The Lemon Index2002 Dodge Durango.
The 2002 Dodge Durango is worse than average by owner complaints: 224 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 192, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 12 to 15 mpg combined. The best Dodge Durango year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 423 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Durango year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 107K miles on the car (287 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 26K–70K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 31K–119K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 50K–124K miles
Recalls 6
- suspension 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO.
- transmission & drivetrain 2007
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- electrical 2006
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- engine 2006
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.
- suspension 2004
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…
- visibility 2004
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4
- Upper ball joint extended warranty
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle under-seat fire2006
- ClosedFire under the driver's seat2006
- ClosedUpper ball joint separation2003–2005
- ClosedFront susp. upper ball joint failure2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–5350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer states that when trying to apply the brakes the brake will pulsate causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified. Ts
2002 Dodge Durango owner · NHTSA complaint 8023671
More owner reports
When the brakes were applied, the pedal traveled to the floor, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance.
NHTSA complaint 10015845
Consumer stated that while driving and without warning ball joints are wearing. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 10032005
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Dodge Durango reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 192; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Durango year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Durango problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (55%), brakes (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Durango have?
6 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge Durango get?
12 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 107,000 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 287 complaints.
Does the 2002 Dodge Durango have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Dodge Durango cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $5350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Dodge Durango have?
4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Durango year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2022 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works