1998 Dodge Durango Powertrain (other) Problems

DUE TO TO UNEVEN DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED, OR TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPIN AND NOT MOVE, AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IGNITION WAS SHUT-OFF. IT WAS ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ABOUT 50 FEET TO A PARKING PLACE. ANOTHER PERSON OFFERS TO HELP, THEN PUSHES VEHICLE 25/50 FEET...ADVISES TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE HAS USED A LOT OF POWER STEERING FLUID ALMOST DAILY(HAS A HISTORY OF SQUEALING AND HARD TURNING AT START UNLESS LUBRICATED). SO ADVICE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN REVERSE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE EVEN HARDER TO TURN, IF AT ALL. I REQUESTED HELP FROM THE BYSTANDER, WHO AT WHICH POINT COMES TO THE DRIVER SIDE WHERE I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALSO. IT'S UNKNOWN IF THE BYSTANDER HELP TURNED THE IGNITION ON, OR IF THE IGNITION SOMEHOW TURNED ON BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED BY ONE ADDITION PASSENGER AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN REVERSE GEAR, WITHOUT ANYONE PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THERE WERE MINOR TO SEVERE INJURIES, AND DAMAGE TO 2 VEHICLES AND ONE STRUCTURE.

NHTSA ID

11388250

Incident

Jan 12, 2021

Mileage

240,000 mi

BOUGHT MY DURANGO NEW IN MAY 1998. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING IMPROPERLY IN JULY 2000. TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY (31,418 MILES). THEY DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND PRONOUNCED IT DOA (PAN WAS FULL OF METAL SHAVINGS). SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE WRITING ON THE WALL BUT I LOVED THIS VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO AN INSPECTION STATION FOR SAFETY & EMISSIONS TESTS IN MAY OF 2006. IT FAILED FOR BAD BALL JOINTS. I ASKED THE MANAGER WHY HIS MECHANICS SEEMED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FRONT END DURING INSPECTION AND HIS REPLY WAS IT WAS VERY COMMON TO FIND BAD BALL JOINTS ON APPROX. 50% OF ALL 1998-2000 DURANGOS. HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS, BOTH SIDES, AT 74,064 MILES, TO THE TUNE OF $701 PLUS TAX. I THEN STARTED HEARING ABOUT OTHER DURANGO OWNERS WITH SIMILAR BALL JOINT WOES. I WENT ONLINE AND STARTED RESEARCHING. FOUND A SITE WHERE FOLKS LIKE MYSELF WITH THE SAME BALL JOINT PROBLEMS, SOME WITH ACCIDENTS, WERE TRYING TO GET NHTSA TO DO SOMETHING. I GUESS PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE TO DIE FIRST BEFORE NHTSA WILL STEP IN AND TELL AN AUTO MANUFACTURER THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PRODUCTS. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE 1998-2000 DURANGOS WERE BUILT ON THE DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP CHASSIS. A DAKOTA WEIGHS ABOUT 4,600 LBS. WHILE A DURANGO 4X4 WEIGHS IN AT 6,400 LBS. IT'S NO WONDER THE 1998-2000 DURANGO FRONT-ENDS WERE FALLING APART. SERIOUSLY, WHAT KIND OF IDIOT ENGINEERS DOES DODGE HAVE WORKING FOR THEM. SOMETIME LATER I HEARD THAT DODGE RUSHED THE DURANGO INTO PRODUCTION IN 1998 TO COMPETE FOR THE SUV MARKET BUCKS AND DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO ENGINEER A NEW CHASSIS SO THEY JUST MODIFIED THE DAKOTA CHASSIS WITHOUT BEEFING IT UP. WHEN PEOPLE STARTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BALL JOINTS AND SUCH, THEY BUILT A WHOLE NEW CHASSIS FOR DURANGOS IN 2001. I STUMBLED ACROSS THIS SITE TODAY WHILE RESEARCHING ANOTHER VEHICLE I'M THINKING ABOUT BUYING.

NHTSA ID

10886041

Incident

May 15, 2006

Mileage

74,064 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND BEYOND 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10558139

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

HAD REAR REBUILT IN 2003 BY DEALER.BACK IN 12/15/05 REAR WENT AGAIN.TALKED TO MECHANIC HE SAID DODGE KNOWS ABOUT REARS BEING BAD.DUE TO TIGHT TOLERANCES IN GEARS.

