VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,553 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.8 times the median Durango year — the 1998 model ranks #3 of 29 Durango years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 44 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: suspension issues account for 53% of all reports (820 of 1,553), far ahead of transmission at 111.

1,553

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

73

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

44

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension82053%
Transmission1117%
Brakes1047%
Steering1037%
Engine765%
Visibility & Wipers533%
Seats433%
Electrical System413%
Tires & Wheels322%
Airbags312%
Other302%
Seat Belts272%
Lighting191%
Fuel System161%
Speed Control141%
Body & Structure131%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)121%
Latches & Locks40%
Child Seat30%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 1998 Dodge Durango have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

01V153000AirbagsMay 8, 2001 · 216,100 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

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.

99V341000BrakesDecember 2, 1999 · 96,892 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT AN UNDERBODY CROSSMEMBER EVENTUALLY WEARING A HOLE IN THE TUBE.

Consequence

IF THE TUBE WERE PERFORATED, THERE WOULD BE A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FROM THE REAR WHEELS, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES.

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.

99V342000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 1999 · 150,729 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

98V019000Electrical SystemJanuary 30, 1998 · 37,900 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE GENERATOR CABLE AND BATTERY CABLE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

OWNER 1998 DODGE DURANGO, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS TWICE 1ST AT 50,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 90,000 MILES, THIS LAST TIME HAD FIRE ON R SIDE OF VEHICLE UNDER CAR. I HAVE A 1,600.00 BILL AT DEALED FOR REPAIRS MOST OF IT FOR BALL JOINTS. I NOTIFIED DAIMLERCHYSLER AFTER THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 13, 2004 · fire

ACCIDENT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DIDN'T WORK PROPER. LOSS OF OF CONTROL FROM STEERING PROBLEMS. STEERING PROBLEMS ON WET ROADS. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, DOESN'T SHIFT PROPER, NO AIR CONDITION, CAN NOT DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN IN BACK, VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 22, 2003 · crash

BRAKES FAILED AT 50MPH. SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF SEMI TRUCK AT 40MPH AND TOTALED VECHILE. THE SEATBELT RESTRANT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE. I SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL TO BREAK 2 RIBS AND CRACK MY STERNUM. IF THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE WENT OFF I WOULDNT BE HAVING BACK AND NECK PROBLEMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 4, 2005 · crash

ACCIDENT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DIDN'T WORK PROPER. LOSS OF OF CONTROL FROM STEERING PROBLEMS. STEERING PROBLEMS ON WET ROADS. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, DOESN'T SHIFT PROPER, NO AIR CONDITION, CAN NOT DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN IN BACK, VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 22, 2003 · crash

ACCIDENT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DIDN'T WORK PROPER. LOSS OF OF CONTROL FROM STEERING PROBLEMS. STEERING PROBLEMS ON WET ROADS. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, DOESN'T SHIFT PROPER, NO AIR CONDITION, CAN NOT DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN IN BACK, VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CAR IS PARKED BECAUSE I AM AFRAID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 22, 2003 · crash

1998 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Durango reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,553 complaints put the 1998 model at #3 of 29 Durango years. It is one of the Durango years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (820 complaints), transmission (111 complaints), brakes (104 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Dodge Durango under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Durango years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Durango years to avoid are 1999, 2005, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2014, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2002, 2018, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Durango years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.