1998 Dodge Durango Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks. Sound deadener material inside the steering wheel could become detached from the cover and housing. Note: the ram pickup trucks were built at the warren assembly plant ("s" in the 11th vin position) from may 16, 2000 through october 23, 2000; st. Louis north assembly plant ("j" in the 11th vin position) from may 19, 2000 through october 23, 2000; lago alberto assembly plant ("m" in the 11th vin position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000; and saltillo assembly plant ("g" in the 11th vin position) from may 23, 2000 through october 23, 2000. Important: vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997-2000 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.

Risk: When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled, and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.

Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly. Owner notification began june 18, 2001. Also some 1997-200 model year vehicles that, according to warranty records, have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, will also be included in this campaign. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The rear brake tube can contact an underbody crossmember eventually wearing a hole in the tube.

Risk: If the tube were perforated, there would be a reduction in braking from the rear wheels, increasing stopping distances.

Fix: Dealers will install a rubber isolator on all vehicles that do not indicate tube contact. Vehicles that show contact and have less than 45,000 miles and no signs of red rust will have the rubber isolator installed with silicone to protect the tube where the coating has worn off. Vehicles that exhibit contact, and have more than 45,000 miles or show signs of red rust, will have the brake tube replaced with the production tube and isolator.

Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The fuel tank strap can separate due to fatigue during operation. If this occurs, the tank will be unsupported, increasing the risk of a fuel leak.

Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the double toggle lock fuel tank straps with single toggle lock design. Note: affected vehicles built through may 21, 1998, also require the rear brake tube inspection/repair. As a result, the fuel tank strap and brake tube repair will be performed on these vheicles in a single service procedure under recall 99v-341/daimlerchrysler #841. Affected vehicles built from may 22, 1998 through september 25, 1999, only require the fuel tank strap repair, which will be performed under recall 99v-342/daimlerchrysler #842.

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The fastener which secures the generator cable to the power distribution center (pdc) has an insufficient clamp load, resulting in a loose connection and electrical arcing at the connection.

Risk: This condition could cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Fix: Dealers will retighten the generator cable and battery cable fasteners to the proper torque specifications.