NHTSA ID

10149072

Incident

Dec 15, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH LEFT TURN STEERING PROBLEMS. SHOP GREASED THE CV JOINTS BUT NOW IS TELLING ME BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN THAT IS THE SAME AS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH 2000-2003 I HAVE TO SPEND $1,150 ON NEW UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10102750

Incident

Oct 14, 2004

Mileage

98,743 mi

DODGE DEALER REPORTED THAT BALL JOINTS ON 1998 DODGE DURANGO HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE QUOTE TO REPLACE EXCEEDED $2000 AND I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THE RECALL WAS PENDING. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 76,898. VIN IS [XXX]. I SEE THAT THE RECALL IS FOR 2000 THROUGH 2003 AND THAT WARRANTY ON 2000 THRU 2003 MODELS WAS EXTENDED TO 100,000 MILES FOR BALL JOINTS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE? ISN'T THIS THE SAME SUSPENSION DESIGN AS THE 2000 MODEL? I ALSO REPLACED THE REAR AXLE IN 2003 FOLLOWING A TOTAL FAILURE RESULTING IN REAR LOCKING UP AND SHEARING THE U-JOINT AND DROPPING THE DRIVE SHAFT WHILE DRIVING. REPLACEMENT COST EXCEEDED $3000 AND I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DURANGO'S AS WELL. *JB UPDATED 07/24/2012* JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10102679

Incident

Jun 1, 2004

Mileage

68,000 mi

I OWN A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND DRIVE SHAFT, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY FAILED. THE SUV HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR; ALL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS COMPUTER/SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW 15 MONTHS LATER, THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I WANTED TO KNOW IF OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE ONLY PEOPLE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO HAVE BEEN THE LOW LEVEL EMPLOYEE. THEY WILL NOT, AND PROBABLY HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO, FORWARD THE CALL TO SOMEONE IN UPPER MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE COMMON.THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10079219

Incident

May 1, 2003

Mileage

60,000 mi

1. SEATBELTS, HOUSING REPEATEDLY FELL DOWN. NEVER REPLACED, SERVICE ONLY PULLED IT BACK UP AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES 2. ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL. NOW I HAVE ONE WINDOW THAT WILL GO DOWN. THE REST ARE STUCK IN THE UP POSIITON. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY IS UP. 3. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AT 63,000. 3,000 PAST WARRANTY. 4. ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS ARE BAD. SERVICEMAN SAYS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL REPLACED. STILL WAITING ON A RECALL. 5. PASSENGER FRONT SEAT COVER CAME APART AT SEAMS. SERVICE SAID NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. 6. HOOD LATCH DOES NOT RELEASE HOOD. MY VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED AND NOT BEING DRIVEN AT 80,000. I DO NOT HAVE AND WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT IN MY DRIVE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. IT SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART AROUND ME. SEEMS I HAVE HEARD STORIES ABOUT THE BALL JOINTS, WHEELS COMING OFF, ETC. NO ONE KILLED YET, BUT NO RECALL YET EITHER I SEE. *LA

NHTSA ID

10074504

Incident

Apr 15, 1999

MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BROKE AND NEARLY FELL OFF. THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED IT SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, PROBABLY A DEFECT. IT IS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO.*AK

NHTSA ID

10060352

Incident

Nov 12, 2003

FRONT BRAKES (REPLACED 3X'S IN ONE YEAR) KEEP FAILING ON DODGE DURANGO CAUSING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND ALIGNMENT TO SHIFT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES 4 TIMES AND THE REAR TIRES TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE JANUARY 2,2000. ALL TIRES WEAR AT AN ANGLE WITH SEVERAL BALD SPOTS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. I ALSO REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR FEBRUARY 2003. NOW THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT WORKING. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY 300.00 OUT OF POCKET FOR WHATEVER REASON.

