CarModelProblems.com

2002 Dodge Durango Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint — runs 5.6× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
423Complaints
6Recalls
35Crashes
13Fires
38Injured
3Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (18% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint76 · 18%RecalledRecall 04V596000 · Recall 08E064000
Electrical System44 · 10.4%RecalledRecall 06V339000
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint30 · 7.1%RecalledRecall 04V596000 · Recall 08E064000
Power Train28 · 6.6%RecalledRecall 07V555000
Suspension25 · 5.9%RecalledRecall 04V596000 · Recall 08E064000
Engine And Engine Cooling23 · 5.4%RecalledRecall 06E024000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN28 · 6.6%
SUSPENSION25 · 5.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING23 · 5.4%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION20 · 4.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18 · 4.3%
SUSPENSION:FRONT17 · 4%
STEERING17 · 4%

Percentages are the share of the 423 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 04V596000 · 2004 · reported 12/21/2004

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:hub

NHTSA campaign 08E064000 · 2008 · reported 10/20/2008

IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

NHTSA campaign 07V555000 · 2007 · reported 12/04/2007

EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 06V339000 · 2006 · reported 09/07/2006

THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 06E024000 · 2006 · reported 03/15/2006

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 04V216000 · 2004 · reported 05/05/2004

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“DURING A VEHICLE STATE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC FOUND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT IN COMPLIANCE BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.”NHTSA complaint 10055285 — filed 04/01/2004 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
“WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT END. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE SQUEAK. CONSUMER…”NHTSA complaint 10061435 — filed 03/05/2004 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING THROUGH THE FROM END. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INDICATED NEED TO BE REPLACE…”NHTSA complaint 10061354 — filed 03/04/2004 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

442008162720101615201211172014271120161172018852020122025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Durango?

Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint issues are the most-reported category, cited in 76 of 423 NHTSA complaints (18%), followed by electrical system (44), suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (30), power train (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Dodge Durango have?

423 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 35 involved a crash, 13 involved a fire, and 38 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Dodge Durango have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V596000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Dodge Durango's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.