2002 Dodge Durango problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (73) · Electrical System (28) · Suspension (23)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Durango model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
287 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (51)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100645 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Showing the 6 most recent of 51 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-23 · Suspension“i have had my front wheel hub replaced 12 times yet my car isn't part of any recall …”
2025-01-03 · Suspension“the hub on my 02 durango has had to be replaced 8 times since i bought it in 2018 but everyone says my car isn't part of recall.…”
2021-05-29 · Vehicle Speed Control“while pulling a travel trailer i got onto the freeway. as i have been pulling the trailer for a while now with this vehicle my comfort speed is around 45mph but will push up to 50mph maybe 55mph at the most. anyways while entering the freeway i accelerated and as i got ready to merge i let my foot off the gas but the peddle stayed down and the vehi…”
2020-11-26 · Engine · 180,000 mi · 🔥 fire“when driving to the store i shut vehicle off and went in . when i came out i cranked it over and it startered and then caught on fire by firewall and was ingolfed in flames…”
2020-06-02 · Engine · 207,239 mi“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. *tr…”
2020-02-16 · Steering · 102,000 mi“the steering is very loose. has a lot of play in it. have replaced tie rod ends. at this time we can not seem to find out what is causing it.…”
2020-02-16 · Unknown Or Other · 102,000 mi“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 coul…”
2019-12-13 · Structure · 92,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge durango. the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the spare tire holder was corroded, which caused the spare tire to detach from the holder. the failure occurred without warning. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the dealer and manufacturer were not notified. the failure mileage was approximately…”
2019-11-29 · Service Brakes · 125,000 mi“while driving, no matter what speed the vehicle starts to sputter, loses power and will stall. i was low on gas, and took my car to a local gas station for fuel. after putting $10 in my car was running extremely rough. i was doing about 20 mph, when it just shut off. brakes got real hard. after re starting the vehicle all seemed normal. then, i dro…”
2019-09-20 · Electrical System · 114,365 mi“my vin tag: (xxxx) i replaced blower motor, resistor, and plug multiple times on my 2002 dodge durango and it keeps melting/burning up. if i leave it on low or medium fan setting eventually it will catch fire, i'm finally coming to you to see if you can help. owners of the 1998-2007 dodge durango's & dakota's all have this problem many will have f…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.