Complaints
1,553
Crashes
73
Fires
15
Injuries
44
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge Durango Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1369 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
Avg mileage:70,184 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
#2293 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:67,632 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
#341 complaints
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Avg mileage:64,502 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge Durango.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 369 | 1 | 2 | 70,184 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 293 | 1 | 2 | 67,632 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 41 | 1 | 1 | 64,502 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 37 | 1 | — | 67,921 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 37 | 11 | — | 45,695 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 37 | 1 | — | 69,866 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 37 | 1 | — | 48,220 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 36 | 1 | — | 63,764 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 33 | — | — | 62,615 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 29 | — | — | 137,506 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 27 | — | — | 68,101 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 22 | — | — | 74,801 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 19 | — | 1 | 86,703 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 | — | — | 78,667 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 18 | 1 | — | 47,750 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 17 | 15 | — | 93,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 3 | — | 91,200 mi | |
| Airbags | 13 | 9 | — | 99,075 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 12 | 1 | — | 52,509 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 12 | — | — | 71,175 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 12 | 1 | — | 91,006 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 12 | — | — | 56,593 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | 2 | 112,070 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm | 10 | — | — | 59,639 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 9 | — | — | 61,109 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 9 | 4 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 9 | — | — | 66,750 mi | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 9 | — | — | 58,882 mi |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
369
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
70,184
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
293
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
67,632
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
41
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
64,502
Automatic Transmission
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,921
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
37
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,695
Suspension:Front
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,866
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,220
Suspension Failures
36
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,764
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,615
Seat-Related Issues
29
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
137,506
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
27
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,101
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,801
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,703
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,667
Tire Defects
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,750
Air Bags:Frontal
17
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,000
Steering Defects
16
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,200
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,075
Engine & Cooling
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,509
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,175
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,593
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
112,070
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,639
Other Equipment
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,109
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
9
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,750
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,882
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Durango. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Durango Years
1998 Dodge Durango — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge Durango reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 Dodge Durango has 1,553 NHTSA complaints, 73 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint with 369 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Dodge Durango?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint (369 complaints, avg 70,184 mi); Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (293 complaints, avg 67,632 mi); Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly (41 complaints, avg 64,502 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Dodge Durango?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 70,075 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge Durango include 73 crash-related reports, 15 fire reports, 44 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Dodge Durango as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Dodge Durango?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Durango reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Dodge Durango
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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