2002 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 434 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 38 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 40 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, hubOct 20, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 08E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 4, 2007
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.
EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 07V555000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemSep 7, 2006
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.
THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 06V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006
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.
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Campaign 06E024000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, upper ball jointDec 21, 2004
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.
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
Campaign 04V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerMay 5, 2004
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.
DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 04V216000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: suspension
143 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Mar 3, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK
Suspension, Mar 1, 2005
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK
Suspension, Feb 22, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, AND TO DATE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SINCE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Suspension, Feb 7, 2005
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE WERE NO AVAILABLE PARTS FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK
Suspension, Feb 2, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS. WHEN CONTACTING DEALER CONSUMER WAS EXPLAINED THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECEIVE PARTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 6-8 WEEKS. *AK
Suspension, Jan 28, 2005
I MANAGE THE FLEET FOR THE FBI JACKSONVILLE DIVISION AND WHILE SERVICING ONE OF OUR VEHICLES, AN 02 2-WD DURANGO, NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHEN I LOWERED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE GROUND FROM OUR FRAME LIFT AND INSPECTION OF THE SUSPENSION REVEALED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THEY HAD ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF PLAY AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 30,000 MI. ON IT. THE BOOTS WERE NOT TORN NOR HAS THIS VEHICLE BEEN USED UNDER SEVERE CONDITIONS. WE ONLY HAVE ONE OTHER 02 DURANGO AND IT IS A 4WD BUT AT 22,000 MI. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE SHOWING SOME WEAR/PLAY. AFTER HAVING TO ACTUALLY JACK THE VEHICLE UP IN THE DEALER SERVICE LANE AND SHOW THEM THE PLAY THEY REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS UNDER WARRANTY ON THE 2WD AND I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE 4WD ONE IN YET. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT, EITHER THE JOINTS DIDN'T GET ANY LUBE WHEN MANUFACTURED OR THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE MATERIALS TO CAUSE THEM TO WEAR SO QUICKLY. I DIDN'T GET THE OLD PARTS SO I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALL ON THESE, I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE ON THE LATER MODELS FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHEN I TAKE THE NEXT ONE IN I WILL SEE IF THEY WILL LET ME HAVE THE ORIGINAL CONTROL ARMS BUT I'M DOUBTFUL THEY WILL. I CONSIDER OURSELVES LUCKY TO HAVE CAUGHT THIS BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Suspension, Jan 26, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER DENNIS DZEK. *AK
Suspension, Jan 18, 2005
04V596000/BALL JOINT WEAR. OWNER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN DECEMBER 2004. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE NEXT AVAILABLE OPENING FOR THE DEFECT REPAIR WILL BE IN MAY,2005. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Suspension, Jan 13, 2005
WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM
Suspension, Jan 7, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. AFTER HAVING THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SWERVED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DTERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. *AK
Suspension, Jan 6, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WOULD BE MARCH 31, 2004. *AK
Suspension, Jan 4, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER BOB. *AK
Suspension, Dec 29, 2004
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND EXPERIENCED SHAKING FROM THE UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE RESPONSE HE RECEIVED FROM NHTSA. THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THEY WERE DANGEROUSLY WORN OUT. *TC
Suspension, Tires, Dec 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS NOTICEABLY WARNED. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INSTRUCTED THE OWNER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WOULD NOT RENDER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Suspension, Dec 21, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM
Suspension, Dec 13, 2004
THE UPPER BALL JOINT IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONTROL ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. CONSUMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME.*AK
Suspension, Dec 11, 2004
BOTH BALL JOINTS ON MY 2002 DURANGO VIN [XXX] MILES 47000 [APPROX]. *JB SEPTEMBER 04 MARIETTA DODGE SCOOT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY SHOULD NOT BE BAD ON A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH AVERAGE MILES. BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT IS EXTRMELY CLEAR IT SHOULD BE. UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension, Dec 10, 2004
WHILE STEERING TO THE RIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Suspension, Dec 10, 2004
THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BALL JOINT WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SHAKE AND MAINTAIN CONTROL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH.*AK
Suspension, Oct 27, 2004
ON OCTOBER 22ND 2004 I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, AN OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION ETC. IT HAD BEEN RIDING ROUGHER THAN NORMAL AND I HAD NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY SO I ASKED THEM TO LOOK IT OVER AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CONTROL ARM. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38316 MILES AND HAD TO PUT NEARLY $1000 FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN OUT THAT QUICKLY. HAD I NOT GONE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT THAT TIME SOMETHING FAR MORE SERIOUS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I NOW NEED TO REPLACE MY TIRES.*AK
Suspension, Oct 20, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THAT IN JANUARY 2004 SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THEN, AGAIN WHILE TAKING A LONG DRIVE, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME KIND OF NOISE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BUT THE NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK A THIRD TIME. DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE THREE WEEKS, REBUILDING THE FRONT END. THIS WAS IN MAY 2004. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME KIND OF NOISE. BUT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THEY COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
Suspension, Oct 11, 2004
THE FRONT END HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOOSE AND RATTLED. A PART OF THE STEERING CONTROL ARM HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE SUDDEN PULLING IN EITHER DIRECTION - TOWARD THE RIGHT WHEN CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT OR EXITING THE FREEWAY, AND THE SAME THING WHEN MOVING TO THE LEFT, WHEN THE LEFT FRONT CROSSES THE PROTION OF THE ROAD WERE THE LANES JOIN. THE LEFT FRONT RATTLES BAD ENOUGH TO FEEL IN THE STEERING AND FLOOR BOARD, AS WELL AS BEING EXTREAMLY AUDIBLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM
Suspension, Sep 21, 2004
UPPER BALL JOINTS ARE POPPING AND CRACKING WITH EVERY TURN OF MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO. IF THEY FAIL, IT COULD MEAN THE LIFE OF ME, MY HUSBAND AND OUR 4 CHILDREN. DODGE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RECALL THIS AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DURANGO. *AK
Suspension, Sep 14, 2004
NOISE AND KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END WHILE DRIVING, COULD ALSO FEEL THE KNOCKING THRU STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT ALL BALL JOINTS WERE WORN AND WOULD PROBABLY FAIL SOON, POSSIBLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY (ONLY 28,000 MILES ON VEHICLE), BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN 30,000 MILES. CONTACTED DODGE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND "THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM TO SUPPORT A RECALL AT THIS TIME", BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET.
Suspension, Sep 2, 2004
I'D LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE LIST OF DURANGO'S THAT HAVE HAD THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACED. MY DURANGO IS A 2002 WITH 38,000 MI. VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT MY DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOT ONCE DID THEY INSPECT IT. NOW I AM 2,000 MI OVER THE WARRANTY AND NO OFFERS FROM DODGE OR THE DEALER TO FIX IT SO I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX IT FOR ME.*AK