NHTSA ID

10070543

Incident

Jun 15, 2000

Mileage

40,000 mi

DEALER REPLACED RIGHT AXLE SHAFT WHICH INCLUDED LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT WARRANTY, AS RESULT COST $650.00.*AK *PH

NHTSA ID

10030045

Incident

Jul 24, 2003

DEFECTIVE REAR-END OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE RING AND PINION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. DODGE DURANGO 1998. *AK

NHTSA ID

10045996

Incident

Aug 15, 2003

Mileage

88,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS MAKING HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. TRUCK ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT (APRIL 2003) USED. I WAS ASSURED BY WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED CAR DEALER (KOEPPEL OF NEW YORK) THAT VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. 6 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE NEED TO HAVE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO BE REPLACED. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING FLUID AND REAR WAS CAUSING HIGH PITCH NOISE. *LA

NHTSA ID

10045174

Incident

Oct 14, 2003

Mileage

80,000 mi

REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AT 38,627 MILES.EPLACED LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT AT 38,657 MILES.EPLACED UPPER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER BALL JOINT AT 41,634 MILES.REPLACED RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT AT 45,946 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10043720

Incident

Aug 14, 2001

Mileage

38,627 mi

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR. TOOK TO DODGE DEALERSHIP. NEEDS COMPLETE REAR END REBUILD. $1300-$1500 ESTIMATE. ONLY 63K MILES. APPARENTLY IT'S A DESIGN DEFECT BY DODGE.

NHTSA ID

10038937

Incident

Aug 2, 2003

MY 1998 DURANGO DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO METAL FLAKING OFF FROM CORROSION. CAR HAS ONLY 53000 MILES AND IS PARKED ON BLACKTOP DRIVEWAY AND IS NOT USED FOR PLOWING OR OFF-ROAD ACTIVITY. USED FOR TRAVEL IN NORTHEAST WINTER CLIMATE. *PH

NHTSA ID

10038776

Incident

Sep 11, 2003

Mileage

53,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD A HIGH PITCH SQUEAKING NOISE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE REAR END. *AK THE FRONT ROTOR DISK, RING GEAR AND PINION WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10030053

Incident

Aug 12, 2003

Mileage

41,609 mi

BALL JOINTS CASUING UNDUE WEAR AND TEAR ON TIRE REPLACED FRONT TIRE 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS

NHTSA ID

10031074

Incident

Aug 8, 2003

Mileage

60,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF OF VEHICLE. *PH

NHTSA ID

10031714

Incident

Jun 15, 2002

CONSUMER HAS STATED THAT SINCE SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE ALL LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. AT THIS TIME, ALL UPPER BALL JOINTS AND CV BOOTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. *AK

NHTSA ID

10029927

Incident

Jul 18, 2003

SUSPENSION, DRIVE TRAIN, AND FRONT BALL JOINTS BAD - 1989, DODGE, DURANGO. *AK

NHTSA ID

10028814

Incident

Jun 26, 2003

WE HAD NOTICED THAT THE TRANMISSION WAS ACTING VERY SLUGGISH. DESPITE HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED, OUR LOCAL SHOP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. WHILE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA, JUST OUTSIDE OF BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR, DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSFER CASE BLEW UP AND BOTH DRIVESHAFTS BROKE. WE WERE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR HAVING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT US, DESPITE THE BLACK COUD OF TRANSFER CASE FLUID TRAILING BEHIND US. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED EXTENSIVE SERVICE - TO THE TUNE OF $ 2,600.00. WE HAD 95,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND WERE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BY CHRYSLER. IN FACT, NOT EVEN AN OFFER TO ASSIST US WITH THE RENTAL CARS WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE.

NHTSA ID

10028797

Incident

Apr 19, 2003

Mileage

94,000 mi

THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID

10008708

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEK I NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER IN CORYDON, INDIANA. THAT I HAVE PURCHASED 2 OTHER VEHICLES FROM. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR EITHER ALL THE COST OF REPAIRS, OR THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET CHRYSLER TO PAY HALF. I THINK THIS EXTREMELY UNFAIR. I HAVE HAD REAR DIFFERENTIAL VEHICLES WITH WELL OVER 100,000 MILES THAT ARE STILL MOVING WITH NO DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO MAKE THESE CAR COMPANIES STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. THANKS, FOR YOUR TIME. RLC. *JB

NHTSA ID

10005056

Incident

Jan 31, 2003

Mileage

52,000 mi

WHEN CO. REP SAID THE CO. WOULD NOT COMPENSATE DUE TO AGE AND MILAGE EVEN THOUGH PARTS FAILED FAR SHORT OF NORMAL SERVICE LIFE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. DT

NHTSA ID

768801