1998 Dodge Durango Transmission Problems

Your Durango's engine wouldn't accelerate properly while driving at low speed — even pressing the gas pedal all the way down wouldn't make it go faster than 30 mph. This could indicate a fuel delivery, ignition timing, or throttle control problem that needs diagnostic testing to identify the root cause.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MANUAL SHIFTER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOR A TUNE UP AND CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 71,109.

TL* - ON 3/13/06 THE CONTACT TOOK 1998 DODGE DURANGO TO COTTMAN TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING INTO FIRST GEAR. AT THAT TIME, COTTMAN REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. ON 3/31/06 THE CONTACT TOOK IT BACK TO COTTMAN FOR THE SAME REASON, AND COTTMAN STATED THAT THEY WOULD REBUILD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. WHEN CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE IT WAS MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, AND COTTMAN TOLD HIM TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW DAYS CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SAME SQUEAKING NOISE, SO COTTMAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. AT WHICH POINT THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SAME NOISE, HE TOOK VEHICLE TO AT PRO TRANSMISSION AND THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE DAMAGE WAS PROBABLY INTERNAL BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON 6/16/06 CONTACT TOOK IT BACK TO COTTMAN, AND COTTMAN STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION; AFTER CONTACT PICKED IT UP HE CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SAME SQUEAKING NOISE, SO CONTACT BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO COTTMAN ON 12/11/06. COTTMAN ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS POURING FLUID FROM THE PUMP. CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO COTTMAN. *AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SALES DEALER FOR SERVICE, WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER SENT THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE KNOCKING CONTINUED EACH TIME AFTER 5 MORE VISITS TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP, SO THE SALES DEALER SENT THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE KNOCKING CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

HAD REAR REBUILT IN 2003 BY DEALER.BACK IN 12/15/05 REAR WENT AGAIN.TALKED TO MECHANIC HE SAID DODGE KNOWS ABOUT REARS BEING BAD.DUE TO TIGHT TOLERANCES IN GEARS.

WE WERE JUST DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT (A COUPLE OF JERKS AND THEN NO ACCELERATION ABILITY). WE WERE ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI WHO ALMOST RAN INTO US WHEN WE SUDDENLY AND DRASTICALLY SLOWED AND HADN'T BRAKED AND HE COULDN'T MOVE TO ANOTHER LANE BECAUSE OF OTHER TRUCKS IN THAT LANE. OUR 98 GRAND CARAVAN HAS ONLY 79K MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, (THOUGH I THINK THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED RATHER THAN REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1000 AND JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS PAST THE YEAR WARRANTY). NOW WE FIND THAT IT WILL BE $3000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT THE DODGE DEALER. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE (ONCE WHEN THE FIRST TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS MIS-DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY BATTERY). ALL WORK HAS BEEN OR IS BEING DONE BY THE DODGE DEALER. NOW I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL. WHY ISN'T DODGE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INSTEAD OF GOUGING THE PUBLIC (NOT TO MENTION PUTTING US IN DANGER)?*JB

TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO A BURNED TRANSMISSION. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED AT 30000 MILES THEN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 60000 MILES. *NM

1998 DOGE DURANGO - 60000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SINCE PURCHASE IN 1999. *AK

MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BROKE AND NEARLY FELL OFF. THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED IT SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, PROBABLY A DEFECT. IT IS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO.*AK

I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ON ITS OWN AND THE 4X4 SELECTOR WOULD SLIP AND MAKE AN AWFUL NOISE WHEN YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. ON 31 JANUARY 2004, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND LEFT MY 2-TODDLERS AND I STRANDED APPROXIMATELY 2-HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. IT IS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. IT IS IRONIC THAT AN OLDER GENTLEMEN HAD ASKED ME IF I HAD PROBLEMS A MONTH EARLIER WITH MY TRANSMISSION. WHEN I SPOKE WITH A COUPLE REPAIR SHOPS (EVEN A TECHNICIAN AT HILIKELLY DODGE IN DAPHNE, AL), ALL OF THEM STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE TRANSMISSIONS. *JB

DEFECTIVE REAR-END OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE RING AND PINION OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. DODGE DURANGO 1998. *AK

VEHICLE WAS MAKING HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. TRUCK ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT (APRIL 2003) USED. I WAS ASSURED BY WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED CAR DEALER (KOEPPEL OF NEW YORK) THAT VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. 6 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE NEED TO HAVE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO BE REPLACED. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING FLUID AND REAR WAS CAUSING HIGH PITCH NOISE. *LA

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR. TOOK TO DODGE DEALERSHIP. NEEDS COMPLETE REAR END REBUILD. $1300-$1500 ESTIMATE. ONLY 63K MILES. APPARENTLY IT'S A DESIGN DEFECT BY DODGE.

MY 1998 DURANGO DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO METAL FLAKING OFF FROM CORROSION. CAR HAS ONLY 53000 MILES AND IS PARKED ON BLACKTOP DRIVEWAY AND IS NOT USED FOR PLOWING OR OFF-ROAD ACTIVITY. USED FOR TRAVEL IN NORTHEAST WINTER CLIMATE. *PH

1998 DODGE DURANGO...TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD GEAR. TACHOMETER LURCHES FORWARD WITH NO POWER TO THE AXLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY ATTEMPTING TO MERGE OR PASS. BEING THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS, THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, REGARDLESS OF COST. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I'VE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

AT 85000 MILES I STARTED HAVING SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE TACH READS 2500 RPM. THIS CAUSES A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS SENDING A FAULT CODE TO THE COMPUTER. ALSO THERE ARE MANY MANY TIME THAT THE CAR BOGS DOWN WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN WILL FINALLY KICK INTO GEAR HOWEVER PASSING SPEED IS VERY VERY POOR. I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD IT IS GOING TO COST WELL OVER 1500.00 TO REPAIR WHICH IS WHY I HAVE YET TO HAVE IT DONE BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY I CANNOT AFFORD THAT RIGHT NOW.THAT IS HOW I FOUND OUT ABNOUT THIS COMPLAINT SERVICE BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT 98 DURANGOS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS BUILT AND THE MORE RESEARCH THAT I DO ON IT THE MORE I DISCOVER THAT THERE IS TRUTH TO THAT STATEMENT. THERE IS NO WAY THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD GO OUT THAT QUICKLY. I HAVE NEVER USED THIS VEHICLE TO TOW ANYTHING AND IT HAS JUST BEEN USED TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND OTHER NORMAL FAMILY ERRANDS. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT OFF ROAD AND THEREFORE I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS TRANSMISSION UIS ACTING SO FLAKY. I AM ALSO NOW GETTING SOME VERY WIERD GRINDING NOISES WHEN I BACK UP...THIS IS A NEW SOUND AND WILL BE HAVING THIS LOOKED AT NEXT. IT SEEMS AS IF THIS CAR IS JUST DETERIORATING TOO QUICKLY. AFTER ALL I AM NOT EVEN AT 100K YET...ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 65000, COSTING $2300 TO REPLACE (I WAS UNEMPLOYED AT THE TIME TOO). A CHRYSLER A-500 TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED WITH COMPLETE PUMP ASSEMBLY, TORQUE CONVERTER (WHICH HAD PIECES OF METAL RATTLING AROUND INSIDE OF IT) VALUE BODY, A COMPLETE REBUILD. THIS VEHICLE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING AND ALWAYS MAINTAINED. NOTIFIED DODGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPLIED, SORRY BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT IT. EVEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD REIMBURSE FOR THE PARTS ONLY AND THEY JUST SAID SORRY. SPOKE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY WERE VERY KNOWLEDGABLE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH DODGE TRANSMISSIONS. WILL BE CHECKING THE BALL-JOINTS OUT NOW AFTER THE LATEST REPORTS.*AK

I HAD A COMPLETE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT JUST OVER 60,000 MILES. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY ACTED AS IF IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. COST ME $2000 DOLLARS FOR A COMPLETE REBUILD. THEN AFTER ONE MONTH OF HAVING TRANSMISSION REDONE THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT AND COST ME ANOTHER $800 DOLLARS. I COMPLAINED AGAIN AND AGAIN WAS TREATED AS IF IT WERE MY FAULT. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT WORKS FOR A LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME THAT DODGE DOES KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ARE DENYING IT EXISTS BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF RECALLS THAT WOULD RESULT. HE SAID THEY DID A STUDY AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE INSTALLED FROM '97 UNTIL 2000 WERE TO SMALL TO HANDLE THE PAYLOAD OF THE DURANGO. THEY HAVE SINCE FIXED THAT PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ADMIT TO EARLIER DAMAGES TO THE EARLIER MODELS. BY THE WAY, DODGE ONLY CHARGES THE DEALERS $400 DOLLARS FOR THE REBUILD KITS. *PH

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF OF VEHICLE. *PH

UPPER AND LOWER BALLJOINTS AND FRONT TIE ROD ENDS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO BEING TOTALLY WORN OUT AND FRONT TIRES WHERE WORN BALD ON THE INSIDE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR IS ALSO NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASE, SITS IN BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE WHILE IN DRIVE POSITION, TRANSMISSION WILL HANG IN FIRST GEAR OR SLIP WHEN ACCELARATING CAUSING HIGH RPMS, HAVE MAINLY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHEN VEHICLE IS LOW ON GAS, AS STRANGE AS THAT MAY BE. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE LEAKING A CLEAR LIQUID ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WHICH APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION.

ALL FOUR POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT IN 2001. TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT A HIGHER RPM. IT DOES NOT SHIFT UNTIL 3800 TO 4500. THIS ACCURED AT 58000 MILES JUNE 4.

WE HAD NOTICED THAT THE TRANMISSION WAS ACTING VERY SLUGGISH. DESPITE HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED, OUR LOCAL SHOP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. WHILE ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA, JUST OUTSIDE OF BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR, DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSFER CASE BLEW UP AND BOTH DRIVESHAFTS BROKE. WE WERE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR HAVING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT US, DESPITE THE BLACK COUD OF TRANSFER CASE FLUID TRAILING BEHIND US. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED EXTENSIVE SERVICE - TO THE TUNE OF $ 2,600.00. WE HAD 95,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND WERE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BY CHRYSLER. IN FACT, NOT EVEN AN OFFER TO ASSIST US WITH THE RENTAL CARS WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE.

TRANSMISSION: I BOUGHT A 1998 DURANGO IN 2001 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS HORRIBLY AND MAY TIMES THE TRUCK WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL ONCE I REACH 30 MPH AND THE RPMS RED LINE ALMOST EVERY TIME. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT AND I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WILL BE A MINIMUM OF 2,000.00. NO TRANSMISSIONS COULD BE FOUND AT JUNK YARDS BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BAD TRANSMISSIONS. *NLM

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OR DOUBLE SHIFTS AS YOU ARE LEAVING ANY STOPPED POSITION. WHILE AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND YOU PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR THE TRANSMISSION WILL WORK GREAT. BUT THEN WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AND PROCEED AT A NORMAL PACE THE TRANS JUST SLIPS OR DOUBLE SHIFTS AND JERKS YOU AROUND. THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT ON OTHER SITES THAT CHRYSLER HAS BOUGHT BACK SOME OF THE DURANGO'S. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 1998 MODEL. 5.2 AUTOMATIC 4X4.

1998 DODGE DURANGO TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, CAUSING RPM TO FLY PAST 3500, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ENTER HIGHWAYS, 3 TIMES I NEARLY HAD A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE TRUCK WILL NOT ACCELERATE INTO 3RD GEAR. THE DURANGO TRANSMISSION IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG OWNERS, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.*JB

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60,000 MILES. SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO FAILURE WERE HESITATION SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN TRUCK WAS INITIALLY STARTED. *NLM

1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH ONLY 59200 MILES ON IT WHICH NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. (HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE OVER DRIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS BAD) THIS, FORTUNATELY, HAS NOT CAUSED ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT BUT AFTER HEARING ALL THE HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE DURANGO'S, MY WIFE AND I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THE NEVER ENDING PROBLEMS WITH THESE TRUCKS - BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! *JB

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

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

VEHICLE STARTED LOSING TRANSMISSION FUEL, VEHICLE STALLED OUT. TRANSFER CASE HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT, WHICH WAS CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT.*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 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, AT FIRST CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES, THEN DISCOVERED IT WAS NOT THE BRAKES, BUT THE DRIVESHAFT, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAD BEEN HAVING A LOT OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF REAR END LOCKED UP. *AK CHRYSLER WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIT WITH THE REPAIRS.*SLC

WHILE DRIVING IN VERY COLD WEATHER, TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES IN 3 YEARS. DEALER DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY. CURRENTLY, WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, DEALER WANTED TO REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD WHINING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE DURANGO. AFTER VERIFYING THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECT AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE 4WD WAS NOT ENGAGED, THE WHINING SOUND BECAME LOUDER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO A DEALER IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX (A SUBURB OF FORT WORTH). THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS SURE THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND ALL WOULD BE FINE. AFTER SERVICING THE DIFFERENTIAL THE SERVICE ADVISOR CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE "RING AND PINON SET, AND CUP AND CONES" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ( THIS IS THE RING AND PINON GEAR, THE PINON SEAL, AND THE SIDE BEARING THAT SUPPORT THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE). THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS $1323.08. I REMINDED THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT A 1998 DODGE DURANGO WITH 47333 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE I BELIEVE THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HE COULD DO AND HE SUGGESTED I CALL DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE. AFTER SPEAKING TO DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE THREE TIMES, THEY "REVIEWED" MY SITUATION. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY, DODGE OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST AS A "GOOD WILL GESTURE". IN THE END, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPAIRED AT A COST TO ME OF $502.28. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $1004.56 AND WITH DODGE'S "GOOD WILL GESTURE" THE REPAIR COST ME OUT OF POCKET $502.28. HOWEVER, AFTER REVIEWING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE I FEEL MORE STRONGLY THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF THIS VECHICLE.

A LOUD HOWLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE BEARINGS AND POSSIBLY DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION WERE BAD. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE THIS WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP DEFECT OBVIOUS BY THE LOW (22,000) MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THAT LOOKS LIKE THE DAY IT CAME OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF-ROAD. I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD SINCE THE VEHICLE IS 9 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. I STRONGLY DISAGREE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED IN THIS SECTION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY AN EXPERT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT INVOLVING THE RING AND PINION NOT BEING CAPABLE OF HANDLE THE FORCES IMPOSED BY THE DRIVETRAIN OF THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED AT $1500 - $2000. CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD STEP FORWARD AND ADMIT A DESIGN FLAW EXISTS. I WILL FIGHT THIS IN COURT IF I HAVE TO. DODGE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR NOT FESSING UP TO THIS. *AK

TRANSMISSION HESITATES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR THE VEHICLE SURGES. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSON GIVES A CLUNK NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. WAS TOLD FROM DEALER THE MINIMUM REPAIR WOULD COST $1400-$1500 BUT COULD BE MORE. I OPTED FOR A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. I WAS SHOWN A COMPLETE SERVICE AND TECHNICAL BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR FOR DODGE VEHICLES. THE LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY SERVICE OWNER HAD JUST GOTTEN BACK FROM A TRAINING SEMINAR ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS REALLY SOUNDED ODD, AS THE DEALER WHEN ASKED BY ME IF THERE WAS A CLASS PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSIONS DENIED ANY. THEN WHY WOULD THEY PRINT MANUALS AND TRAIN PERSONNEL FOR PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT NORMALLY OCCUR. THE LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY PERFORMED HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TESTING AND DETERMINED ALL PRESSURE PARAMETERS WERE BEING MET. THEN CHANGED ALL TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO A HIGHER VISCOSITY. SINCE THIS WAS DONE, I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY SHIFTING HESITATION OR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WHEN PRESSURED WOULD ONLY OFFER 10% OFF THE REPAIR COSTS. DODGE REGIONAL REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. I HAVE PERSONALLY TALKED TO 4 INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN DODGES AND HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE, CAR WAS INOPERABLE, CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RING AND PINION GAR HAD CRACKED, AND REAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED ON I-75 NEAR WEST BRANCH MICHIGAN WITH PARTS FLYING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. LOST POWER AND PARTS BLEW OUT DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. DURANGO ALMOST FLIPPED OVER GOING AT THIS SPEED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC GOING SOUTHBOUND AND AS I FISHTAILED FORM LANE TO LANE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WITH INCIDENCE. I FELT THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I STILL HAVE THE DAMAGED TRANSFER CASE THAT SHOWS HOW IT EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CRYSLER COULD NOT HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT PARTS FAIL SO LIVE WITH IT.*AK

A THREE YEAR OLD SON CLIMBED INTO VEHICLE AND SHIFTED GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND AGAIN FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WITHOUT EVER APPLYING BRAKES. THEN, SHIFTED AGAIN INTO FORWARD WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL. CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WANTED TO ALSO REPAIR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL A LOUD NOISE.

MY WIFE PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO WALK INTO A STORE AND THE CAR JUMPED INTO REVERSE, MOVING QUICKLY TOWARD A BUSY STREET WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT. SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND DIVE IN, HITTING THE BRAKES IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. HER ONLY INJURY WAS A BRUISE ON HER HEAD FROM HITTING THE DOOR FRAME, BUT HAD SHE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECOVER IN TIME THE CAR CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE INDICATOR (TELLING WHAT GEAR I AM IN) IN THE PAST, BUT THE DEALER DISMISSED ALL CLAIMS OF DEFECT. WHEN I HEARD OF THE GRAND CHEROKEE PROBE I REALIZED THERE WAS SOMEHTING I COULD DO TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE OTHERS DO AS WELL.*AK

WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING OR BRAKING TO A STOP THERE IS A SHIMMYING IN THE FRONT END TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED GOT ALIGNMENT PROBLEM STILL THERE WAS TOLD I HAD A BUSTED BELT WENT OUT AND PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN WAS TOLD HAD DEFECTIVE U-JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT HAS TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT PROBABLY IS NOT JUST MY DURANGO. *AK

VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ; THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, IT WAS CLANKING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS UP. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IT MAKES THE VEHICLE FEEL AS THOUGH THE REAR END IS LOOSE ON THE ROAD AS A LOW TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TIGHT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE POWER TO FORCE IT THROUGH THE TURN. THE UNIT WILL RELEASE WITH A SUDDEN BANG THAT WOULD MAKE YOU THINK THE DRIVETRAIN GAVE WAY. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACHIEVE ITS TURNING RADIUS UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, TAKING THE DRIVER BY SURPRISE WHEN TRYING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC.

CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION ACTS UP, DEALER STATED THE SYNCHRONIZERS WERE BURNING OUT, HOWEVER EVEN AFTER DEALER REPAIRS THE PROBLEM, TRANSMISSION ACTS UP AGAIN, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT VEHICLE WOULD REV UP AND SIT STILL. *SLC

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 52,000 MILES. TOTAL REBUILD COSTING $2,084.00. *AK

1)INITIALLY HEARD A "CLUNK" FROM RIGHT REAR EVERY TIME WE'D HIT A BUMP. TURNED OUT TO BE NOT A BROKEN SHOCK ABSORBER, NOR THE BOLT WHICH ATTACHES THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO THE FRAME, BUT THE ACTUAL FRAME PIECE TO WHICH THE BOLT/ABSORBER ASSEMBLY ATTACHES. 2)WHILE OBSERVING PROBLEM 1, NOTICED OIL/DIRT "LEAK" ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE.

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK W/EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. WHEN PUTTING BOAT ON TRAILER TRANSFER CASE POPPED INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING CAR TO ROLL INTO WATER. TRANSFER CASE HAD POPPED INTO N BEFORE, BUT WAS NOT REPEATABLE.

USUALLY DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPPED ABOUT 60 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL KEEP SLIPPING. CONSUMER HAS BEEN AT DEALER 3 TIMES, AND CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT IT WAS IN PARK. VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND STARTED TO BACK UP. CONSUMER JUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE BRAKES ON.*AK

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINON AND REAR AXLE BEARING AT CONSUMER'S COST. ALSO, DEALER NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE BEARINGS WERE MISSING WHEN REMOVED. *AK *ML

REPORTING 2-YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR ( FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD ). VEHICLE RAN INTO AN OFFICE BUILDING WALL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

VEHICLE CAN BE PLACED IN GEAR FROM PARK WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. THIS SITUATION COULD ALLOW UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENT INJURY. *AK

REAR END NOISE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT/ BEARINGS/ PINION. MJS

SHIFT INDICATOR REPLACED, MISALIGNED. MJS

THERE IS NO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM IN THE 1998 DURANGO. A CHILD MOVED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. IT CAUSED A CRASH. *AK

VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR BY A TWO- YEAR OLD CHILD WHILE PARKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO MOVED UNLESS FOOT WAS PRESSED ON BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

SPEEDOMETER FAILED.

DEALER REPLACED VEHICLES PRESSURE GOVERNOR FOR TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO LOW FLUID LEVEL. *YC

TRANSMISSION OUT PUT SHAFT BEARING FAILED. YH

TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

THE END KNOB ON THE SHIFT LEVER OF THE TRANSMISSION BECAME LOOSE AND CAN EASILY BE REMOVED. MJS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR STARTING/PARKING AND THEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE GOES FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR WITHOUT LETTING DRIVER TOUCH THE BRAKE OR PEDAL. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A PROBLEM WITHIN THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY. 60MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. HAD REAR WINDOWS DOWN & FRONT WINDOWS UP. MECHANIC SAID DRIVESHAFT WAS CAUSING PROBLEM & VEHICLE WAS WORKING LIKE IT WAS MADE. *AK

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILS TO DISENGAGE WHEN GOING FROM 4TH WHEEL FULL TIME TO 2ND WHEEL DRIVE, DRIVE TRAIN TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM.

THE DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE GEARS TO SLIP, RESULTING IN DECREASED SPEED WHILE DRIVING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

CHILD ACCIDENTALLY MOVED GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF PARK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A LAKE.

WHILE DRIVINGTHE VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL, ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP AND WOULD NOT FIND THE HIGHER GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND WAS UNABLE TO PASS THE OTHER VEHICLES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND STATED IT WAS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM

TRANSMISSION SLIPS ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO LACK OF ACCELERATION.

THE OVERDRIVE FAILED AT 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP/FAILED AT 30 MPH AND VEHICLE SKIPPED TO A STOP.