1998 Dodge DURANGO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
847 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 439 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 368 of 847 complaints (43.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 107 | 12.6% |
| Steering behavior | 78 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 42 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 1.4% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 368 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 293 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 41 |
| Suspension:Front | 35 |
| Suspension | 33 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 31 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 29 |
| Seats | 25 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 368; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 293; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 41; Suspension:Front: 35; Suspension: 33; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 31; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 29; Seats: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 80 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 156 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 94 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 75 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 80; 50,000 to 74,999: 156; 75,000 to 99,999: 94; 100,000 to 149,999: 75; 150,000 and above: 16
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (156). 408 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 61 |
| 2001 | 70 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 253 |
| 2004 | 237 |
| 2005 | 86 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 61; 2001: 70; 2002: 54; 2003: 253; 2004: 237; 2005: 86; 2006: 22; 2007: 6; 2008: 17; 2009: 9; 2010: 10; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 107 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 78 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 42 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008139 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT 2 SAFTY DEFECTS WITH MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO. FIRST IS THE POOR QUALITY WHEEL STUDS. DURING VARIOUS TIRE ROTATIONS AT A QUALIFIED SERVICE CENTER, SIX STUDS HAVE BROKEN (TWICE AT THE DEALER). I'M REALLY WORRIED THAT AT SOME POINT A WHEEL MAY COME OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. SECOND, THE DRIVERS POWER ADJUST SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING BRAKING & ACCELERATION. THIS IS ANNOYING AND I'M AFRAID THAT EVENTUALLY, IT'S GOING TO BREAK ALL THE WAY LOOSE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028821 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
I HAVE BEEN READING THE COMPLAINTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE DODGE DURANGO AFTER HEARING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FIXING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING DESCRIBED. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY, WOULD STAY ON FOR AWHILE, THEN GO OUT. WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT ON THE COMPUTER, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THEN MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED JUMPING FROM 0 TO 60 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR, A SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBL…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002904 · 2003-01-18 (January 18, 2003)
INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. 34,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005095 · 2003-02-02 (February 2, 2003)
EXCESSIVE PLAY AND OFF-CENTERED STEERING WAS CORRECTED AT 47K MILES BY DEALER- ADJUSTMENT TO THE STEERING BOX. PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED AT 87K MILES. CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH OFF CENTERED STEERING AND NOW-GROWING TRACKING PROBLEMS WITH CONSTANT CORRECTIONS NEEDED TO KEEP VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT LINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008494 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH ONLY 59200 MILES ON IT WHICH NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. (HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE OVER DRIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS BAD) THIS, FORTUNATELY, HAS NOT CAUSED ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT BUT AFTER HEARING ALL THE HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE DURANGO'S, MY WIFE AND I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THE NEVER ENDING PROBLEMS WITH THESE TRUCKS - BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 58,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010842 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60,000 MILES. SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO FAILURE WERE HESITATION SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN TRUCK WAS INITIALLY STARTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 62,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004641 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD SHUT OFF, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO CONSUMER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029897 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE AND EVENTUALLY THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT ONE. ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WERE AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT. *AK THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003320 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE ON THE WAY TO WORK, OIL PRESSURE GOES TO 0 AND TRUCK STALLED. GOT TRUCK TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS INFORMED BY SHOP THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY PROBLEM WE HAVE EVER HAD WITH THIS TRUCK AND NOW I SEARCH THE INTERNET AND FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AND THAT THE COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR ENGINES AND DOESN'T ADMIT THERE IS ANY PROBLEMS. NOW WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE $4,000 - $6,000 TO GET A NEW ENGINE AND STILL MAKE A TRUCK PAYM…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028866 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
RETURNING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP, THE DURANGO STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE, THEN QUIT WITHIN SECONDS OF THE ORIGINAL NOISE, WITH A LOUD CLUNK. THE "CHECK ENGINE GUAGES" LIGHT DID NOT COME ON PRIOR TO THE LOUD NOISE. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND FORTUNATELY THE ENGINE QUIT NEXT TO A VEHICLE TURNOUT. IF THE ENGINE FAILURE HAD OCCURED A FEW SECONDS EARLIER, OR A FEW SECONDS LATER, MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS DANGER, AND I WOULD HAVE ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AT RISK OF HITTING MY STALLED VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC FOUND A USED ENGI…
Owner-reported narrative. 107,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032440 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, THE RIGHT INNER TIRE ROD AND THE IDLE ARM. *PH THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10228118 · 2008-05-18 (May 18, 2008)
1998 DODGE DURANGO HAS A RECALL ON FUEL LEAK. POSSIBLE UNDERBODY FIRE CAN HAPPEN. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH MY SON DRIVING AND HE MANAGED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228118 at NHTSA ↗