2002 Dodge Durango Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2002 Dodge Durango, 34% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 42,539 miles. The words owners use most often: “ball joints” (48% of reports).
- 144suspension complaints
- 42,539median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $980typical repair cost reported by owners
- 19%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ball joints: mentioned in 69 of 144 complaints (48%)
- Front end: mentioned in 17 of 144 complaints (12%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 16 of 144 complaints (11%)
- Both upper: mentioned in 11 of 144 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the 2002 Dodge Durango at $980, and half of them between $590 and $1,600.
Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2008), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 86 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 144 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
Dodge Durango suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Durango | 2 | 14% | — |
| 2025 Durango | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2024 Durango | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2021 Durango | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Durango | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2019 Durango | 3 | 2% | 3,500 |
| 2018 Durango | 6 | 3% | 11,140 |
| 2017 Durango | 4 | 2% | 26,000 |
| 2016 Durango | 5 | 3% | 37,750 |
| 2015 Durango | 9 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2014 Durango | 7 | 1% | 25,000 |
| 2013 Durango | 5 | 1% | 1,996 |
| 2012 Durango | 6 | 1% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Durango | 7 | 1% | 39,000 |
| 2009 Durango | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2008 Durango | 4 | 4% | 46,500 |
| 2007 Durango | 4 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2006 Durango | 10 | 1% | 100,000 |
| 2005 Durango | 14 | 1% | 94,212 |
| 2004 Durango | 18 | 2% | 15,350 |
| 2003 Durango | 91 | 27% | 41,000 |
| 2002 Durango | 144 | 34% | 42,539 |
| 2001 Durango | 265 | 40% | 48,000 |
| 2000 Durango | 507 | 47% | 49,145 |
| 1999 Durango | 1,102 | 56% | 63,671 |
| 1998 Durango | 540 | 56% | 68,000 |
| 1997 Durango | 2 | 50% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Problem: 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. This could cause a clunking noise in the front suspension, which may not always be heard by the vehicle occupants.
Risk: Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension upper ball joints. This safety improvement campaign began on december 21, 2004. Owners can contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I have had my front wheel hub replaced 12 times yet my car isn't part of any recall
The hub on my 02 Durango has had to be replaced 8 times since I bought it in 2018 but everyone says my car isn't part of recall.
The hub unit broke while driving the car did not want to go it took a long time to move forward and the steering was off. There was a pound clanking noise right after i started to make a left turn and then it broke.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Dodge Durangos have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 144 owner complaints about suspension for the 2002 Dodge Durango (34% of the 423 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Dodge Durango suspension?
Yes: 1 safety recall list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 42,539 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the 2002 Dodge Durango?
Owners report a typical cost of $980 (half paid between $590 and $1,600), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2002 Dodge Durango?
The most frequent phrase is “ball joints”, in 69 of 144 complaints, followed by “front end” (17).
Other 2002 Dodge Durango problems
- Power Train problems (71)
See all 2002 Dodge Durango problems or suspension problems across all Durango years.