1998 Dodge Durango

965 complaints on file, page 1 of 49.

1. Filed Jan 15, 2021Failure Jan 12, 2021240,000 milesFortuna, CAPower train, Steering, Vehicle speed controlCrash2 injured

   DUE TO TO UNEVEN DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED, OR TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPIN AND NOT MOVE, AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IGNITION WAS SHUT-OFF. IT WAS ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ABOUT 50 FEET TO A PARKING PLACE. ANOTHER PERSON OFFERS TO HELP, THEN PUSHES VEHICLE 25/50 FEET...ADVISES TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAS USED A LOT OF POWER STEERING FLUID ALMOST DAILY(HAS A HISTORY OF SQUEALING AND HARD TURNING AT START UNLESS LUBRICATED). SO ADVICE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN REVERSE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE EVEN HARDER TO TURN, IF AT ALL. I REQUESTED HELP FROM THE BYSTANDER, WHO AT WHICH POINT COMES TO THE DRIVER SIDE WHERE I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALSO. IT'S UNKNOWN IF THE BYSTANDER HELP TURNED THE IGNITION ON, OR IF THE IGNITION SOMEHOW TURNED ON BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED BY ONE ADDITION PASSENGER AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN REVERSE GEAR, WITHOUT ANYONE PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THERE WERE MINOR TO SEVERE INJURIES, AND DAMAGE TO 2 VEHICLES AND ONE STRUCTURE.

   NHTSA complaint 11388250
2. Filed Apr 29, 2018Failure Aug 11, 2015130,000 milesAlbuquerque, NMUnknown or otherCrash1 injured

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11090896
3. Filed Jan 29, 2018Failure Jul 24, 2016210,000 milesAlbany, OHAir bagsCrash1 injured

   "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.

   NHTSA complaint 11065718
4. Filed Jan 10, 2018Failure Mar 6, 2011140,000 milesMooresville, NCUnknown or other

   ALL 4 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE GONE OUT.

   NHTSA complaint 11061593
5. Filed Jul 20, 2016Failure May 15, 200674,064 milesST. Peters, MOPower train, Suspension

   BOUGHT MY DURANGO NEW IN MAY 1998. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING IMPROPERLY IN JULY 2000. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY (31,418 MILES). THEY DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND PRONOUNCED IT DOA (PAN WAS FULL OF METAL SHAVINGS). SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE WRITING ON THE WALL BUT I LOVED THIS VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO AN INSPECTION STATION FOR SAFETY & EMISSIONS TESTS IN MAY OF 2006. IT FAILED FOR BAD BALL JOINTS. I ASKED THE MANAGER WHY HIS MECHANICS SEEMED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FRONT END DURING INSPECTION AND HIS REPLY WAS IT WAS VERY COMMON TO FIND BAD BALL JOINTS ON APPROX. 50% OF ALL 1998-2000 DURANGOS. HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS, BOTH SIDES, AT 74,064 MILES, TO THE TUNE OF $701 PLUS TAX. I THEN STARTED HEARING ABOUT OTHER DURANGO OWNERS WITH SIMILAR BALL JOINT WOES. I WENT ONLINE AND STARTED RESEARCHING. FOUND A SITE WHERE FOLKS LIKE MYSELF WITH THE SAME BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, SOME WITH ACCIDENTS, WERE TRYING TO GET NHTSA TO DO SOMETHING. I GUESS PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE TO DIE FIRST BEFORE NHTSA WILL STEP IN AND TELL AN AUTO MANUFACTURER THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PRODUCTS. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE 1998-2000 DURANGOS WERE BUILT ON THE DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP CHASSIS. A DAKOTA WEIGHS ABOUT 4,600 LBS. WHILE A DURANGO 4X4 WEIGHS IN AT 6,400 LBS. IT'S NO WONDER THE 1998-2000 DURANGO FRONT-ENDS WERE FALLING APART. SERIOUSLY, WHAT KIND OF IDIOT ENGINEERS DOES DODGE HAVE WORKING FOR THEM. SOMETIME LATER I HEARD THAT DODGE RUSHED THE DURANGO INTO PRODUCTION IN 1998 TO COMPETE FOR THE SUV MARKET BUCKS AND DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO ENGINEER A NEW CHASSIS SO THEY JUST MODIFIED THE DAKOTA CHASSIS WITHOUT BEEFING IT UP. WHEN PEOPLE STARTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BALL JOINTS AND SUCH, THEY BUILT A WHOLE NEW CHASSIS FOR DURANGOS IN 2001. I STUMBLED ACROSS THIS SITE TODAY WHILE RESEARCHING ANOTHER VEHICLE I'M THINKING ABOUT BUYING.

