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2002 Dodge Durango Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Dodge Durango has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Shifter stuck in or slipping out of park.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Dodge Durango.

Reported to NHTSA

Shifter stuck in or slipping out of park

POWER TRAIN

33 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2020-02

“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, GEAR SHIFT IS LOCKING IN PARK. AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND TRYING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11131143
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10442900
“THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER IS SOMETIMES ABLE TO BE MOVED OUT OF 'PARK' WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10213433

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front upper ball joint and control arm failure

SUSPENSION

18 NHTSA complaints · 2006-06 → 2017-01

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE UPPER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND IMPACTED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE CAUTIOUSLY HOME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10944187
“THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10468982
“2002 DODGE DURANGO SLT 2WD: BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AFTER RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED, THE EXACT SAME NOISES BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10165467

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Flickering lights and body module faults

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 NHTSA complaints · 2006-04 → 2019-08

“DRIVING TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING, ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT STARTED FLICKERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10447210
“CENTRAL TIMER MODULE FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AT NIGHT, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, SECURITY INDICATOR AND HORN TO ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10175080
“EXTERIOR LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, WIPERS, ALARM AND FAB STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WOULD START, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317358

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Oil pressure loss and sludge-related engine failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2014-08

“THE OIL PRESSURE KEEPS GOING LOW AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS BLOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10299513
“I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE DURANGO USED WITH 60K I HAVE ACCUMULATED LESS THAN 3K FROM SEPTEMBER UNTIL JANUARY AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE ENGINE. REASON MECHANIC STATES THERE IS SLUDGE THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10150458
“SLUDGE IN ENGINE IN 2005 REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. NOW AGAIN IN 2008 SLUDGE IN ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10241974

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal travel, ABS delay and caliper seizure

SERVICE BRAKES

14 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2019-03

“I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS IN HARD STOP SITUATIONS WHERE THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE SLIDES FORWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10318549
“I WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AS I WAS EXITING TO GO INTO STREET THE BRAKES FELT VERY SOFT. AS I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH MINIMAL BRAKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10609583
“FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED DURING RUSH HOUR LEAVING WASHINGTON, DC ON A FRIDAY EVENING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10189969

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Blower motor resistor and connector melting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2008-11 → 2019-09

“I HAVE A 2002 DODGE DURANGO, HAVE REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR AND SEVERAL RESISTORS. TWO OF THE WIRES BETWEEN THE RESISTOR AND THE BLOWER KEEP MELTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10502173
“2002 DODGE DURANGO THE HEATER BLOWER WIRES STARTED TO MELT, THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR FAILED AND THE PLUG BETWEEN THE WIRES AND RESISTOR MELTED TOGETHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10249300
“THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE RESISTER AND THE WIRING HARNESS, CONTINUES TO MELT THE FIRST TWO PRONGS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10435590

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or shutdown while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

21 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2020-06

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10702511
“WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11084305
“DODGE DURANGO JUST STOPS RUNNING AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS OCCURS AT SPEEDS OF 10-60 MPH OR EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS BEING STARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10175548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2016-12

“I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME TRAVWLLING APPX 45-50 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935919
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 DODGE DURANGO WHEN I STRUCK THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO WAS SITTING IN MY LANE ( A NON-TURNING LANE) NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10234606
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BEING IN A CRASH AT 80 MPH, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10595533

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

180 crashes 1990–2024

How the 180 occupant deaths break down

122

driver deaths

58

passenger deaths

180

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

38

complaints mentioning a crash

13

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Dodge Durango reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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