1998 Dodge Durango
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 965 |
| 1999 | 1967 |
| 2000 | 1075 |
| 2001 | 665 |
| 2002 | 423 |
| 2003 | 339 |
| 2004 | 1114 |
| 2005 | 1567 |
| 2006 | 851 |
| 2007 | 191 |
| 2008 | 97 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2011 | 797 |
| 2012 | 639 |
| 2013 | 640 |
| 2014 | 782 |
| 2015 | 503 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 210 |
| 2018 | 229 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 54 |
| 2021 | 198 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 12 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
84% of complaints: suspension — 815 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing upper ball joint and lower ball joint.
CRASH FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: power train — 111 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210115
11% of complaints: service brakes — 103 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH FIRE INJURY10% of complaints: steering — 100 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and gear box (other than rack and pinion).
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AFTER VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AND WAS SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE-, HITTING A CARPORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19980803
8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 75 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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 A
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE GENERATOR CABLE AND BATTERY CABLE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Campaign 98V019000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 99V342000 — check if this car was fixed
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 ISOL
Campaign 99V341000 — check if this car was fixed
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 ASSE
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 CLOC
Campaign 01V153000 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
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 BRAN
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 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
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 PERFORMAN
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Campaign 06E024000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Dodge Durango — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (815 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (111 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (103 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V019000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V342000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V341000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V153000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E024000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Dodge Durango reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Dodge Durango is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge Durango?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 84% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Durango have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.