NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 434 owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve suspension (144) and power train (73). The EPA rates it 12–15 mpg combined.
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Durango model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 2,012 |
| 2000 | 1,097 |
| 2001 | 665 |
| 2002 | 434 |
| 2003 | 339 |
| 2004 | 1,115 |
| 2005 | 1,567 |
| 2006 | 852 |
| 2007 | 275 |
| 2008 | 97 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2011 | 800 |
| 2012 | 640 |
| 2013 | 640 |
| 2014 | 786 |
| 2015 | 505 |
| 2016 | 161 |
| 2017 | 214 |
| 2018 | 234 |
| 2019 | 145 |
| 2020 | 56 |
| 2021 | 208 |
| 2022 | 61 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 15 |
“THE HUB UNIT BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE STEERING WAS OFF. THERE WAS A POUND CLANKING NOISE RIGHT AFTER I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THEN IT BROKE.”
“WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES I TRIED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE ENGINE STARTED AND I CONTINUED ON MY WAY.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durango 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Durango 2WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Durango 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Durango 4WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Durango 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | $4,800 | 684 |
| Durango 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,200 | 741 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 434 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (144), power train (73), engine and engine cooling (50). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Dodge Durango at 12–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).