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, 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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 9, 2003
NEEDED TO DO A HARD STOP. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEEMED SLOW TO ENGAGE, DIS-ENGAGE, AND RE-ENGAGE DURING WHICH THE CAR WOULD ROLL. BASICALLY, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE, THEN DISENGAGE, AND BEFORE THEY WOULD RE-ENGAGE, THE CAR ROLLED. IT WAS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, AND A NOTICEABLE ROLL BEFORE THE ABS RE-ENGAGED. IT SEEMED LIKE IT TOOK A SECOND. SINCE THE CAR ROLLED AND WOULDN'T STOP, WE NEEDED TO SWERVE TO MISS TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER, AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. EVEN TEST DROVE IT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, POINTED OUT THE ROLL, BUT HE ONLY GAVE ME EXCUSES. I GUESS IF THE ABS LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON, THEY DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS WRONG. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2003
THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE WHEN BRAKING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *NLM
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE DURANGO SLT IN MAY OF 2002. WHEN I PURCHASED IT I ASKED IF IT HAS A RECYCLE AIR OPTION AND WAS TOLD IT DID, AND WAS SHOWED WHAT IT WAS. IT WORKED FINE IN HOT OR WARM WEATHER, BUT DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT IS VERY COLD. THAT FEATURE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, AND FEEL THAT THEY ARE MISLEADING CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY SAY IT HAS RECYCLE AIR, BUT DON'T THEN TELL YOU THAT IT DOESN'T WORK WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I'M STUCK BUYING THIS CAR FOR 6 MORE YEARS. I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HAD I KNOWN THE RECYCLE AIR DID NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A HONDA AND A MITSUBISHI THAT WORKED JUST FINE IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT, "IT DOES NOT WORK WHEN IT IS COLD!"
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2003
THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *JB THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY ON THE PARKWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVE. SCC
Power train, Feb 13, 2003
MY VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND I HAD STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO GET THE MAIL. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED DRIVING FORWARD AND ACCELERATING ALL BY ITSELF. IT ENDED UP RUNNING INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOME.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2003
THIS IS A COMPLAINT IN GENERAL ABOUT THE BLINDING HEADLIGHTS BEING PUT ON VEHICLES NOW DAYS. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE TO REGULATE THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS PLACED IN CARS. ALSO, DRIVERS WHO DRIVE WITH THEIR DRIVING LIGHTS ON WHEN NOT NEEDED REALLY CAUSE PROBLEMS. CAN'T IT BE REGULATED THAT DRIVING LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHEN APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HEADLIGHTS NOWDAYS ARE JUST TOO BRIGHT. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO BEING BLINDED BY THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS.
Power train, Dec 20, 2002
THIS NOTE IS TO ACCOMPANY THE MOTOR VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION FOR MY 2002 DURANGO, VIN 1B8HR48N42F188761. THIS IS THE SECOND DEFECTIVE DURANGO I HAVE PURCHASED IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS AND IT PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FIRST DURANGO WAS ONLY GOOD FOR FOUR DAYS AND LESS THAN 400 MILES. WE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT TO INCLUDE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, ENGINE VIBRATIONS, AND POOR HANDLING PROBLEMS. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT MULTIPLE COMPUTERS WERE BAD AND IT WOULD TAKE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AS A SOLUTION, THE DEALER PROVIDED US ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT DURANGO IS ONLY FIVE MONTHS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP EVERY WEEKEND FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, IT DROPS TO FIRST GEAR COMING TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP, LAUNCHING THE OCCUPANTS FORWARD DUE TO THE SUDDEN SPEED REDUCTION. THIS IN ITSELF IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE OCCUPANTS COULD GET HURT, NOT TO MENTION LOSS OF CONTROL BY THE DRIVER, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR THE VEHICLE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IN ADDITION TO COMING TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOCKS THE TRANSMISSION ON FIRST GEAR (IF IT MOVES AT ALL SINCE THE SECOND TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED, IT WOULD ONLY GO IN REVERSE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER). PROBLEMS CONTINUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION MODULE BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT YET!!!!! TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2002
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY. BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ONLY "BARELY" SLOW DOWN. ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AND CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO EFFECTIVELY SLOW IT DOWN. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 4, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE WILL PULSATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2002
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2002
WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY, BUT NOT IN A PANIC. THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WILL SOMETIMES BRAKE AND RELEASE. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NO WHERE NEAR LOCKUP. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ME TO COME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SLIGHTLY FASTER STOP THAN NORMAL, BUT NO WHERE CLOSE TO CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WOULD PREFER NO ABS SYSTEM IF THIS SYSTEM ON THE DURANGO IS NORMAL. NO ACCIDENTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, BUT TWO CLOSE CALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR NORMAL ABS BRAKES. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. DT
Power train, Nov 13, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SHIFT INDICATOR WILL READ THE WRONG READING CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
Air bags, Oct 23, 2002, crash
CONSUMER STATES OF BEEN IN A COLLISION ON SUNDAY AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR
Steering, Sep 23, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT TIE ROD END SEPARATED FROM THE STEEING KNUCLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE NUT SECURING THE TIE ROD END WAS MISSING.*JB
Power train, Aug 9, 2002
HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN 3 TIMES, AND IT HAS BEEN TRANSMISSION FAILURES, HAVE HAD VEHICLE FOR 6 MONTHS, AND THE TRANSISSION COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE TRUCK CONTINUES T HAVE DEFECTS.*AK
Visibility, Aug 7, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED. PASSENGER WAS CUT BY GLASS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 7, 2002
LEMON LAW VEHICLE, BEEN FIGHTING WITH COMPANIES FOR THREE MONTHS TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND OUT OF THIS TRUCK!!NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility, Aug 6, 2002
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ON HIGHWAY PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. PASSENGER WAS CUT BY GLASS.*AK
Power train, Jul 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON . VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. CONTACTED DEALER. AS A RESULT OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE.*JB
Power train, Jul 24, 2002
VEHICLE SLIPS INTO GEAR WITHOUT KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 21, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2002, crash, fire
WHILE TOWING A TRAILER DOWNHILL AT 55 MPH WITH CRUISECONTROL SET, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CONSUMER HIT CANCEL CRUISE BUTTON 3 TIMES, BUT VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED, RPMS WENT TO 4500. CONSUMER THEN APPLIED BRAKES, BUT THAT DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. TRAILER BEGAN TO FISHTAIL, VEHICLE FLIPPED, RPMS WERE STILL OVER 4000. CONSUMER SHUT OFF ENGINE, VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. NO INJURIES, VEHICLE AND TRAILER WERE TOTALLED. *AK
Visibility, Jul 5, 2002
CONSUMER TURNED ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY DID NOT REPOND. ALSO EVERYTHING CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. HE HAD TO TURN TRUCK OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN TO GET WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK.*AK