[Durangutan]

Yep, 2010 was a down year, since they didn't make them. Actually, very pathetic sales numbers for just about the entire gen 2 run. People liked the HEMI availability and had a lingering affection for the gen 1, so early sales were brisk but obviously fell off quickly. And really, 2009 numbers are far more embarrassing than the 2010 numbers because 2009 was actually a production year for the D. Yikes. But alas, you are not here to discuss that generation.

The current generation is pretty dang spiffy. And regardless of whether this is a family oriented purchase or not, I still strongly suggest you consider an R/T. Combined with the Blacktop package, that's a real stunner of a model. HEMI powerplant, and aggressive stance, and lots of happy little creature comforts and tech on the inside. Not that you care, but that is what I would get if I got a new D. For now I'm sticking with my poor little outcast 2007.

 

[AmStatic]

I've had my 2014 R/T a little over a year and it's on about 22k miles. Absolutely satisfied and enjoy driving it every chance I get. It's might wife's daily driver and we are both car enthusiast..we don't buy cars just to get from point A to B. We have owned mostly reliable foreign cars Honda, Lexus and Toyota. My daily driver is a 2010 Tundra and I would trade it today for another D or maybe a Ram. Honestly we bought the D for looks and the Hemi. I never was the one to go to a Dodge lot and be tempted..always heard bad reliability issues and blah blah. I'm glad we took the shot at this D. As some have said it's the most enjoyable vehicle I have had in years. I had a 2007 Trailblazer SS that was a rattle trap and inside quality was trash. I loved it but mostly because of the big V8. This SUV has the V8 good gas mileage and all the bells and whistles of most luxury vehciles( depending on how u option it). We drove a Rallye version for around 2 weeks while we waited for ours to be delivered and I was really impressed as well. The V6 has more than enough power for the average consumer. It does have a few body panel and hood issues but nothing that bothers me. I smile every time I crank it.

Hear, hear!

 

[Jacob L.]

Look at it this way:

Many of the more serious issues you see in this forum are with quality control, from rear struts, to front axles leaking grease to paint issues.

Most of these are simple fixes, even if they are annoying for the owners.

As far as I can see, there are no serious design flaws or widely reported problems that affect lots of owners.

Also consider that this model has been out since MY2011 in its current form with a few upgrades, most notably the 8 speed transmission update. This means it is pretty well sorted now for any big design issues.

For me, my biggest issue pre-purchase was dealing with Chrysler's less-than-stellar reputation for quality, but again, the main components in the drivetrain seem solid and well-proven, so I went ahead, though I got the lifetime maxCare warranty.

Finally, there's the quality of your surrounding dealers, and post-purchase that has turned out to be my biggest issue. The closest dealer (not where I bought my D) has some problems with customer service in their shop, so I am probably going to drive 15-20 minutes to another dealership in a smaller town, where they treated me really well on my first oil change.

And, of course, make sure to test drive a D to see if it fits your needs. Look closely at the V6 - I have an RT with the V8, but find the V6 plenty strong for the vehicle (not counting any towing experience) and it gets somewhat better gas mileage.

Good luck picking your unique D ;o)