Is the 2002 Dodge Durango a bad year?
423 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 71, 5.5× a quiet Durango year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 5.5× the complaints of a quiet Durango year, spread over 35k–120k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Durango owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 84,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 71 (17%) | 35k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 51 (12%) | 57k–129k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 48 (11%) | 55k–124k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 28 (7%) | 64k–117k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 16 (4%) | 40k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (4%) | 36k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 11 (3%) | 30k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (2%) | 68k–126k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (1%) | 40k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 144 (34%) | 28k–72k miles · mostly behind | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 65 (15%) | 20k–53k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Tires | 8 (2%) | 26k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 84,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 423 complaints: 35 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 23 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Beginning in april 2012 it was extremely hard to get gear shift out of park you had to attempt this several times this occurred every so often there was no significant routine.
Transmission and power train broke. Pieces of it were later found on the road. Transmission melted and caught fire, and later the whole vehicle was engulfed in flames and smoke.
2002 Dodge durango. Vehicle mileage 34,000. Front passenger side CV joint noise and shims. The driver side CV joint had the same problem and was replaced at around 27,000 miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 84,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Dodge Durango: 6
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. Improper seating of the wheel can result in excessive vibration, brake rotor noise, difficulty removing the wheel after installation and operation of the vehicle, and possibly wheel-end separation during vehicle operation.
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). Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
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. This may allow development of a high resistive short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
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). A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
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 of time. Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
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. Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 15
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Dodge Durango. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Vehicle under-seat fire
Fire under the driver's seat
Upper ball joint separation
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2001 Durango: 665 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2003 Durango: 338 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Durango year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Durango years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Dodge Durango a bad year?
423 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 71, 5.5× a quiet Durango year. At 84,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 5.5× the complaints of a quiet Durango year, spread over 35k–120k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Durango?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (71), engine (51), electrical system (48), steering (28), air bags (16). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 35k–120k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Durango have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 08E064000), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 07V-555), Electrical system (NHTSA 06V-339), Engine (NHTSA 06E024000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.