1998 Dodge Durango problems
NHTSA has received 1,553 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Durango, and 53% of them involve suspension. After that come brakes (7%) and steering (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,553 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 53% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 73 and 15
- Injuries and deaths
- 44 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 69,000 miles 758 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 27 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 60 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 182 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 226 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 130 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 52 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 41 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 27 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 8 |
What the data shows
Among the 758 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 69,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 68,000 miles (485 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 73 complaints mention a crash; 15 complaints mention a fire; 44 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 25 model years of the Dodge Durango with enough data (870 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I was in a head on collision, hit at 55 miles per hour. My airbags did not deploy! I sustained permanent injuries, including a knee surgery from hitting the dash. Recently, and article hit the press about daimler/chrysler minivans 1996-2000, airbags not deploying causing injuries. What do I have to do, to get someone to listen to me? I have filed 3 complaints, and left messages and have yet to see a complaint filed or a phone call returned. If I had died, then, maybe someone would pay attention to a problem.
Airbags did not deploy when head on accident occurred, consumer sustained permanent injuries, consumer stated 2 other people were also injured.
Consumer was involved in a frontal collison, and was hit at 55MPH, consumer suffered injuries due to the air bags not deploying, 2 other people were also injured in the accident.
Pe 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure. The upper ball joints, and the tie rods have been replaced. Vehicle barely has 74000 miles.
I have a 98 dodge durango that has to have the entire front end linkages replaced. All ball joints, tierods, linkages etc. Entire front was loose. Saw newsreport of this problem and took truck in for free inspection. Now, $2000 later I have my truck back. Dodge claims no responsibility. Its just news and no recall is done. This is unacceptable and this appears to be a national problem and this defect should be recalled and reimbursed for expenses.