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.
Suspension, Dec 11, 2003
MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THEY COULD NOT BE FIXED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT $625.82 AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2003
THE BRAKES PULSATED WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. HOWEVER, THERE WASN'T ANY PROBLEM WITH BRAKING. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED *AK AFTER REPLACING 3 SETS OF ROTORS WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT DODGE AUTO PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *CB *JB
Suspension, Dec 5, 2003
AT 27K MILES MY DODGE DURANGO NEEDED BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED FOR BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. *JB
Suspension, Air bags, Nov 25, 2003, crash
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT STILL SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE. A POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. ALSO, NHTSA PE 03-032, FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE: WHILE VEHICLE WAS GETTING REPAIRED MECHANIC FOUND THAT UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE WEARING OUT AT AN ALARMING RATE. *AK
Electrical system, Nov 25, 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 OVER INTO A MALL PARKING LOT AND AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. *AK *NLM
Suspension, Nov 20, 2003
DURING INSPECTION, MECHANIC NOTICED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WOBBLED. DEALER STATED THE PASSENGER FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT WAS WORN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *PH
Wheels, Nov 14, 2003
THE REAR ALUMINUM RIM WAS LEAKING AIR FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE. DEALER STATED NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND THE RIM HAD ONE YEAR WARRANTY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2003, crash
ENGINE FAILURE, STALLING. *LA
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2003, fire
I HAD A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. I WAS DRIVING IT ONE DAY WITH MY 2 YOUNG SONS IN IT, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND NEARLY KILLED US ALL. IT BURNED DOWN TO NOTHING. YOU CAN VIEW PICTURES OF IT AT W.BETHELPARK.COM, GO TO THE VOL.FIRE DEPT PHOTO GALLERY & LOOK AT PICTURES FOR AUG. 4TH 2003. VEHICLE FIRE SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE SHOPPING MALL, THAT IS WHERE I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. DODGE & CHRYSLER DID ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING FOR ME. I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THIS, BECAUSE IF THERE IS A DEFECT, MY WARRANTY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO COVER BUMPER TO BUMPER FOR 3 YEARS 36,000 MILES AND I ONLY HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. THIS VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A SHORT OR A DEFECT, CAUSE EVERYTHING WAS FACTORY. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO IT, PLEASE VIEW THE PICTURES AT THE WEB SITE I TOLD YOU.WWW.BETHELPARK.COM. *AK
Suspension, Oct 28, 2003
2002 DODGE DURANGO: BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AT 18,000 MILES. DEALER INITIALLY REFUSED REPAIR CITING "NO PROBLEM FOUND". I HAD TO PROVE THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE BY JACKING THE VEHICLE AND DEMONSTRATING EXCESSIVE PLAY BY MOVING THE WHEEL THAT WAS OFF THE GROUND. ONLY THEN DID THE DEALER ADMIT THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THEM. YOU NEED TO KNOW THERE ARE MORE DURANGO OWNERS OUT HERE WITH DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. IN MY OPINION, THEY SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES+, NOT 18,000.*AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 24, 2003
THE ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW FOR AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE "CYCLE" TIME IS VERY LONG BETWEEN BRAKE APPLICATION ON A DRY ROAD. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES APPLIED. HAVE HAD TO STEER SHARPLY TO AVOID OTHER CARS, CAN NOT RELY ON THE BRAKES TO SOP EVERY TIME. *LA
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.
Power train, Sep 24, 2003
SINCE I PURHCASED MY 2002 DURANGO SLT IN MARCH OF 2002. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD TO BE REPAIRED TWICE ALONG WITH THE LUMBAR. OUR TRUCK BREAKS DOWN ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. WE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS IN SHAMBLES. IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE HAD TO PAY THE 853.80, BECAUSE DAIMLER CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PAY. THE TRUCK IS A YEAR 1/2 OLD THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND YET I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER 3 AND 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS A $30K TRUCK. IT'S DEFINATELY NOT WORTH IT. WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE TO BUY.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 21, 2003
2002 DODGE DURANGO. *JB
Power train, Equipment, Sep 17, 2003, crash
TWO MONTHS AGO, A NEW FRAME WAS INSTALLED ON MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO. ON SEPT. 14, 2003 MY DAUGHTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 26 COMING TO MY HOME. SHE SAID THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SHE HIT THE CONCRETE WALL AND ENDED UP IN THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE. THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE AXLE LOOKS LIKE IT BROKE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND YET WHICH HAS THE STUDS, HUB ETC. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 15, 2003, crash
BRAKE FAILURE ON A DODGE NEON 2O02- WHILE GOING UP HILL AT 40 MPH AND COMMING ONTO A RED LIGHT THE CARS BREAKS FAILED TO CATCH. MY HUSBAND FLOORED THE BREAKS AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO PUMP THEM. 5-10 FEET FROM IMPACT THE CARS BREAKS CAUGHT AND STILL WE IMPACTED INTO A TOYOTA AVALON
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
Power train, Sep 4, 2003, fire
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 WORK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. *JB
Suspension, Sep 2, 2003
2002 DODGE DURANGO PREMATURE BALL JOINT WEARING AND UPPER CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 28, 2003, crash
WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP ABS BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Service brakes, Air, Aug 19, 2003, crash
VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO STOP. AS RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER STATED THERE WAS A MARGINAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *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