RoadVitals

1998 Dodge Durango Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
50
Latest Apr 25, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 965 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Dodge Durango submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 50 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

The 25 most recent of 50, in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Apr 25, 2008

WINDOW REGULATORS ON 3 DOORS HAVE FAILED SINCE STATED DATE. NORMAL SHUTTING OF DOORS CAUSES A PLASTIC PIECE WERE THE CABLES MEET TO FAIL. THIS PLASTIC PIECE IS NOT A STAND ALONE PART. COMPETE REGULATOR MUST BE PURCHASED AT $100+. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225696
Incident
Aug 12, 2005
SteeringSuspensionVisibility
Filed Apr 24, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOOSER THAN NORMAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AND BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE STEERING BOX WERE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST $1,001.24. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,298 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,598. UPDATED 05/05/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 10, 2003 HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS. UPDATED 05/05/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10225585
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
59,298 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 5, 2006

WINDOW REGULATOR THAT CONTROLS WINDOWS HAS HAD 8 FAILURES AND REPLACEMENTS IN AS MANY YEARS WITH MINIMAL USAGE. I HAVE NO CHILDREN AND LIVE IN ARIZONA SO WINDOWS ARE IN UP POSITION 80% OF THE TIME. NO REASON FOR FAILURES OTHER THAN DEFECTIVE PLACEMENT AND PARTS AS STATED BY DODGE SERVICE ADVISOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161453
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
Mileage
103,465 mi
BrakesSuspensionVisibility
Filed Jul 26, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ON VEHICLE. ALSO, BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE WAS AT 27,280. THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OCCURRED AT 43,908 MILES. CONSUMER STATED FRONT END WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AND WAS DRIVING DIFFERENTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS SENDING THE SERVICE RECEIPTS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT MODEL YEAR FOR THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE ADDRESS FOR THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.*AK REPAIR RECEIPTS ATTACHED FOR BALL JOINTS. WINDSHIELD SPRAYER SPRAYS ONE SIDE. CONNECTOR REPALCED. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS MACHINED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10130047
Incident
Feb 22, 2005
SteeringSuspensionVisibility
Filed Jun 17, 2005

DT: OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS. . ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS THE REGULATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE. DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TO BE REPLACED THE MOST. ALSO, LOWER BALL JOINTS / LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, AND STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR TIME. CURRENTLY THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THESE HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE CONSUMER OWNED IT. CONSUMER DEALT WITH DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. CHRYSLER WAS VERY RUDE AND HUNG UP ON THE CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10125670
Incident
Apr 13, 1999
Mileage
6,000 mi
SuspensionVisibility
Filed Apr 8, 2005

UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. THREE OF THE FOUR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE THEY BURNED OUT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10115103
Incident
Oct 17, 2003
Mileage
68,000 mi
Interior & seatsOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)+3 more
Filed May 30, 2004

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
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Apr 20, 2004

WHILE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED UPPER BALL JOINTS FELL OFF. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK BRAKES WERE PULSATING WHEN VEHICLE TRYING TO STOP. IT WAS FOUND THAT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. VEHICLE DOESN'T START OCCASIONALLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME. NO FAULTS ON TEST FOUND; THEREFORE, DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, MOLDING ON WINDOWS, DOORS, AND BUMPER. *LA

NHTSA ID
10063530
Incident
Apr 6, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
EngineVisibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 98 DURANGO. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, AND THE VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES. THE CURRENT PROBLEM, AND THE ONE FOR WHICH I FILED THE COMPLAINT, DEALS WITH THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS NOT UNCTIONING. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WENT OUT LAST YEAR. WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE PASSENGER WINDOW WENT OUT, AND THE RIGHT REAR HAS BEGUN TO OPERATE INCONSISTENTLY. AS FOR REPAIRS, A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER SAID THEY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM ARE THE WINDOW REGULATORS. AS TO COST, I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH CHRYSLER CORP.(NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER) AS TO WHAT THEY WILL DO TO FIX. MY OWN INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR DURANGO. JUST TODAY CHRYSLER HAS ASKED ME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RE-DIAGNOSED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (AT MY COST). THEY WILL THEN DETERMINE IF AND WHAT THEY WILL DO. HOWEVER, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE FELT A TOTAL REPAIR COMPENSATION FOR THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AND SUGGESTED I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I INFORMED HIM OF MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM TO LITTLE AVAIL. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS THE FINAL DECISION MAKER FOR THIS SITUATION, AND IN CASE OF MY DISAGREEMENT WITH HIS DECISION, I HAD NO OTHER RECOURSE THROUGH CHRYSLER CORP. I ALSO HAVE A WORSENING REAR MAIN SEAL OIL LEAK. THE PRELIMINARY REPAIR ESTIMATE IS OVER $1200. AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE, I'VE ASKED CHRYSLER TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR COST. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER, BUT FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
10070566
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
31,000 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Dec 5, 2003

MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO CONTINUES TO SHOW PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND FRONT. THERE ARE ONLY 57000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE MILES HAVE BEEN EASY MILES, (ALL ON ROAD AND EASY DRIVING). I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BOX, AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS PLUS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND DRUM. ALL OF THIS HAS COST $550 THE FIRST TIME AND $880 THE SECOND TIME. THIS COST COME IN ADDITION TO REPLACEMENT A HEAD GASKET AND REAR WINDOWS THAT DON'T WORK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10049289
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
Mileage
42,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 30, 2003

1998 DODGE DURANGO SLT: POWER WINDOWS, ESPECIALLY ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE ARE PERIODICALLY FAILING TO OPEN. ALL 4 REGULATORS REPLACED ONCE. PASSENGER FRONT MOTOR AND REGULATOR REPLACED TWICE AND NOW BOTH WINDOWS ON PASSENGER SIDE ARE FAILED. ARE THERE ANY BULLETINS TO DIRECT DEALER REPAIR OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION? *LA

NHTSA ID
10045145
Incident
Oct 30, 2003
Other / unspecifiedSuspensionVisibility
Filed Sep 21, 2003

I HAVE REPLACED TWO WINDOW MOTORS AND HAVE ANOTHER ONE TO REPLACE AS IT IS OUT NOW I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY COMPLAINTS OR CAMPAIGNS ON WINDOW MOTORS ALSO I WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT FRONT SUSPENSION EITHER THE BALL JOINTS UPPER OR LOWER ARE WEAK OR OUT BUT I HAVE WEAR PROBLEMS ON MY NEW TIRES AND IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT WAY ONLY BEING A 1998 ARE THERE ANY CAMPAIGNS ON THIS .*JB

NHTSA ID
10039251
Incident
Sep 21, 2003
TransmissionVisibility
Filed Jul 23, 2003

ALL FOUR POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT IN 2001. TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT A HIGHER RPM. IT DOES NOT SHIFT UNTIL 3800 TO 4500. THIS ACCURED AT 58000 MILES JUNE 4.

NHTSA ID
10028943
Incident
Oct 10, 2001
Mileage
38,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 9, 2002

THERE IS A PLASTIC FLAP COVERING THE VENT IN THE DASHBOARD WHICH PREVENTS AIR OR HEAT FROM COMING OUT OF THE VENT. I'VE TRIED TO PUSH THE FLAP BACK DOWN BUT IT CONTINUES TO FLIP UP WHEN I USED THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONER.*AK

NHTSA ID
760495
Incident
Feb 25, 2002
Visibility
Filed Apr 9, 2002

SINCE BUYING THE USED 1998 DODGE DURANGO SLT IN OCTOBER OF 2001 WITH APPROXIMATELY 26000 MILES. I HAD THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE MOTOR IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH COST ME $100 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. I NOW HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DEFOGGER ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR IS BAD. I HAVEN'T REPLACED IT AS OF THIS TIME. ALTHOUGH THE DURANGO IS APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS OLD, IT ONLY HAD 26000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHICH MEANT THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEN OFTEN BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I BROUGHT A CAR FAX REPORT TO CONFIRM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP WITH THESE PROBLEMS WHICH IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THANKS

NHTSA ID
760494
Incident
Jan 4, 2002
Visibility
Filed Oct 17, 2001

I REALLY LIKE MY DODGE DURANGO BUT THE MIRRORS ARE VERY LARGE WHICH CAUSES BLIND SPOTS. I CAN'T SEE TRAFFIC LEFT OR RIGHT. I THOUGHT MY HEIGHT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT MY HUSBAND IS 6'2 AND HE SEES THE PROBLEM. I NEED YOUR ADVISE AND HELP ON THIS MATTER.... I AM SO AFRAID OF HAVING A ACCIDENT. HAS THERE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER ? I HOPE I'M SENDING THIS COMPLAINT TO THE RIGHT DEPT. AND HOPE I GAVE YOU ENOUGHT INFO. WHAT EVER HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WILL BE APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
753347
Visibility
Filed Aug 30, 2001

REGULATOR ON POWER OPERATED WINDOWS MANLFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED WINDOWS TO REMAIN IN UPRIGHT POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ID
895537
Visibility
Filed Aug 23, 2001

PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ARE LARGE IN SIZE AND HEIGHT. HOWEVER, IT'S EXTREMELY HARD TO DETERMINE TRAFFIC DUE TO BLIND SPOT. ALSO, THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TOW PACKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
895072
Visibility
Filed Jul 23, 2001

REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS. TO THIS DATE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I DON'T THINK I'M THE ONLY CUSTOMER HAVING THIS PROBLEM!*AK

NHTSA ID
749002
Visibility
Filed Jul 12, 2001

THE FLAP WHICH ALLOWS THE AIR TO EITHER FLOW THROUGH THE VENTS OR DEFROST OR HEATER VENTS IS STUCK BLOWING AIR OUT THE HEATER AND DEFROST VENTS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DODGE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $200 FOR A PART THAT IS KNOWN BY DODGE TO HAVE A DEFECT. MY CHILDREN AND I ARE ABOUT TO SUFFOCATE FROM THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER. IS DODGE GOING TO BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM OR NOT? MY NEXT PROBLEM IS THE FRONT END WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES AND HAVE HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WITH NO RESULTS. I KNOW OF PLENTY OF DURANGO OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IS THIS DEFECTIVE PARTS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM? I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION/STARTER NOT WANTING TO START AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT OR JUST SOMETHING WORN OUT. DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM YET. THANKS.*AK

NHTSA ID
748384
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Visibility
Filed Jun 19, 2001

POWER OPERATED WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BECOME JAMMED WITHIN DOOR FRAME. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
890700
Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 2001

WHILE TRYING TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN WINDOWS WOULD NOT MOVE. PASSENGER'S SIDE FIRST, THEN DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW. NO NOISES OR SOUNDS WHEN TRYING TO ROLL WINDOWS DOWN. DEALER SAID IT WAS WINDOW REGULATORS. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
877533
Incident
Oct 3, 2000
Visibility
Filed Jan 4, 2001

BOTH WINDOWS ON LEFT SIDE OF CAR WILL NOT WORK... DRIVER WINDOW IS GOING OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
738808
Incident
Oct 3, 2000
Visibility
Filed Mar 10, 2000

THE POWER WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED, THE WINDOW LOCK BUTTON DOESN'T WORK AND THE WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. NLM

NHTSA ID
551339
Body & structureDriver assistanceEngine+2 more
Filed Feb 11, 2000

THE PROBLEMS WE HAD WITH THE WINDOWS, GOING DOWN BY ITSELF AND THEN NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THEM UP WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER (TOMKINSON DODGE) TWICE. THE FIRST TIME , THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT IT WASN'T. THE SECOND TIME , THE WINDOW WENT DOWN BY ITSELF , WE COULDN'T GET IT UP. REPORTED TO DEALER (TOMKIN DODGE), THEY TOLD US TO TAKE DOOR PANEL OFF AND PULL WINDOW UP UNTIL THEY COULD GET TO IT. THE INSIDE WINDOW CABLE WAS SO BADLESS TWISTED AND TANGLED, IT WAS ABOUT TO BROKE. THEY WORKED ON IT, AGAIN SAYING IT WAS FIXED. WINDOW AGAIN WENT DOWN (I DON'T REMEMBER THE TIME SPAN AFTER BEING "FIXED". SO THIS TIME WE TOOK IT TO EVANS CHRSLER-PLYMOUTH-DDOGE IN KENDALLVILLE TO BE FIXED. THEY REPLACED ALL THE WINDOW REGULATORS, AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS SINCE. THERE WAS A OBJECT RATTLING AROUND IN THE REAR HATCH WHEN CLOSING IT THAT TOMKIN DODGE COULD NOT SEEM TO FIX, BUT EVANS DID. THE VEHICLE ALSO USES A LOT OF OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, WE CHANGETHE OIL EVERY 2000 MILES AND WOULD HAVE TO PUT 3 OR 4 QUARTS IN BETWEEN CHANGES. TOOK IT TO EVANS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON FEB. 7, 2000, IN WHICH THEY REPLACED FOUR GASKETS; INTAKE MANIFOLD PKG.,THROTTLE BODY, THERMOSTAT, CLEANED COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND ALSO REPAIRED THE HOOD HINGES. WE WILL SEE IF THIS TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I THINK FOR A $30,000.00 VECHICLE THAT IT SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER THAN IT HAS. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT. IT SIDES AROUND THEN STOPPING AND TAKING OFF. HAVE NOT HAD THIS CHECKED OUT YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
718593
Incident
May 13, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .