Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Due to to uneven driveway the vehicle stalled, or transmission began to spin and not move, at which the vehicle ignition was shut-off. It was attempted to push the vehicle about 50 feet to a parking place. Another person offers to help, then pushes vehicle 25/50 feet...advises to turn the wheel. The wheel does not want to turn. The vehicle has used a lot of power steering fluid almost daily(has a history of squealing and hard turning at start unless lubricated). So advice to place vehicle in reverse caused the steering wheel to be even harder to turn, if at all. I requested help from the bystander, who at which point comes to the driver side where I was standing outside of the vehicle also. It's unknown if the bystander help turned the ignition on, or if the ignition somehow turned on by itself. The vehicle was occupied by one addition passenger at the time of the crash. …
Accident, airbags did not deploy, seat belts didn't work proper. Loss of of control from steering problems. Steering problems on wet roads. Transmission problems, doesn't shift proper, no air condition, can not drive with windows down in back, very hard to control. Car is parked because I am afraid to drive it. Been back to dealer with problem after problem.
The consumers 1998 Durango needed both front and rear upper and lower ball joint replacement . The consumer experienced a spin out accident due to front end instability and bad tie rod ends. The consumer suggested that the front tires wore out in one year.
I purchased a 1998 Dodge Durango in March of 1998. The car was brand new with 3 miles on it. The car was excellent until about 52,000 miles. 1st repair, water pump. At about 56,000 transmission rebuild. At about 61,000 heater core, and power steering fluid leaking. At 77,000 transmission rebuild again. At about 80,000 miles, steering wheel started to stiffen up and very difficult to turn wheel they told me I needed a new rack and pinion. Durangos do not have rack and pinions, they have gear boxes. At about 94,000 transmission rebuild. At 106,000 trasnmission rebuild and installed a transmission cooler this time around along with an aftermarket transmission gauge which tells me the temp of the trans(price was $125.00 for gauge and wiring). Called Dodge was like talking to my dog, they said that it wasn't their problem. …
Events leading up to failure: 1.) noise eminating from the front of the vehicle ? Clunking, squeaking; 2.) loose steering associated with clunking; .) wandering at speed. Failure and consequences: 1.) prior to complete failure the vehicle was diagnosed by a local dealer as worn lower ball joints, right inner tie rod end, and sway bar bushings 2.) possible consequences of not determining the problem prior to failure ? Unsafe operation or life threatening accident due to steering failure correction: 1.) replaced lower both lower ball joints, sway bar bushings, and the right inner tie rod end ($777.78 parts and labor) in light of recent recalls regarding ball joints of 2000-2003 Dodge dakotas and durangos, we believe investigation into earlier models is warranted. …
We bought a 98' Durango w/ 123K miles & after driving it less than 500 miles I began to notice a loud-repeating noise "thud...thud.." coming from the front passenger wheel wall. Then I began to notice extreme steering problems so I stopped the vehicle and inspected it further. I jacked up the vehicle and observed a lot of "play" in the front tire. I was actually able to "wobble' back and forth and the lug nuts were still secured. I contacted a very reputable mechanic (3rd generation race car driver too!) and he advised that there have been massive problems with the ball joints failing on the Durango's , but they only will fix back to 2000' model year. …
I own a Dodge Durango 1998 and I saw that you are doing an investigation of the Durango's. I recently took my Durango to a tire specialist to get an alignment done the vehicle has been pulling for some time now. They informed me that the ball joints and the 2 outer and 1 inner tie rods are bad and need to be replaced. If I take the vehicle to the dealership its going to be about a 900 procedure where if I take it to someone else it will be a 700 procedure but in order to be re-imbursed if a recall does come out I was told that I have to take it to the dealer. I am a pregnant woman and I have a 1 year old child. I am really worried that something that other mothers have experienced will also happen to me and my family. I am the one that drives this vehicle day in and day out. …
While driving down a paved road the vehicle suddenly jerked to one side as I braked I attempted to correct with the steering but it did not respond. I came to rest approximately 3 feet from a 70 foot embankment. I laid down under the car to see if I could find an apparent problem and noticed that the steering tie rod end was hanging down. Upon further inspection I noticed that all of the threads on the inner tie rod end and on the steering drag link to be completely bare of thread. I am currently pricing the cost of a new tie rod end and drag link which hopefully will repair the problem, however the problem May have caused additional damage to the 4 wheel drive system. …
Tie rod ends and driver side balljoint remature wearing of front tires due to failure of tierod ends both sides and the upper ball joint is going out last tire almost blew out due to the type of wear. The tire only had 15,000 miles on it the inner portion was down to the steelbelt the only way I saw it was because I was under the truck replaceing the tierods turns out the upper ball joint is bad also.I think five sets of tires due to poor manufactureing of a suspention is quite over kill. Speaking of the last one May have killed me if I didnt happen to be under the truck. Replaced the tie rod ends because I was told that was the reason for the tire wear. It turns out thats not the only reason.yes the old parts are available for your inspection.
I owned a 98' Dodge Durango that had a tie rod break while I was driving on the n.y., thruway with my children which also resulted in a brake line behind severed luckily I was able to get my car stopped with out a serious accident. I had to pay to have this fixed out of pocket even thought I sent Chrysler an e- mail telling them that under 65,000 miles I did not think a vehicle should be doing this. Then I also had to have the upper and lower ball joints and tie rods and a ball bearing replaced. All total I spent $3000.00 to replace these tings without Dodge helping me at all. I had to finally trade this vehicle in last month because the vehicle continued to need repairs.
Steering complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Dodge Durango, 9% of the model year's 965 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (41 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Durango steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1998 Dodge Durango, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Durango steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.