2002 Dodge Durango Reliability
The 2002 Dodge Durango has 434 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about suspension and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Durango model years (2000–2004), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Durango's typical year, while the 2004 drew 1,115 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
434
NHTSA owner complaints
6
Recall campaigns
38
Complaints citing a crash
13
Complaints citing a fire
2002 Dodge Durango complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 model year, filed between 2002 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 144 | 33% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 73 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 66 | 15% |
| Engine & cooling | 50 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 49 | 11% |
| Steering | 28 | 6% |
| Air bags | 18 | 4% |
| Visibility / wipers | 16 | 4% |
2002 Dodge Durango recalls
6 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2002 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V216000 | May 5, 2004 | Visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer | On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper module motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability. |
| 04V596000 | Dec 21, 2004 | Suspension — front / control arm / upper ball joint | On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel drive (4x4), if moisture leaks into the front suspension upper ball joint, evacuation of the lubricant and corrosion of the joint may cause the joint to wear over an extended period… |
| 06E024000 | Mar 15, 2006 | Engine & cooling | 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 (p/nos. P5007069 and p5007070). All kits… |
| 06V339000 | Sep 7, 2006 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 07V555000 | Dec 4, 2007 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission / lever and linkage / column shift | 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"… |
| 08E064000 | Oct 20, 2008 | Suspension — front / hub | 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… |
How the 2002 compares with nearby Durango years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Durango analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,097 | 4 | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2001 | 665 | 7 | Suspension | Caution |
| 2002 (this page) | 434 | 6 | Suspension | Solid |
| 2003 | 339 | 6 | Suspension | Solid |
| 2004 | 1,115 | 9 | Engine | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2002 Dodge Durango
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 6 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2002 Dodge Durango can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2002 Dodge Durango reliability FAQ
Is the 2002 Dodge Durango reliable?
The 2002 Dodge Durango has 434 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about suspension and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Durango model years (2000–2004), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Durango's typical year, while the 2004 drew 1,115 complaints.
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Durango problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Durango are suspension (144), powertrain / transmission (73), service brakes (66), engine & cooling (50). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2002 Dodge Durango have recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2002 Dodge Durango, including 04V216000 (visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer) and 04V596000 (suspension — front / control arm / upper ball joint). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2002 Dodge Durango compare with the 2001 and 2003 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2001 has 665 complaints and 7 recalls (caution); the 2003 has 339 complaints and 6 recalls (solid). The 2002 has 434 complaints and 6 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2002 Dodge Durango?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Dodge Durango research
Other Dodge Durango model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2002 Durango, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.