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
434 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 31, 2005
WHILE DRIVING ON 5/27/05 BOTH FRONT BRAKECALIPERS LOCKED, FORTUNATELY ONLY TRAVELING A FEW MILES..BRAKES SMOLDERING...WARPED ROTAORS AND CRYSTALIZED BOTH FRONT BRAKES' PADS...FOR CORRECTION NEW MASTER CLYINDER,FRON ROTORS,CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS
Electrical system, May 31, 2005
THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND OTHER ELECTRIC ACCESSORIES STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING. DISCONNECTING BATTERY FIXES THESE PROBLEMS TEMPORARILY, BUT IGNITION CHIME GOES OFF CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING UNTIL ALL OF THE ABOVE ACCESSORIES STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER. VEHICLE IS PAST BASIC WARRANTY, SO DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE MODULE.
Service brakes, Air, May 10, 2005
THE VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER 35K MILES ON IT. IT FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE RIGHT INBOARD BRAKE PAD WAS LOOSE. IT WAS LOOSE BECAUSE THE ANTI-RATTLE CLIP HAD ROTTED AWAY INSIDE THE CALIPER PISTON. THE LEFT SIDE WAS INTACT BUT NEARLY RUSTED AWAY. THERE WAS OVER 50% OF THE FRICTION MATERIAL LEFT ON PADS.
Air bags, May 6, 2005, crash
MY AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, AND WITH THE IMPACT IT SELF NOTHING HAPPENED I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT IF IT'S GOT TO BE TO WHERE I'M ALMOST INJURED CRITICALLY FOR IT TO DEPOLY FOR THE PROTECTION OF MY HEAD WHICH DID HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 5, 2005
DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES THEY MADE A CLUNKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE OCCURRED REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. *NM
Suspension, Mar 31, 2005
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04596000 CONCERNING UPPER BALL JOINT WEAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. A FEW HOURS LATER DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY, AND THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. DRIVER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED, AND TO COME BACK ANOTHER DAY. *AK
Suspension, Mar 30, 2005
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 FOR UPPER BALL JOINTS. WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE DEALER HAD NO PARTS. CURRENTLY, DEALER STILL HAS NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED BALL JOINTS THE NEXT DAY. *BF *NM
Suspension, Mar 28, 2005
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF.*AK CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON 2 DURANGOS AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM REPAIRED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. CHRYSLER HAS NO TIME FRAME WHEN THEY WILL BE SHIPPED. *BF *NM
Suspension, Mar 18, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO 2 WHEEL DRIVE THAT HAS 45000 MILES ,THE FRONT END MAKES LOUD SQUEKING NOISE,NO MATTER WHERE OR WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH IT, JUST GETTING IN IT DOES THIS. DODGE CHECKED BALLJOINTS AND SAID THEY ARE FINE,NOT TO WORRY???I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED 5 TIMES 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND IT STILL IS WEARING OUT TIRES AND PULLING TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, AGAIN DODGE SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM.I GUESS WHEN I,DIE BEHIND THE WHEEL THEN THEY WONT HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!! ALL I WANT IS FOR THEM TO FIX THIS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED THEY DONT HAVE TO ADMIT TO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP ME.*AK
Suspension, Mar 15, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V59600; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED AN UPPER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE PARTS IN ORDER TO REPAIR, WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE WHEELS COULD FALL OFF. *JB *NM
Suspension, Mar 11, 2005
RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V596000 CONCERNING BALL JOINT WEAR. CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT FOR MARCH 4, 2005 FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. ON MARCH 3, 2005. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELED DUE TO NO PARTS, AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2005
INTERMITTENTLY THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WOULD CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO COME ON OR GO OUT BY IT SELF (HEADLIGHT POWER DOOR LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, ETC) OR CAUSE THE SUV TRUCK TO STALL COMPLETELY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Suspension, Mar 4, 2005
THE UPPER BALLS JOINTS WERE REPAIRED PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL, AND THE MANUFACTURER PART OF THE PAYMENT. CONSUMER RECENTLY WENT THROUGH INSPECTION,AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. NO RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.*AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 2, 2005
JUST DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND CHECK GAUGES COME ON AND I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS.*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
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2005
RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED FOR 2002 DODGE DURANGO, PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2005
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK OUR 2002 DODGE DURANGO TO OUR 5 STAR DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD WE HAD SLUDGE IN OUR ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE HAD 24,289 MILES AT THIS TIME. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER SAID THE SLUDGE WAS DO TO OWNER NEGLECT SINCE I COULDN'T PRODUCE EIGHT OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. THE OIL WAS CHANGED ABOUT EVERY 6,000 MILES. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY OR THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *JB
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