VehicleVerdict

2002 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 556 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Durango year — the 2002 model ranks #13 of 29 Durango years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 48 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 164 reports (30% of the total).

556

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

44

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

48

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension16429%
Transmission7313%
Brakes6912%
Electrical System5610%
Engine5610%
Steering316%
Airbags173%
Visibility & Wipers163%
Other143%
Tires & Wheels122%
Lighting112%
Body & Structure102%
Seat Belts71%
Seats61%
Speed Control51%
Latches & Locks51%
Fuel System20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2002 Dodge Durango have recalls?

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

08E064000SuspensionOctober 20, 2008 · 2,805 units

Defect

SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.

Consequence

IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

07V555000TransmissionDecember 4, 2007 · 576,418 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Consequence

EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

06V339000Electrical SystemSeptember 7, 2006 · 35,103 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.

Consequence

THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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.

04V596000SuspensionDecember 21, 2004 · 592,707 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Consequence

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V216000Visibility & WipersMay 5, 2004 · 320,188 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

Consequence

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SNAPPED OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS FORCED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. *SC *JB EA03-023

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 26, 2003 · crash

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND SOON DISCOVERED THERE WAS FIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AN INVESTOR DID INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND RULED THE FIRE WAS UNSUSTAINABLE AND THEY WOULD FIX EVERYTHING. *PH. ACCORDING TO THE PAPER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 26, 2002 · fire

RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER COMPLAINING OF POOR ANTILOCK BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL. DEALER RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS/REPLACED PADS. VIBRATION FROM RUN OUT IS GONE BUT POOR ANTILOCK PERFORMANCE AND EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL STILL EXITS. DEALER STATES ALL IS FINE. EXCESSIVE STOPPING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 12, 2004 · crash

OWNER PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 7/3/03 WITH 1300 MILES ON ODOMETER. OWNER HAD PROBLEMS WITH NOISES UNDER THE HOOD AND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF PARK INTO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON 11/1/03 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2003 · fire

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE SMELLED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER BUT DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WAS HER VEHICLE. AS SOON AS SHE PUT THE TURN SIGNAL ON, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK. WHEN THE TURN WAS COMPLETE SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 4, 2003 · fire

2002 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 2002 Dodge Durango reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 556 complaints put the 2002 model at #13 of 29 Durango years. It is one of the Durango years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (164 complaints), transmission (73 complaints), brakes (69 complaints).

Does the 2002 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Dodge Durango under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 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.