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

Suspension is the most named group, with 540 of 965 NHTSA complaints. Power train (103), brakes (94) and steering (90) follow.

Has the 1998 Dodge Durango been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls: air bag clockspring, rear brake tube, fuel tank strap and generator cable.

What MPG does a 1998 Dodge Durango get?

EPA rates the 5.2L at 12 city, 16 highway and 13 combined MPG. The 5.9L is rated 11 city, 16 highway and 13 combined.

Is the 1998 Dodge Durango safe?

NHTSA lists it as not rated in its 5-Star program. Its record includes 4 recalls.

How do complaint counts vary by Durango model year?

A lot. 1998 has 965 complaints, 2003 has 339 and 2009 has 17. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

1998 Dodge Durango Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 965 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Dodge Durango^[1]. Suspension is the most named component group, with 540 complaints^[2].

965owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

13MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 965 complaints for this model year^[1]. Of those, 51 mention a crash, 12 a fire and 31 an injury, and none report a death^[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group	Complaints	Median miles at failure
Suspension^[2]	540	68,202
Power train^[5]	103	68,000
Brakes^[6]	94	63,000
Steering^[7]	90	65,000
Engine^[8]	66	62,700
Visibility^[9]	50	50,649
Seats^[10]	43	121,114
Electrical system^[11]	34	81,000

We read a small sample of complaint texts for the biggest groups. The themes below come from that sample only, so they show what some owners describe and not how common a problem is.

Suspension. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 describe ball joints failing sooner than the owner expected, and 4 describe vibration or shaking at highway speed^[2].
Power train. In a sample of 12, 4 describe the automatic transmission slipping or missing gears^[5]. Another 4 describe the vehicle moving out of park, including cases where a child moved the shifter^[5].
Brakes. Of the groups listed here, brakes have the most crashes, 15^[6]. In a sample of 12, 6 describe brakes that did not stop the vehicle or a pedal that dropped to the floor, often on wet roads^[6]. Another 2 describe front brakes locking up on wet pavement^[6].
Steering. In a sample of 12, 7 describe worn or failing steering parts such as the rack, column, shaft or ball joints, often with noise or shaking^[7].

Electrical complaints are few at 34, but they include 5 fires^[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 Durango^[3]. Newest first:

Air bag clockspring (01V153), May 2001. Material inside the steering wheel could come loose and interfere with the clockspring ribbon. That can cut the circuit, which disables the driver air bag and turns on the air bag warning lamp. The fix is a new clockspring assembly from a dealer, at no cost^[12].
Rear brake tube (99V341), December 1999. The rear brake tube can rub on an underbody crossmember and wear a hole in it. That reduces braking from the rear wheels and lengthens stopping distances. Dealers add a rubber isolator, or replace the tube if it already shows contact and has high mileage or rust^[13].
Fuel tank strap (99V342), December 1999. The strap that holds the fuel tank can break from fatigue. The tank would then be unsupported, which raises the risk of a fuel leak and, with an ignition source, a fire. Dealers swap the strap for a different design. Vehicles built through May 21, 1998 get this repair together with the brake tube work under 99V341^[14].
Generator cable (98V019), January 1998. A fastener on the generator cable was not tight enough. The loose connection can arc and start a fire in the engine compartment. Dealers retighten the cable fasteners^[15].

Each recall record lists a dealer remedy^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 5.2L V8 with a 4-speed automatic at 12 city, 16 highway and 13 combined MPG^[4]. The 5.9L V8 is rated 11 city, 16 highway and 13 combined^[16]. Both use regular fuel and four-wheel or all-wheel drive.

EPA estimates the annual fuel cost at $5,150 for each engine^[4]^[16]. That figure uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this model year as not rated^[17].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this model year, a 5.2L V8 and a 5.9L V8^[4]^[16].

The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the SLT/SLT PLUS 4WD^[18], converted to US units^[18]. They can differ slightly from US models.

Measure	Value
Length^[18]	193 in
Width^[18]	72 in
Height^[18]	72 in
Wheelbase^[18]	116 in
Curb weight^[18]	4,555 lb

How 1998 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Durango model year. The 1998 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1998	965	4
1999	1,967	3
2000	1,075	2
2001	665	5
2002	423	4
2003	339	4
2004	1,115	8
2005	1,567	8
2006	852	9
2007	275	4
2008	97	2
2009	17	4
2011	800	8
2012	640	10
2013	640	11
2014	783	11
2015	503	4
2016	161	3
2017	213	2
2018	233	5
2019	144	4
2020	55	2
2021	204	8
2022	59	7
2023	32	2
2024	14	0
2025	8	0
2026	14	0

The 1998 model year has 965 complaints and 4 recalls on file^[3]. The 1999 model year has 1,967 complaints and 3 recalls, and 2000 has 1,075 complaints and 2 recalls^[3]. Four model years have more complaints than 1998: 1999, 2005 (1,567), 2004 (1,115) and 2000^[3].

These counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so they are a rough guide only. The 2002 and 2003 model years show fewer complaints, at 423 and 339^[3].

Should you buy a used 1998 Durango?

The complaint record points to the suspension, brakes, steering and transmission as the areas to check before you buy^[2]^[5]^[6]^[7]. Fuel use is heavy at 13 combined MPG, and EPA puts the yearly fuel bill at $5,150^[4]^[16]. The truck has no NHTSA crash rating^[17]. Check that the four recalls were done^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge Durango?: Suspension is the most named group, with 540 of 965 NHTSA complaints^[1]^[2]. Power train (103), brakes (94) and steering (90) follow^[5]^[6]^[7].
Has the 1998 Dodge Durango been recalled?: NHTSA lists 4 recalls: air bag clockspring, rear brake tube, fuel tank strap and generator cable^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[3].
What MPG does a 1998 Dodge Durango get?: EPA rates the 5.2L at 12 city, 16 highway and 13 combined MPG^[4]. The 5.9L is rated 11 city, 16 highway and 13 combined^[16].
Is the 1998 Dodge Durango safe?: NHTSA lists it as not rated in its 5-Star program^[17]. Its record includes 4 recalls^[3].
How do complaint counts vary by Durango model year?: A lot. 1998 has 965 complaints^[3], 2003 has 339^[3] and 2009 has 17^[3]. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide^[3].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 965 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Dodge Durango (51 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 31 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
540 complaints name the suspension component group (5 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,202). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Durango model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Durango 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
103 complaints name the power train component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
94 complaints name the brakes component group (15 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
90 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
66 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,700). NHTSA vehicle records
50 complaints name the visibility component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,649). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 121,114). NHTSA vehicle records
34 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 01V153, filed May 8, 2001: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 99V341, filed December 2, 1999: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 99V342, filed December 2, 1999: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting. NHTSA recall database
Recall 98V019, filed January 30, 1998: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Durango 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DURANGO 4WD SLT/SLT PLUS: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,555 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

1998 Dodge Durango: problems, recalls and fuel economy