KnownCarProblems2002 Dodge Durango Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 423 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Durango, most often about the suspension (34% of complaints, typically around 42,500 miles). It is 11th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2002 Dodge Durango problems
Suspension
144 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
During a vehicle state inspection, the mechanic found the upper ball joints were not in compliance because they were worn out. Please provide further details.
Both ball joints on my 2002 Durango VIN [] miles 47000 [approx]. September 04 marietta Dodge scoot the service manager said they should not be bad on a 2 year old vehicle with average miles. But I am told that my vehicle is not covered under the recall. It is extrmely clear it should be. Updated 07/24/2012 information…
Transmission
71 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, axle assembly.
On the first days of november, I stopped on a red light, when the light was green I started going. When the transmission reached the third gear, the engine revved up to 3000 + RPM. Took it to mechanic and used the scanner tool to found out that the transmission was slipping on the third and fourth gear. I was driving…
My vehicle gets stuck in park. The situation has occurred on numerous occasions to the extent of 5 or 6 times a year. The car is completely inoperable when this happens. Our solution, as recommended by a mechanic, was to bang on the steering wheel until it frees itself, but the most recent occurrence was unable to be…
Brakes
65 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, disc.
I own a 2002 Dodge Durango with 35,000 miles that has always been properly maintained. I have already had the dealer replace 2 worn ball joints last week, I've had the brake pads replaced twice, and one rotor on one side (in front) turned, and I am still hearing strange noises. I would like an investigation done on my…
While braking steering pulled to the left. Front caliper failed. Smoke started to come from the front end of the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Engine
56 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated while driving 30 MPH. There was coolant leaking from the reservoir and the temperature erratically raced to hot. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where they replaced the thermostat and the radiator pressure cap. The…
Sludge in engine in 2005 repaired by chrysler the old part is not available. Now again in 2008 sludge in engine. Car stopped while in transit in the off ramp of major highway. Sludge in engine has occurred twice now.
Electrical
48 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
Beginning october of 2010 my heater went out in my 2002 Dodge Durango. We replaced the wiring harness, the resister, and the blower motor. The connection between the resister and the wiring harness, continues to melt the first two prongs. In result the heater slowly goes out one setting at a time, as well as no heat…
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while activating the low beam headlights, they began flickering along with the instrument panel and the interior lights. The vehicle was driven to a private mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was not contacted in regard to…
Steering
28 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
I was making a right hand turn and then an immediate left at about 10mph I heard a pop on driver's side front wheel and then lost control of my car. I was able to regain control of my car but it would not turn to the left I was able to get the car to side of the road even though steering was extremely difficult. I…
The lever for tilt steering wheel broke in steering column and steering wheel will no longer change positions. According to Dodge dealer, a new steering column is the only remedy.
Air bags
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Airbag light is on. I took it to a Dodge dealer to check it out. They said that the left side impact airbag control module is bad and maybe the airbag, also the airbag module itself may be bad. Said that it is not covered under warranty since it is electrical. I thought when it came to safety issue such as airbags…
Dt: the consumer was involved in a frontal accident. Upon impact, the front airbags did not deploy. The consumer sustained injuries. A police report was taken at the scene. There had not been any previous problems with the airbags to indicate a failure. No repairs could be performed because the vehicle was totaled.…
Visibility and wipers
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer, windshield, power window devices and controls.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the blower motor resistor was defective. The contact replaced the part three times and it also affected the wiring harness. The wiring harness was being replaced by the owner. The failure caused the air conditioner fan to malfunction. Dodge was aware of the…
While driving in inclement weather, the windshield wipers failed intermittently. This caused poor visibility. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove the vehicle home. Recall#04v216000. The windshield wipers did no operate correctly when in the intermittent setting.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Dodge Durango recalls
Transmission: column shift
Risk: Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: This may allow development of a high resistive short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: upper ball joint
Risk: Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle under-seat fire
Summary
Daimlerchrylser corporation (dcc) will recall 35,103 my 2001-2003 dodge durango vehicles equipped with front bench seats (recall # 06v339, see defect report for details).the subject vehicles are equipped with either front bucket seats or a 40-20-40 split front bench seat.vehicles equipped with front bench seat contain an uncapped, unused connector located under the front edge of the seat.the connector provides power to the center console power outlet for vehicles with bucket seats, but it is unused in vehicles equipped with bench seats.the connector is located rearward of the cup holder on the tunnel for vehicles equipped with the bench seat.this connector contains a fused b+ circuit wire (t
Fire under the driver's seat
Summary
Odi is aware of 10 reports alleging that a fire originates underneath the driver's seat.six of thefires occurred while the vehicle was parked with the ignition switch turned off (key not in the ignition).the subject vehicles are equipped with manual seats. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis, (ea06-011), to allow further investigation of the issue.
Upper ball joint separation
Summary
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no. 04v-596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of agency resources does no
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Summary
In july 2003, odi opened pe03-032 based on 4 consumer complaints alleging separation of an upper ball joint.complaints alleged an unexpected collapse in the front end and in some occasions the ball joint separation is alleged to have resulted in the wheel, brake rotor, and steering knuckle separating from the vehicle.since opening the pe, odi has received 23 additional complaints related to ball joint separation. Daimlerchrysler has identified a wearout concern in the subject ball joints that is believed to occur after water intrusion evacuates the joint lubricant.daimlerchrysler does not believe the condition poses an unreasonable risk to safety because the suspension design in the subject
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Questions about the 2002 Dodge Durango
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Durango?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (144 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles); transmission (71 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); brakes (65 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Durango have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 4, 2007 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Dodge Durango?
- It is 11th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints, with 423 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.