1998 Dodge Durango complaints

THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *AK *NLM

LOW BEAMS GO OUT WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS CREATED ZERO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK RURAL ROAD. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE.*JB

NAR 02/28/2003 MR DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE *CB

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT 2 SAFTY DEFECTS WITH MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO. FIRST IS THE POOR QUALITY WHEEL STUDS. DURING VARIOUS TIRE ROTATIONS AT A QUALIFIED SERVICE CENTER, SIX STUDS HAVE BROKEN (TWICE AT THE DEALER). I'M REALLY WORRIED THAT AT SOME POINT A WHEEL MAY COME OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. SECOND, THE DRIVERS POWER ADJUST SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING BRAKING & ACCELERATION. THIS IS ANNOYING AND I'M AFRAID THAT EVENTUALLY, IT'S GOING TO BREAK ALL THE WAY LOOSE.*JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*JB *TS

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN CONSUMER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB *TS

EXCESSIVE PLAY AND OFF-CENTERED STEERING WAS CORRECTED AT 47K MILES BY DEALER- ADJUSTMENT TO THE STEERING BOX. PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED AT 87K MILES. CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH OFF CENTERED STEERING AND NOW-GROWING TRACKING PROBLEMS WITH CONSTANT CORRECTIONS NEEDED TO KEEP VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT LINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JB

DODGE DURANGO SLUDGE ENGINE

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEK I NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED WHINE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER IN CORYDON, INDIANA. THAT I HAVE PURCHASED 2 OTHER VEHICLES FROM. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR EITHER ALL THE COST OF REPAIRS, OR THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET CHRYSLER TO PAY HALF. I THINK THIS EXTREMELY UNFAIR. I HAVE HAD REAR DIFFERENTIAL VEHICLES WITH WELL OVER 100,000 MILES THAT ARE STILL MOVING WITH NO DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO MAKE THESE CAR COMPANIES STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. THANKS, FOR YOUR TIME. RLC. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD SHUT OFF, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO CONSUMER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE ON THE WAY TO WORK, OIL PRESSURE GOES TO 0 AND TRUCK STALLED. GOT TRUCK TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS INFORMED BY SHOP THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY PROBLEM WE HAVE EVER HAD WITH THIS TRUCK AND NOW I SEARCH THE INTERNET AND FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO AND THAT THE COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR ENGINES AND DOESN'T ADMIT THERE IS ANY PROBLEMS. NOW WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE $4,000 - $6,000 TO GET A NEW ENGINE AND STILL MAKE A TRUCK PAYMENT.

INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER VIEW DURING NIGHTTIME. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE BALL JOINTS FAILED AT 78,000 MILES. *JB

CONSUMER STATES SINCE SHE HAS PURCHASED HER TRUCK, SHE HAS HAD STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF SET. MR

FIRST FAILURE OIL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON INTERMITENTLY TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED OIL PUMP. NO MENTION OF SLUDGE OR ANY BUILD UP OF MATERIAL IN PAN. THEY SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN OFTEN AT THIS MILEAGE RANGE. ONE YEAR LATER AND 4 OIL CHANGES THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY I LOST ALL OIL PRESSURE. WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THE GASKET REPLACED BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE BLOCK BECAUSE THE HEAD WAS ALUMINUM AND THE BLOCK WAS STEEL AND OVER TIME AND HEATING AND COOLING THE GASKET GETS EXTRUDED AND THE ANTIFREEZE WILL GET INTO THE OIL AND SLUDGE UP THE OIL CAUSING THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP. I FEEL DODGE HAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING THE CONSUMER.

CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. DT

WHEN CO. REP SAID THE CO. WOULD NOT COMPENSATE DUE TO AGE AND MILAGE EVEN THOUGH PARTS FAILED FAR SHORT OF NORMAL SERVICE LIFE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. DT

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TSTHE ABS LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS AN ISSUE OF DESIGN OR PART FLAW. *JG

ABS LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THEN FINALLY STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE ABS UNIT IS DEFECTIVE AND CHARGED HER $750 FOR REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS RATHER UPSET BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY.

IDLE SPPED CONTROL UNIT FAILURE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT MANUAL OPERATION. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, DRIVER ALSO TURNED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH OFF AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE WAS STUCK IN OPEN POSTION. TO GAIN TEMPORARY CONTROL OF VEHICLE THROTTLE WAS RELEASED, AND CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS DISCONNECTED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF OF VEHICLE DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKING.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR VEHICLE HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD VEHICLE WILL PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT.DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. CONTACTED DEALER. ALSO, STEERING COLUMN HAD TOTALLY DISENGAGED. CAUSED BY DESIGN FLAW.

