2002 Dodge Durango Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 Dodge Durango most often write about the front suspension, especially upper ball joints and control arms that wear and are reported as noisy or loose, sometimes at low mileage. Transmission shifting complaints, early brake wear, and occasional electrical faults such as the central timer module are also described. Many reports involve vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, though suspension complaints often come in earlier.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front upper ball joint and control arm wear

   • 126 complaints (30%)
   • median 41,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (77 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $990 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2018

   Complaints describe clunking or squeaking from the front end, loose or wandering steering, and in some cases a wheel separating, often traced to worn upper ball joints or control arms. Several owners say the joints were replaced under the recall and then wore again within a short time, or that a dealer declined to cover the repeat repair. Some report paying for new upper control arm assemblies because replacement ball joints alone were not available. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 95,000 miles, including vehicles serviced well before 50,000 miles.

   Recall 04V5960001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the upper ball joints were replaced under the 04V596000 recall and have the front end inspected for play, clunking, or uneven tire wear before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I heard a clunking noise from front of vehicle when braking or turning. When I took it for service, I was told the right front steering control arm was broken and catastrophic consequences were imminent if I drove. The vehicle was repaired by the Dodge dealer. I was later advised that NHTSA campaign 04v596000 was associated with this failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10199025, filed 2007-08, 114,000 miles

   “The front suspension is having multiple problems, my 02 Durango has been through 2 previous cv joints on the driver's side and 1 previous on the passenger side, and now both have failed once again. Driver's side front hub assembly/bearing has gone bad for 2nd time, also the upper & lower ball joints have gone bad for the 2nd time each. I need 2 new lower back bumpers for the upper control arm (both front). My vehicle now has 103k miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10344789, filed 2010-07, 103,400 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Shifter stuck in or out of Park

   • 61 complaints (14%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2020

   Owners describe the column shifter refusing to move out of Park on startup, sometimes freeing after a delay, pumping the brake pedal, or wiggling the lever; a few say it will not engage Park reliably. Some complaints reference the park/ignition interlock recall and note the dealer said their vehicle was not covered. Dealers and shops variously diagnosed a solenoid or linkage issue. Mostly reported between about 85,000 and 130,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage.

   Recall 07V5550002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm whether the 07V555000 park/ignition interlock recall was completed, and test shifting in and out of Park several times, including after the engine has been off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The transmission shift selector sometimes won't engage in park. This hasn't caused a problem yet. However I am very careful to set the parking brake so that the vehicle doesn't roll away. I called chrysler to inquire about a recall that affected many 2002 durangos that had a similar issue. They said my vehicle was not part of the recall even though I am having a similar problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10514530, filed 2013-05, 77,150 miles

   “After starting my Dodge Durango and try to take it out of gear, the gear shifter gets stuck in park, it will not move. I have to keep playing around with it until it moves out of park. It does this off and on, just stated this about a couple of months ago. Today is 2/16/2020. Yesterday, I looked up the problem on you tube, and found out that I could take the boot off at the column by the shifter and spray wd40 on the gear lock to unstick it. I did do that and it worked. But what is making it do that to begin with?”

   NHTSA complaint #11309471, filed 2020-02, 102,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake rotors and pads wearing early

   • 60 complaints (14%)
   • median 34,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2019

   Complaints describe brake rotors needing resurfacing or replacement and pads wearing out at low mileage, with some owners noting uneven wear between inner and outer pads. Others report a front caliper seizing or the brake pedal feeling soft with the ABS warning light on. Dealers typically recommended new pads and rotors. Often reported under 40,000 miles, with caliper and ABS-related reports appearing later.

   What to check: Check rotor thickness and pad wear, look for uneven inner/outer pad wear, and ask for service records showing recent brake work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2002 Dodge Durango with 4wd and it has 37,000 miles on it. I have to change both front wheel brake rotors. When I took the brake pads out, I found that on both wheels the inside brake pad has been completely worn out and pitted into the rotor while both outside brake pads has only less than 1/3 wear out of the material. It looks like the disk brake system in the front wheel has some kind of design flaw. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10068165, filed 2004-05, 37,000 miles

   “During breaking, steering, and turning, I hear a clacking sound and there is a feeling of something sticking. When the SUV is parked on my drive way, I release the hand break and I can hear a strong clack sound. I had times where the breaking system was difficult to press. I took the SUV to pep boys and their evaluation shows that it needs upper and lower ball joints, front brakes, and shock and struts. Steering: terrible and extremely difficult to turn (super hard to steer). Some parts where changed by pep boys in an urgent situation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10716090, filed 2015-05, 153,500 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Stalling or engine cutting out while driving

   • 41 complaints (10%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2020

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at speed or at idle, with power steering and gauges affected and no warning light, then restarting normally. Some owners report replacing crank or camshaft sensors without resolving it, and some say dealers could not reproduce or diagnose the problem. A few describe overheating below highway speed with the air conditioning on. Mostly reported at high mileage, from roughly 100,000 to over 200,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask about any stalling history and recent sensor replacements, and have a shop check for stored codes and scan data during a test drive at both idle and highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving, the steering wheel locks and the car dies. It has happen several times while I'm on the road. Replaced camshaft sensor but it is still dying. If you do a google search you will find that a lot of people are having the same issue. It is dangerous and my life and the life of others can be at risk.”

   NHTSA complaint #11326992, filed 2020-06, 207,239 miles

   “I purchase the vehicle new in jan 2003. I first experienced the problem a few months later but it was very occasional and consequently couldn't be identified by the dealer. What happened was that (usually at highway speed), the engine would very briefly shut off and then resume normally. The best way I could describe it would be a slight 'stagger'. Over the years the problem has become more and more frequent and now occurs at all speeds in all driving conditions regardless of load, temperature, weather, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10235768, filed 2008-07, 119,800 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Central timer module and electrical faults

   • 38 complaints (9%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2019

   Owners describe turn signals, headlights, wipers, interior lights, door locks, and other accessories stopping or cycling on their own, sometimes with repeated failures after repairs. Several complaints point to the central timer module, with dealers declining coverage once the vehicle was out of warranty. Some note a blower motor resistor failing repeatedly, in a few cases with signs of connector heat. Generally reported between about 40,000 and 125,000 miles.

   Recall 06V3390001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test all lights, wipers, and door locks, ask whether the central timer module has been replaced, and confirm the 06V339000 recall work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Electrical system failures have resulted in turn signals not working on four different occasions over the course of 5 years. The wiring harness under dash has been repaired under warranty, replaced not under warranty, and repaired again not under warranty. 4th failure has not yet been addressed. Right turn signal does not function. Flasher, bulbs and fuses are working. Over $1,600 invested in turn signal problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10173533, filed 2006-11, 41,600 miles

   “The central timer module started malfunctioning for no apparent reason. Headlights, parking lights, interior lights, windshield wipers, 4-wheel drive and other electric accessories stop working while driving vehicle. This happens with no warning. Disconnecting battery fixes these problems temporarily, but ignition chime goes off continuously while driving until all of the above accessories stop working altogether. Vehicle is past basic warranty, so dealer refuses to pay for the module.”

   NHTSA complaint #10122519, filed 2005-05, 54,200 miles

Buying note. Inspect the front suspension and ball joints carefully and confirm recall work on the ball joints and shifter interlock, since those come up most often in owner reports. Service records for brakes, the timer module, and any stalling history are worth asking about on a vehicle of this age and mileage.

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.