1998 Dodge Durango: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 965 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (52% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 965 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“"takata airbag" I was in a accident where a person ran a red light, going about 45 mph and I t-bone that person's vehicle, with me going about 40 mph. The airbag delayed on deployment in my vehicle. I had my seat-belt on but I still ended up hitting my chest on the steering wheel and hitting my head on the windshield before airbag deployed. I am trying to figure out if my airbag can get defective over years because of the delay of deployment. I don't know if it is a takata airbag that isn't on the recall list yet or not. I still have the vehicle and the airbag part itself that I can give you the numbers off of. Someone reminded me about the takata airbags so I figured I ask.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge durango. While the vehicle was idling, the engine suddenly shut off. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injection lines were faulty. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued to occur. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the ceiling light inside the vehicle would erroneously turn on. In addition, when depressing the brake pedal, a banging noise was present coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 156,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2015
“The cv joint came out ruin the lower ball joints which caused rubbing on my inner rim, after a while it has cause the inner rim to to break out while I was driving. We have replaced the cv joint, wheel hub bearing, upper and lower ball joints and the steering ball joint. Now the lower ball joint is still hitting the inner rim and I can't drive”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall - I was in a car accident on 8/11/2015 and the airbag did not deploy. Accident occurred on roadway and was in motion making a left turn when struck on the right side of vehicle.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge durango. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 241,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2015
“I was crossing thru a unpaved road which was a little bumpy rocking my truck from left to right an my driver seat slid forward an back in which I heard a snap an my seat dropped in the back after sliding forward an back a couple times. Now my seat is at an odd position and when I come to a stop or drive off from a stop my seat slides back or forward. Very uncomfortable. *tr”Owner report · Seats · May 2014
“The drivers side power seat moves backwards about 2 inches when I accelerate and comes forward the same amount when I brake. I purchased the vehicle used and the previous owner said it has always been that way. After researching online I have found hundreds of cases of the same thing. A recall is in order here as not only does this malfunction affect the safety of driver and passengers, it will only get worse as the movement will eventually cause the entire thing to fail. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact applied the accelerator pedal to the floorboard but the vehicle would not respond beyond 30 mph. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
“We on the road driving around 7:30 and I noticed my truck was losing power...I looked in my side mirror and saw smoke... I pulled over and my truck was on fire... The fire dept was called they had to remove the boot around the 4 wheel drive lever to put the fire out... Truck destroyed.. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2013
“Drivers side electric seat moves back when accelerating and goes forward when braking feels like your going to go through the windshield. *tr”Owner report · Seats · May 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 51 of these complaints and injuries in 31 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Remedy: 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 CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
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 KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FASTENER WHICH SECURES THE GENERATOR CABLE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (PDC) HAS AN INSUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD, RESULTING IN A LOOSE CONNECTION AND ELECTRICAL ARCING AT THE CONNECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE GENERATOR CABLE AND BATTERY CABLE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT AN UNDERBODY CROSSMEMBER EVENTUALLY WEARING A HOLE IN THE TUBE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RUBBER ISOLATOR ON ALL VEHICLES THAT DO NOT INDICATE TUBE CONTACT. VEHICLES THAT SHOW CONTACT AND HAVE LESS THAN 45,000 MILES AND NO SIGNS OF RED RUST WILL HAVE THE RUBBER ISOLATOR INSTALLED WITH SILICONE TO PROTECT THE TUBE WHERE THE COATING HAS WORN OFF. VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT CONTACT, AND HAVE MORE THAN 45,000 MILES OR SHOW SIGNS OF RED RUST, WILL HAVE THE BRAKE TUBE REPLACED WITH THE PRODUCTION TUBE AND ISOLATOR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK STRAP CAN SEPARATE DUE TO FATIGUE DURING OPERATION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TANK WILL BE UNSUPPORTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FUEL LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOUBLE TOGGLE LOCK FUEL TANK STRAPS WITH SINGLE TOGGLE LOCK DESIGN. NOTE: AFFECTED VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH MAY 21, 1998, ALSO REQUIRE THE REAR BRAKE TUBE INSPECTION/REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK STRAP AND BRAKE TUBE REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED ON THESE VHEICLES IN A SINGLE SERVICE PROCEDURE UNDER RECALL 99V-341/DAIMLERCHRYSLER #841. AFFECTED VEHICLES BUILT FROM MAY 22, 1998 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 1999, ONLY REQUIRE THE FUEL TANK STRAP REPAIR, WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED UNDER RECALL 99V-342/DAIMLERCHRYSLER #842.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Durango by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Durango reliable?
NHTSA has 965 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Durango. The most complained-about area is suspension (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Durango problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Durango have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.