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL COME LOOSE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE MECHANICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FRONT CUSHION MOTOR AND THE FRONT OF THE SEAT FAILED, ALLOWING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH ABOUT 8 INCHES ON THE REAR SEAT PIVOT. THIS ROCKING MOTION RESULTS IN THE LIFTING OF THE DRIVER'S FOOT FROM THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL, AND A POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IF BACKING UP, ESPECIALLY WHILE ON AN INCLINE, AND THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE SEAT WILL ROCK TO THE REAR, LIFTING THE DRIVER'S FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF THE ACCELERATOR IS HIT TOO HARD IN DRIVE, THE FOOT IS LIFTED FROM THE ACCELERATOR, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.. *AK

VEHICLE STARTED LOSING TRANSMISSION FUEL, VEHICLE STALLED OUT. TRANSFER CASE HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT, WHICH WAS CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT.*AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT WITH NO MONETARY REIMBURSEMENT FROM DEALER OR DAILMER/CHRYSLER!*AK

THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND AT TIMES "FEELS" LIKE SOMETHING IS VERY LOOSE IN THIS AREA! ASKED DEALER ABOUT IT, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOISE WAS NORMAL!! IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING "WORSE" AS TIME GOES ON! THANKS. *AK

PINION SHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING REAR END TO LOCK UP. GEAR BUSTED, AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN REAR END.*AK THE GEARS BROKE AND PUT A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF REAR END. *YH

HEARING NOISE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER TOOK CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED BEARINGS REPLACED. THE BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE (3) TIMES. DODGE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE WHOLE REAR OF VEHICLE IS FAULTY. *JG

FURTHER INVESTIGATION HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM. SAFTY CONCERNS IN STEERING SYSTEM MAY PRODUCE FUTURE INJURIES. BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE COMMON TO FAILED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. FRONT BALL JOINT WERE WARPED AND RUSTED. *AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS COME ON, AND FROM TIME TO TIME LIGHT WILL STAY ON WHEN GETTING VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. SPARK PLUGS WERE MELTED AND , HEAD CYLINDER WAS CRACKED.*AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. BACK-UP LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE, BUT GO OUT ONCE FULLY ENGAGED IN REVERSE. WE HAVE NOTICED THIS ON AT LEAST ONE DURANGO BESIDES OUR OWN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING REAR END LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE LOADED ON TRUCK TO BE MOVED. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE 1998 DODGE DURANGO REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT SEIZED AND FAILED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY . I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED US TO IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE VEHICLE TO AVOID ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS IN PIECES. THE DEALER DENIED TO ABSORB THE REPAIR COST FOR THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I APPEALED TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHO DENIED THE CLAIM. I CALLED AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE TECH REP AND HE CONCLUDED IT WAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. IN MY PERSONAL OPINION I FEEL DODGE SHOULD INSPECT AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *AK

WHOLE HOUSING OF REAR END IS DEFECTIVE WHICH EATS AWAY THE BEARINGS, CAUSING REAR END TO LOCK AND STOP WHEELS FROM ROLLING. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK *SLC

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL FREEZES AND IS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS.*AK THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS MODEL. THERE HAVE BEEN FAILURES REPORTED PREVIOUSLY BY OTHER CONSUMERS. CONSUMER FEELS DODGE SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *JG

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.*JB

THE ABS NEVER WORKED SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY KEPT SAYING THAT IT WAS WORKING PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES BEING CAPTURED. RECENTLY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. EVEN WITH THE LIGHTS ON NO ERROR CODES WERE BEING REPORTED. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE. THE ABS WORKS WITH THE NEW CONTROL MODULE AND IT IS NOW OBVIOUS THAT THE ABS NEVER WORKED.*AK

SINCE BUYING THE USED 1998 DODGE DURANGO SLT IN OCTOBER OF 2001 WITH APPROXIMATELY 26000 MILES. I HAD THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE MOTOR IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH COST ME $100 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE. I NOW HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR DEFOGGER ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOW PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR IS BAD. I HAVEN'T REPLACED IT AS OF THIS TIME. ALTHOUGH THE DURANGO IS APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS OLD, IT ONLY HAD 26000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHICH MEANT THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEN OFTEN BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I BROUGHT A CAR FAX REPORT TO CONFIRM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP WITH THESE PROBLEMS WHICH IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THANKS

THERE IS A PLASTIC FLAP COVERING THE VENT IN THE DASHBOARD WHICH PREVENTS AIR OR HEAT FROM COMING OUT OF THE VENT. I'VE TRIED TO PUSH THE FLAP BACK DOWN BUT IT CONTINUES TO FLIP UP WHEN I USED THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONER.*AK

UPON A STATE SFAETY INSPECTION I WAS NOTIFIED THET BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (RIGHT SIDE) AND LOWER BALL JOINT (LEFT SIDE) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE HAS 30, 455 MILES AT THIS TIME. THE SERVICE PERSON ADVISED THAT DODGE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE ON THE 1998 AND 199 DURANGOS. MAYBE THIS JUSTIFIES A "RECALL" OF SOME SORT! T.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THEN, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IULLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. CONSUMER HAD A LACK OF BRAKES AND STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AGAIN, AND THEY STATED THAT CRANKSHAFT SHOULD NOT GO OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR HEAD INJURIES.*AK *YD

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITHOUT WARNING, SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER FROM MOVING FORWARD, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR HEAD INJURIES.*AK *YD

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISON, AND WAS HIT AT 55MPH, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, 2 OTHER PEOPLE WERE ALSO INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.*JB

FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING DOWN EXCESSIVELY FAST AND UNEVENLY DUE TO BALL JOINTS, ON TOP AND BOTTOM, BEING SHOT. *AK