10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Dodge Durango:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #1

May 212001

Durango 4WD

  • miles
A mounting bolt for power steering pump, located behind power steering pump pulley (where they cannot be seen nor serviced) became loose and detached from mounting bracket. The bolt attempted to exit between the pulley and the bracket causing the engine to lock up. Damage reulted to pulley which caused 2 strands of the serpentine belt to shred. Bolt is still behind pulley and cannot be removed without pulling the assembly off the engine and using a pulley puller to remove the bolt. I know of 3 other people with Dodge Durango's that have had the exact same thing happen. One of the three's incident happened going approx. 65 mph on an interstate highway, locking the engine up and causing them to lose control of the steering. I do believe Chrysler knows there is a problem, but their customer service depart gave me a cool response to my inquiries. When ordering a new pulley from the Dodge dealor parts department, the parts manager told me to expect delays, as there was "some sort of problem" going on and there were backlogs on that particular pulley. He also stated, that it is almost unheard of to have to replace a pulley on a power steering pump, an he also told me the people he had talked to had told them of the bolts becoming loose and trying to eject as mine has done. I think this is a manufacturer's defect that should be repaired by Chrysler Corp. And is potentially a major safety issue which could or has caused vehicle crashes or loss of control of vehicles. You may call me if you need further information.

- Little River, SC, USA