The 2009 Dodge Durango (final year of the third-gen platform before the redesign) shares the Chrysler/Jeep heritage with solid truck bones but suffers from chronic transmission cooling issues, electrical gremlins, and notorious HEMI engine failures tied to dropped valve seats and cam/lifter problems.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure & Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Strawberry milkshake fluid (coolant mixing with ATF in radiator-mounted cooler), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or complete failure, Pink or frothy fluid on dipstick, Check engine light with transmission-related codes
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler (often integrated into radiator), flush transmission and cooling system, sometimes requires transmission rebuild if contamination damage occurred. 6-10 hours labor if trans is salvageable, 15-20+ if rebuild needed.
Symptoms: Catastrophic ticking or knocking from engine, Sudden misfire, loss of compression on one or more cylinders, Metal shavings in oil, low oil pressure, Engine won't start or runs extremely rough after valve seat drops
Fix: Dropped valve seats require cylinder head replacement or rebuild with upgraded seats (both heads typically done). Cam/lifter issues need camshaft, all lifters, and often heads inspected. 20-30 hours labor for heads, 25-35 for full top-end overhaul.
Estimated cost: $4,000-$8,000
Front Differential Pinion Bearing Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or howling noise from front end, speed-dependent, Noise changes with throttle application, Vibration under acceleration, Metal debris in differential fluid
Fix: Pinion bearing replacement requires differential teardown, new crush sleeve, bearings, seals, and pattern setup. 5-7 hours labor. Sometimes finds ring/pinion damage requiring full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $900-$1,800
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Fuel pump not priming, no-start condition, Intermittent electrical issues (windows, wipers, gauges), Warning lights flickering randomly, Horn honking on its own, door locks cycling
Fix: TIPM replacement requires removal from fuse box area, programming to VIN. 1.5-2.5 hours labor. Used units are risky, aftermarket rebuilds common. Some owners attempt relay/transistor-level repairs.
Estimated cost: $600-$1,400
Ball Joint Wear (Front Lower)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Wandering or loose steering feel, Tire wear on inside or outside edge, Play in wheel when prying with bar during inspection
Fix: Lower ball joints not serviceable separately—requires full lower control arm replacement. Both sides typically done together. 3-4 hours labor for both sides, alignment required after.
Estimated cost: $700-$1,200
Exhaust Manifold Bolts & Warping (4.7L & 5.7L)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping from engine bay, worse when cold, Exhaust smell in cabin, Visible soot around manifold-to-head interface, Failed emissions test due to leak
Fix: Remove manifolds, replace stretched/broken bolts with upgraded hardware, machine head surface if warped, reinstall with high-temp sealant. 4-6 hours labor per side if heads don't need machining.
Estimated cost: $600-$1,500
Rear Liftgate Struts & Latch Mechanism
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Liftgate won't stay open, falls on head, Power liftgate erratic or won't latch, Manual operation difficult, requires slamming, Latch stuck in open or closed position
Fix: Replace liftgate struts (pair), sometimes latch motor or striker. Struts 0.5 hours, latch motor 1-1.5 hours. Power latch requires scan tool calibration in some cases.
Estimated cost: $200-$600
Owner tips
Install auxiliary transmission cooler IMMEDIATELY if you tow anything—the factory cooler is inadequate and will fail
Check transmission fluid color monthly; pink/frothy means cooler breach, stop driving and tow to shop
5.7L HEMI owners: use quality oil, change every 5k miles, and listen for ticking—early cam/lifter noise can be caught before catastrophic failure
Inspect front differential fluid at every oil change if you have 4WD—early bearing noise is your warning
TIPM issues often intermittent; if weird electrical stuff starts, address it before you're stranded
Budget $2-3k/year for unexpected repairs after 100k miles—these are cheap to buy used for a reason
Buy only if you can wrench yourself or have $3k emergency fund—transmission cooler and HEMI issues make this a gamble, but solid truck bones if you catch problems early and maintain religiously.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V021000
2018-01-09 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V947000
2016-12-22 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen vehicles manufactured January 17, 2007, to December 18, 2008, and 2010 RAM 3500 cab chassis manufactured September 25, 2009, to February 1, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S92. Note: This recall covers vehicles that were accidentally excluded from recall 15V-313.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V352000
2016-05-24 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B."
Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · 13V038000
2013-02-06 · PE12021
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
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