1998 Dodge Durango Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe worn front ball joints and control arms, frequently noticed at low mileage and commonly found during alignment or inspection work when tires begin wearing unevenly. Many complaints also describe transmission or transfer case problems and steering looseness, while a smaller group covers brake and cooling issues at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Worn front ball joints and control arms

   • 499 complaints (52%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (294 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 61 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2016

   Complaints describe front-end clunking, squeaking, or creaking over bumps, vague or wandering steering, and uneven front tire wear that makes alignment impossible. Owners say shops and dealers often found upper and lower ball joints, and sometimes control arms, worn or separated, and repairs were commonly paid for out of pocket at independent shops or dealers. Several owners mention repeated replacement of the same joints over a few years. Reported from roughly 32,000 to 155,000 miles, with many entries under 60,000 miles and several at 35,000-50,000.

   What to check: Have a shop inspect all four ball joints and control arms on a lift before buying, and ask for repair receipts showing when they were last replaced. Uneven front tire wear or a front end that cannot be aligned is a sign to look closer.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 98 Durango makes a squeaking noise (front end) every time I drive over a bump. In addition to the noise, the vehicle's steering is also very loose. Vehicle tracks well, but there's a couple/few inches of play in the steering wheel. Very noticeable when driving at higher speeds. Suspect upper/lower ball joints. Awaiting outcome of investigation for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045502, filed 2003-11, 40,000 miles

   “In june, 2003 I took my Durango into the shop for some routine servicing. The mechanic inspected the front of the vehicle and noticed considerable wear to the upper and lower ball joints on the front end. He recommended immediate replacement of these parts. Thankfully, I had these parts replaced in july before a serious accident occurred. However, these repairs were done outside of the warranty period and at considerable cost to myself. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10062232, filed 2004-03, 37,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Loose or off-center steering, tie rod and drag link wear

   Mentioned in 11 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe excess play in the steering wheel, off-center steering, constant corrections at highway speed, and in some cases the vehicle pulling or jerking to one side. Complaints mention steering box adjustment, power steering box replacement, and worn inner and outer tie rod ends or drag link components; one owner reported a tie rod end hanging down after the threads gave way. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles, often alongside front suspension work.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for steering wheel play and whether the wheel sits centered going straight; ask whether the steering box, tie rod ends, or drag link have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10049289, filed 2003-12, 42,000 miles

   “I have a 98 Dodge Durango that has to have the entire front end linkages replaced. All ball joints, tierods, linkages etc. Entire front was loose. Saw newsreport of this problem and took truck in for free inspection. Now, $2000 later I have my truck back. Dodge claims no responsibility. Its just news and no recall is done. This is unacceptable and this appears to be a national problem and this defect should be recalled and reimbursed for expenses.”

   NHTSA complaint #10049035, filed 2003-12, 129,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and transfer case problems

   • 86 complaints (9%)
   • median 65,623 mi at 5.9 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2021

   Owners report transmissions that shift late or harshly, act sluggish, or fail outright, with one complaint describing a transfer case failure and broken driveshafts while driving at highway speed. Complaints also mention differential noise and leaks. Repairs described include transmission rebuilds and replacement, and owners say the dealer declined coverage once the vehicle was out of warranty. Typically reported between about 38,000 and 134,000 miles, with transmission failures often near 65,000-100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive at highway speed and note shift quality and any whine or vibration from the drivetrain; check the fluid condition and ask whether the transmission or transfer case has been serviced or rebuilt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045174, filed 2003-10, 80,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070543, filed 2004-01, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake and ABS warning lights, uneven braking

   • 62 complaints (6%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $610 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners describe ABS and brake warning lights coming on, front wheels that will not lock under braking, and noises from the front brakes. Some complaints mention caliper pins or bolts working loose and wear or damage to steering knuckle and spindle components; owners say dealers sometimes could not find a fault. Reported from about 38,000 to 134,000 miles, often after brake service.

   Recall 99V341000

   What to check: Ask whether the rear brake tube has been inspected for rubbing under the vehicle, and have the brakes and ABS checked for warning lights and loose caliper hardware before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this car used in the last week of november '08. I had my brakes done by an individual maybe two weeks later. A couple of day later driving home from work I started hearing a real loud iron grinding noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10260164, filed 2009-02, 134,000 miles

   “Rear ABS failure when a dear ran out in front of me. Front brakes locked up, rear of SUV passed the front. Dear was hit with the left front and left side as the vehicle skidded out of control. 1 death if you count the dear”

   NHTSA complaint #10082543, filed 2004-07, 60,000 miles

Buying note. Budget for a front suspension and steering inspection on any example of this model year, since ball joint and tie rod wear is the most frequent theme and can affect tire wear and handling. Also ask for service records on the transmission and cooling system, as both appear repeatedly in owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.