1998 Dodge Durango: common problems and reliability

The 1998 Dodge Durango has 1021 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and power train. Owners most often flag water pump failure — a known issue on hemi v8 engines. frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 1998 model year

1,021
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
54
Crash reports
12
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Dodge Durango vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

suspension
546
power train
106
service brakes
95
steering
91
hydraulic
87

Recalls affecting the 1998 Durango

service brakes, hydraulic

Campaign 06E022000

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYB…

engine and engine cooling

Campaign 06E024000

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (…

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 99V341000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT AN UNDERBODY CROSSMEMBER EVENTUALLY WEARING A HOLE IN THE TUBE.

fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting

Campaign 99V342000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK STRAP CAN SEPARATE DUE TO FATIGUE DURING OPERATION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TANK WILL BE UNSUPPORTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FUEL LEAK.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed but leans positive, with a clear generational divide. Long-term owner reports for the third generation (post-2011) generally describe it as a reliable, powerful, and practical family hauler when properly maintained. The V8 Hemi engines and t

  • Water pump failure — A known issue on Hemi V8 engines. Frequency: recurrent.
  • LED headlight/DRL failure — Complete assembly replacement required at high cost ($1,600-$2,300 USD); very common, with some owners noting water ingress in tail lights as a related issue. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Exhaust manifold bolt failure — Broken bolts on Hemi V8 engines causing exhaust leaks. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Infotainment system software bugs — Glitches, freezes, and connectivity issues in the updated Uconnect system for 2021+ models, requiring multiple dealer visits. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Fuel pump relay failure — A known issue in earlier third-generation models (subject to recall), causing a no-start condition. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Durango.

Typical used price

Used Durango listings typically run $21,495–$43,295 across 2016 to 2026 model years.

Other Durango model years

2021 Durango2018 Durango2014 Durango2007 Durango2006 Durango2004 Durango2000 Durango
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