1998 Dodge Durango Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 540about this part
- Share
- 56%of 965 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 540 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Dodge Durango, 56% of the 965 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bought my Durango new in may 1998. The automatic transmission started shifting improperly in july 2000. Took it to a Dodge dealer because it was still under warranty (31,418 miles). They dropped the transmission pan and pronounced it doa (pan was full of metal shavings). Should have seen the writing on the wall but I loved this vehicle. Took it to an inspection station for safety & emissions tests in may of 2006. It failed for bad ball joints. …”
NHTSA complaint #10886041, filed 2016-07, 74,064 miles“My 1998 Dodge Durango 4x4 is in need of replacement of the following front end parts: driver's side upper and lower ball joints, and outer tie rod, passenger side upper and lower balljoints, and inner tie rod. The SUV is very difficult to handle because of this and I feel extremely dangerous putting my life in jeopardy on several occasions on highways.”
NHTSA complaint #10080572, filed 2004-07, 42,000 miles“Owner 1998 Dodge Durango, have had to replace ball joints twice 1st at 50,000 miles and again at 90,000 miles, this last time had fire on r side of vehicle under car. I have a 1,600.00 bill at dealed for repairs most of it for ball joints. I notified daimlerchysler after the 1st time it happened. This time I would like to file complaint with your agency.”
NHTSA complaint #10060286, filed 2004-03, 50,000 miles“Ball joints on my 1998 Dodge Durango were worn to the point that they could come apart with only 50,000 miles on it. I was lucky my mechanic caught the situation during a inspection and possibly saved my life and who knows how many more. The repair cost me $125 I have since traded the Durango on a new truck but I don't want this to happen to someone else.”
NHTSA complaint #10060532, filed 2004-03, 50,000 miles“1998 Durango premature ball joint failure. My Durango required ball joint replacement 13 months after the original purchase of this new vehicle, and for over the last year I have noticed that the problem has returned. I'd like to get the problem fixed, but I'd like to see if you are going to recall them. They really need to be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10065781, filed 2004-04, 20,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 13% |
| 2025 | 1 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 7% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% |
| 2016 | 5 | 3% |
| 2015 | 9 | 2% |
| 2014 | 7 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 18 | 2% |
| 2003 | 91 | 27% |
| 2002 | 144 | 34% |
| 2001 | 265 | 40% |
| 2000 | 507 | 47% |
| 1999 | 1,102 | 56% |
| 1998 | 540 | 56% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Durango
103 complaintsBrakes
94 complaintsSteering
90 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
50 complaintsSeats
43 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsEquipment
27 complaintsSeat belts
27 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsTires
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge Durango
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology