19 of the
1,553 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Durango are about the
lighting — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
76,497 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION LINES WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CEILING LIGHT INSIDE THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY TURN ON. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A BANGING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10822477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 241,000 milesAuburn, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 241,000.
NHTSA complaint #10692053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,251 milesWashougal, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHT SWITCH, WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM THIS RESULTS IN NO LIGHTS AT ALL. DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10282255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesFlower Mound, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
I OWN A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY FOR FAILURE TO OPERATE PROPERLY, IE: THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY HOWEVER WITH SLIGHT INWARD PRESSURE ON THE SWITCH, THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE SWITCH WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I THINK THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THIS SWITCH BECAUSE OF RECURRING FAILURES, AND SINCE IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE BY DECREE OF THE STATE, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE EXAMINED NATIONWIDE FOR RECALL CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10142339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesNorridge, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN MARCH OF 1998. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 3 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS EXCELLENT UNTIL ABOUT 52,000 MILES. 1ST REPAIR, WATER PUMP. AT ABOUT 56,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT ABOUT 61,000 HEATER CORE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. AT 77,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD AGAIN. AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO STIFFEN UP AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION. DURANGOS DO NOT HAVE RACK AND PINIONS, THEY HAVE GEAR BOXES. AT ABOUT 94,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT 106,000 TRASNMISSION REBUILD AND INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER THIS TIME AROUND ALONG WITH AN AFTERMARKET TRANSMISSION GAUGE WHICH TELLS ME THE TEMP OF THE TRANS(PRICE WAS $125.00 FOR GAUGE AND WIRING). CALLED DODGE WAS LIKE TALKING TO MY DOG, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I SWORE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THAT THE DAY I BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER IS THE DAY I EAT S**T!!! DODGE CARS AND TRUCKS SUCK, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CRAP AND I HAD TO SPEND MONEY $$$ OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR REPAIRS ALONE ALMOST $9,500.00, OUT OF WHICH CHRYSLER KEPT SAYING ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. YOU KNOW WHEN ITS THEIR PROBLEM, WHEN THEY SCREW WITH SOMEONE WHO ISN'T JUST JOE SCHMOE WALKING IN TO BUY A CAR. SOMEONE WITH A DEGREE IN LAW SO THAT THEY CAN ROYALLY GE SMACKED IN THE FACE AND HELP ALL THE OTHER UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO ARE STUCK WITH DODGE SUCKS (TRUCKS). WHOEVER WANTS TO BUY A DODGE, BE PREPARED FOR A RUDE AWAKENING. THEY ARE GOING TO RAPE YOU!
NHTSA complaint #10090677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,995 milesChesterfield, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE ACQUIRED IN JULY OF 2004. ALL COMPONENT SYSTEM FAILURES LISTED HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THAT TIMEFRAME. ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO TWO (2) FREEZE PLUGS THAT FAILED BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING. REVERSE LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTION AND CAUSE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. FRONT TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AS WERE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR FACILITY REQUIRING UPPER BALL JOINT AND TIE-ROD END REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10072937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOW BEAMS GO OUT WHEN HIGH BEAMS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS CREATED ZERO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK RURAL ROAD. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10008321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynn, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER VIEW DURING NIGHTTIME. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Grove, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. BACK-UP LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE, BUT GO OUT ONCE FULLY ENGAGED IN REVERSE. WE HAVE NOTICED THIS ON AT LEAST ONE DURANGO BESIDES OUR OWN.
NHTSA complaint #762373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILS TO MAKE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON.
NHTSA complaint #752889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vermont, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND STAYED ON. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT CORRECTLY. *AK THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS TO 100MPH AND FALLS TO 0 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THE OVERDRIVE HARNESS IS STUCK. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE, THE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY MODULE. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE, THE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY MODULE. THE REAR SEAT WOULDN'T FOLD UP. THE CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA. THE RIGHT REAR PANEL CAME LOOSE. MOTOR OIL WAS FOUND IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #869146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bluefield, WV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STARTED IDLING AND CUT OFF. PULLED OVER AND SAT FOR AWHILE TO COOL OFF, THEN SHIFT INDICATOR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. WENT TO PUT FOG LIGHTS, AND THEY FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. FOG LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED THREE TIMES, BATTERY AND THROTTLE BODY ALSO REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #858323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOW BEAMS WOULD GO OUT WHENEVER HIGH BEAMS WERE ACTIVATED. THIS AFFECTED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IN A DARK AREA/ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #857256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seal Beach, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH PULLED OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. MJS
NHTSA complaint #607598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Crescen, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THE SWITCH WAS BAD. YH
NHTSA complaint #607683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valencia, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEAD LIGHT SWITCH KNOB FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #609159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seal Beach, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHT SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.