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, Oct 28, 2003
WE OPERATE A FLEET OF NINE 2002 DODGE DURANGO SUVS. THESE VEHICLES ARE USED AS PARAMEDIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES. BASED ON INFORMATION WE'VE SEEN IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA, WE'VE BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION, SPECIFICALLY THE BALL JOINTS. EIGHT OF THE NINE VEHICLES CURRENTLY HAVE LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, BUT WE HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS ON ONE OF THE NINE (AT JUST UNDER 50,000 MILES). THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WAS "CLOSE TO FAILURE."*AK
Suspension, Oct 28, 2003
BALL JOINTS WERE FOUND TO BE FAILING AND THE ENTIRE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 44,700 MILES. *AK
Suspension, Oct 6, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE DURANGO IN JUNE 2002. MY DURANGO STARTED SQUEAKING AND POPPING AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES. I HAVE COMPLAINED OF SQUEAKING AND POPPING IN THE FRONT-END. EVERY TIME IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING WRONG AND SAID THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE SQUEAKING NOISE, BUT AS SOON AS I DROVE OFF THE LOT THERE IT WAS AS SURE AS IT WAS WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. I WOULD TELL THEM THAT THEY NEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO HEAR IT SQUEAK. MY DURANGO GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THE FRONT-END FELT LIKE I HAD EVERY LITTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION IT FELT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WOULD ALSO SQUEAK WITHOUT EVEN DRIVING IT. ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD SQUEAK. ON OCTOBER 2, 2003 I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL TO UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AT THAT TIME THEY DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Suspension, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2003
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT DO NOT FUNTION PROPERLY. TURN SIGNALS,LIGHTS,CRUISE. GAUGES,WINDOWS,RADIO,AIRBAG ETC.. ALL HAVE MALFUNTIONED SINCE THE CAR WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE VEHICLE BUT DODDGE/CHRYSLER IS UN WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE .THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. I HAVE NUMEROUS WITNESSES AND HAVE STARTED VIDEO RECORDING THE PROBLEMS.
Suspension, Power train, Sep 12, 2003
PURCHASED DURANGO NEW JAN 2002 IN KENTUCKY. WITHIN 6 MONTHS DODGE RECALLED IT TO REPLACE WHOLE BACK AXLE ASSEMBLY (DODGE STATED IT WAS TOO SMALL FOR DURANGO). SINCE OWNING, WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES, AND THE VEHICLE BARELY MOVES (DEALER STATED COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM). IN ALASKA THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN GOING FROM WARM GARAGE INTO COLD OUTDOORS, STAYS ON FOR A WEEK (DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG). LOUD POUNDING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 40 MPH WITH BACK WINDOWS DOWN. DURANGO HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND BACK SEAT SHOWS CONSIDERABLE WEAR WHERE SEAT BELT LATCH CONTACTS SEAT (POOR DESIGN/PLACEMENT OF LATCH). *PH
Suspension, Sep 2, 2003
2002 DODGE DURANGO PREMATURE BALL JOINT WEARING AND UPPER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Air, Aug 15, 2003
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON MY 2002 DODGE DURRANGO HAVE PUT ME INTO THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION DURRING A RED LIGHT ,AT STOPS ON DIRT ROADS THE REAR WHEELS LOCK LIKE THE FRONT BRAKES AREN'T WORKING AND IT LOOKS LIKE A CRACKED WELD ON THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET ON THE LEFT FRONT. DODGE SAY'S NOTHING IS WRONG AND THEY WON'T FIX IT ,I HAVE A PREGNANT WIFE AND 4 KIDS WHO RIDE IN THIS SUV AND I CAN'T GET DODGE TO FIX IT, OH AND THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE ON IT TO ,ROAD WALKS.*AK
Suspension, Aug 6, 2003
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALER STATED WE DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALL, AND CAR WAS FINE. *AK
Suspension, Aug 4, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING BALL JOINTS ARE WEARING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Suspension, Jul 28, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Suspension, Jul 25, 2003
WHEN MAKING A TURN THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION.*AK
Suspension, Jul 24, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN SHE DRIVES TRUCK IT FEELS FUNNY, IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING ALSO FEELS FUNNY. IT DID NOT FEEL LIKE THAT WHEN SHE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS TAKEN TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MECHANIC KEPT TELLING HER THAT THAT FEELING WAS NORMAL, BUT SHE KNEW DIFFERENTLY, AND DID NOT THINK SO.*AK
Suspension, Jul 23, 2003
HAD TO HAVE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS/CONTROL ARMS & LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO SXT 4X4 UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO FAILING PA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD 27K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE VEH NOW HAS 40K ON IT & I'M EXPERIENCING A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRT END AGAIN. A PRIVATE SHOP STATED THAT THE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE EXCESIVE MOVEMENT & MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEH BACK TO THE DEALER & THEYE STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THEM UNDER WARRANTY AGAIN DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THIS VEH IS ONLY 17 MONTHS OLD WITH 40,000 ALL HWY MILEAGE & WAS NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION & A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IF THE BALL JOINT DOES SEPARATE. *AK
Suspension, Jul 22, 2003
WHILE DRIVING FRONT END SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Suspension, Jul 22, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS, RIGHT HUBS AND BEARINGS. EA03-023
Suspension, Structure, Equipment, Jul 10, 2003
MAIN SUPPORT BRACKET ON FRONT FRAME OF VEHICLE WAS ONLY PARTLY WELDED FROM FACTORY. THIS HELD THE SUPPORT SUSPENSION ON VEHICLE. BEFORE IT BROKE I DID REPORT POSSIBLE FRONT END PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN OUT OF TOWN ON MAY 7 03. IT IS STILL BROKE. THEY SAID IT NEED A BRAND NEW FRAME FROM FACTORY. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 31000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ONLY PUT 2500 MILES ON VEHICLE SINCE I HAD IT. 2002 DURANGO. I FEEL THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES OUT THERE LIKE THIS.*AK
Suspension, Apr 15, 2003
DODGE, DURANGO, 2002 MANUFACTURER'S RECALL A08. DEALER CHANGED THE ENTIRE REAR END SUSPENSION. WHICH WAS MISSING FROM THE NHTSA DATA BASE. *AK *JB
Suspension, Apr 16, 2002
WHEN ROLLING DOWN WINDOW VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE.*AK