   NHTSA complaint 10886041
6. Filed Jan 27, 2016Failure Dec 1, 2015156,000 milesFrankford, KYElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Interior lighting, Service brakes

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10822477
7. Filed Aug 29, 2015Failure Aug 14, 2015Gillette, WYSuspension

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10760195
8. Filed Mar 4, 2015Failure Mar 3, 2015241,000 milesAuburn, WAExterior lighting

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10692053
9. Filed Jan 21, 2015Failure May 19, 2014197,243 milesPortland, ORSeats

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10678155
10. Filed Jun 3, 2014Failure Feb 22, 201396,000 milesJanesville, WIAir bags, Fuel system, Gasoline, Seat beltsCrash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A PATCH OF BLACK ICE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL BEFORE ROLLING OVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED INSTEAD OF RESTRAINING THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 11/20/14 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE IN SHOCK AND HAVE HAD ONGOING BACK PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER NEEDED A METAL ROD IN THE BACK DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT. UPDATED 5/6/2015 *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10595859
11. Filed Apr 26, 2014Failure Apr 2, 2010198,000 milesBelen, NMSeats

    DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 04/26/2014 COMPONENT(S): SEATS DATE OF INCIDENT: 04/02/2010 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10565005 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): SUMMARY: 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

    NHTSA complaint 10585029
12. Filed Feb 19, 2014Failure Feb 19, 2014127,000 milesKokomo, INSeats

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10565005
13. Filed Jan 6, 2014Failure Jan 6, 201268,000 milesPensacola, FLSuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF

    NHTSA complaint 10558610
14. Filed Jan 2, 2014Failure Jan 1, 2014Constantine, MIPower train

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10558139
15. Filed Nov 9, 2013Failure Oct 30, 2013195,000 milesFlint, MIElectrical systemFire

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10551626
16. Filed May 10, 2013Failure May 10, 2013151,630 milesCrimora, VASeats

    DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT MOVES BACK WHEN ACCELERATING AND GOES FORWARD WHEN BRAKING FEELS LIKE YOUR GOING TO GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10511457
17. Filed Feb 28, 2013Failure Feb 28, 201395,600 milesAustin, TXElectronic stability control (esc), Service brakes

    NYLE MAXWELL DODGE SUPERCENTER IN AUSTIN TEXAS WAS PAID TO FIX MY SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY AND STAYS ON 100 PERCENT OF THE TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE A SENSOR WHICH WOULD COST JUST OVER $1100, AND WAS REQUIRED TO SIGN OFF ON A FORM SO THEY COULD BEGIN THE WORK. AFTER THEY HAD MY DODGE DURANGO A COUPLE OF DAYS, FEBRUARY 27, 2013, I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM SERVICE TO SAY THEY COULD NOT COMPLETELY FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON "INTERMITTENTLY". THEIR EXPLANATION WAS CONFUSING. SO I BELIEVE THAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THIS, IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THAT THE ABS BRAKE WILL NOT BE WORKING AT ALL. AFTER THIS, I WAS GIVEN AN OPTION OF PAYING ANOTHER $350 FOR A SEPARATE PART, PERHAPS "MODULE" AND THE SERVICE MAN FELT IT WOULD BE THE SOLUTION. I COLLECTED MY CAR WITHOUT NYLE MAXWELL DODGE SUPERCENTER HAVING FIXED THIS $1100 ISSUE. BUT I PAID THEIR BILL. (I NEED TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE FOR A SECOND UNBIASED OPINION.) AS A CUSTOMER/CONSUMER OF THEIR SERVICE AGREEMENT, I SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPECT THEM TO FIX IT FROM HERE ON OUT TO COMPLETION AT THE EXPENSE OF NYLE MAXWELL DODGE SUPERCENTER; OR REFUND ME. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10500876
18. Filed Jun 9, 2012Failure Jun 1, 201287,000 milesBogart, GASeats

    DRIVING ALONG WHEN SEAT TRACK "BROKE" SEAT NOW TRAVELS BACK AND FORWARD WHILE DRIVING, BRAKING OR ACCELLERATING...CAUSING MY BODY TO BE PUSHED FORWARD OR BACKWARD. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITHIN ITSELF. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. MY DURANGO ONLY HAS AROUND 87,000 ORIGINAL MILES AN EXTREMELY WELL TAKEN CARE OF TRUCK BUT WITH THIS PROBLEM, I FILL LIKE I AM DRIVING A BROKE DOWN PEICE OF SH.. AND I LOVE MY TRUCK. SEEMS LIKE I HAVE BEEN LUCKY FOR MINE TO HAVE LASTED AS LONG. *JS

    NHTSA complaint 10461114
19. Filed May 25, 2012Failure May 24, 2012115,000 milesMoultonboro, NHSeats

    WHILE ACCELERATING, HEARD A "SNAP" UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. THIS POWER SEAT NOW HAS A ROCKING MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND COUNTLESS NUMBER OF BLOGS AND COMMENTS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM, WITH SOME SAYING THEIR SEAT IS ACTUALLY SLIDING BACK AND FORTH ON THE SEAT RAILS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, WARRANTING SOME RECALL OR REMEDY BY CHRYSLER. IF THIS SEAT CAN SLIDE FREE IN A HARD ACCELERATION OR EMERGENCY STOP, THIS COULD CREATE ACCIDENT OR SEVERE INJURY. THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER ! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10459706
20. Filed Apr 20, 2011Failure Apr 20, 2011OSH Kosh, WITires

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH COOPER DISCOVER STT TIRES, TIRE SIZE 31X10/50/R15, DOT NUMBER WAS 60DWE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FELT UNSTABLE. ONCE AT HER DESTINATION, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS TORN APART. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10396901