CarModelProblems.com

1998 Dodge Durango Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint — runs 12.8× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
965Complaints
6Recalls
51Crashes
12Fires
31Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (38.2% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (04V596000).

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint complaints here are 12.8× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint369 · 38.2%Investigation closedEA03023 → recall 04V596000 · PE03032
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint293 · 30.4%Investigation closedEA03023 → recall 04V596000 · PE03032
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly41 · 4.2%No official action
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls37 · 3.8%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission37 · 3.8%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip37 · 3.8%RecalledRecall 06E022000 · Recall 99V341000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP37 · 3.8%
SUSPENSION:FRONT37 · 3.8%
SUSPENSION36 · 3.7%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM33 · 3.4%
SEATS29 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 965 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 99V341000 · 1999 · reported 12/02/1999

IF THE TUBE WERE PERFORATED, THERE WOULD BE A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FROM THE REAR WHEELS, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

NHTSA campaign 99V342000 · 1999 · reported 12/02/1999

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 01V153000 · 2001 · reported 05/08/2001

WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 98V019000 · 1998 · reported 01/30/1998

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING SHOULDER BELTS FOR THE MIDDLE SEATS TIGHTEN AROUND THE OCCUPANT FOR NO REASON. OCCUPANT HAS TO KEEP TAKING THE SEAT BELT OFF TO…”NHTSA complaint 858127 — filed 03/08/2000 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
“BRAKE ROTORS WEAR UNEVENLY DUE TO THE BRAKE PAD BEING RUSTED. THIS CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 857778 — filed 03/02/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
“BRAKE ROTORS WEAR UNEVENLY DUE TO THE BRAKE PAD BEING RUSTED. THIS CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 857778 — filed 03/02/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

4172004154322006724200813102010422012472014362016332021

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge Durango?

Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint issues are the most-reported category, cited in 369 of 965 NHTSA complaints (38.2%), followed by suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (293), steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (41), visibility:power window devices and controls (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Dodge Durango have?

965 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 51 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, and 31 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Dodge Durango have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E022000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Dodge Durango's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.