1998 Dodge Durango

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Dodge Durango
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Durango Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1997: 4 complaints 1997 1998: 965 complaints 1998 1999: 1967 complaints 2000: 1075 complaints 2001: 665 complaints 2001 2002: 423 complaints 2003: 338 complaints 2004: 1114 complaints 2005: 1567 complaints 2005 2006: 851 complaints 2007: 191 complaints 2008: 97 complaints 2009: 12 complaints 2009 2011: 797 complaints 2012: 637 complaints 2013: 640 complaints 2014: 781 complaints 2014 2015: 502 complaints 2016: 159 complaints 2017: 210 complaints 2018: 227 complaints 2018 2019: 139 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2021: 183 complaints 2022: 53 complaints 2022 2023: 26 complaints 2024: 8 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1998: 965 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19974
1998965
19991967
20001075
2001665
2002423
2003338
20041114
20051567
2006851
2007191
200897
200912
2011797
2012637
2013640
2014781
2015502
2016159
2017210
2018227
2019139
202053
2021183
202253
202326
20248
20257
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 38%

38% of complaints: suspension — 368 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SUSPENSION 30%

30% of complaints: suspension — 293 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
STEERING 4%

4% of complaints: steering — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

1998 — complaint volume: 965
R 19980302 — electrical system

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

R 20000202 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R 20000221 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20010618 — air bags

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

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

I 20030716 — PE (closed 20031119)

FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE

I 20031119 — EA (closed 20050211)

UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

R 20060420 — engine and engine cooling

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 (368 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (293 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (41 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

▲ 2022 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2005 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

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:front:control arm:upper ball joint, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Durango have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.