Faults:

Front and rear axle bearings went bad at 40,000 and 65,000 miles, respectively.

General Comments:

This vehicle has been one of the most reliable, comfortable, and useful rigs I've ever owned. It has plenty of power, is comfortable for long trips, and drives predictably. It doubles nicely as an outstanding family car and utility vehicle for hauling lots of live music equipment or camping gear.

Brakes are one of the two areas that I would like to see some improvement in. I think they are a tad undersized for my idea of an "ideal" tow unit. However, when using a trailer with brakes, the Durango makes a fantastic tow vehicle.

The second complaint I have is not so much a complaint as it is a fact of life when driving a V8. The gas mileage stinks. My wife and I average about 13 miles per gallon. That seems a bit low for a vehicle of this size.

I recently purchased a new vehicle to replace my other car. During the shopping period, I was hard pressed to bring myself to purchase anything other than another Durango. In the end I decided to diversify the "type" of vehicle my wife and I maintain as a second car, and went with a pickup (2002 Dodge Ram).

I've spent my life around the car business (in one form or another). I don't like Chrysler cars. However, I am a big fan of their truck division. In my opinion, Dodge vehicles are not for the person who buys a car and expects to be able to neglect its maintenance. However, if you don't mind maintaining a vehicle, I would be surprised if your Durango doesn't perform and last a very long time.

Faults:

Replaced 2 transfer case seals.

General Comments:

This vehicle has been the most trouble-free vehicle I've owned in 40 years of buying.

I am delighted with its performance, build quality and reliability.

Faults:

I have a 1998 Durango & I just had the drive pinion gear shaft break in two pieces. Then it locked up my rear end.

Now I am being told that Dodge does not have an extension on their drive train warranty like most companies and they will not fix it.

I have 84,000 miles on my truck. I was only going about 5 miles an hour pulling out of a parking lot. I am being told I need to replace my whole rear end & the pinion gear. Lots of $$$.

Now in "Garage Kept New Condition" I am being told it is only worth $8,000 after paying over $35,000 for it new.

General Comments:

Not the SUV I thought I was buying.

Faults:

At 24,000 miles after hearing a loud grinding noise in the front end, I was told the tie rods and ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer did so and when I was walking out of the service department told me that I needed new tires as there was uneven wear on the current tires - but of course the dealership claimed the tie rods and bearing played no role in premature tire wear.

Grinding noise remains and dealership claims nothing is wrong with the car - insinuated it was in my wife and I's heads.

At 27,300 miles the air conditioner quit. Dealer charged the system - was better but not as good as before. Dealer finally replaced the evaporator but forgot to tell us it would take three days to do so. Evaporator was replaced but the mechanic left a large stain on the carpet on the passenger front that the service department claims no knowledge of. Air still does not cool as good as before.

After the air conditioner repair, a strong smell of anti-freeze was in the passenger compartment. Service department claims there is no leak so once again they insinuated it was in our heads. Finally agreed to replace the heater core, but was sure there was no problem with it even after finding an anti-freeze stain on the floor mat and in the carpet under the floor mat.

All electric windows failed to work after picking up the vehicle from its last service, service department said they must have bumped a wire?! Repaired electric windows then the right rear electric window failed a week later. Repaired and working at this time.

Map holder pocket that has nothing in it behind the front passenger seat has large tear down the seam - dealer indicated that my wife or I must have torn it. Sure.

The worst service department who will never answer a phone, call you back, or even speak to you about what repairs were effected when you pick the car up. Tried several times to leave no written documentation of the problem - probably trying to avoid a paper trail.

General Comments:

This was my first purchase of a Dodge/Chrysler product. Never, ever again and no one in my family or circle of friends will be buying one either.

Too bad because the price is right - of course it is holding true - you get what you pay for I guess.