2002 Dodge Durango — 5.9L

The 2002 Durango sits in the declining phase of the first generation’s complaint trend, with 436 complaints—down sharply from the 1999 peak of 2,043 and continuing a downward trajectory through 2003 (338). However, its six recalls and five investigations are on par with the elevated safety-activity levels seen from 2001 to 2003, and the top complaint area (suspension, 115 reports) plus 38 crash and 13 fire complaints indicate persistent issues that the data does not attribute to a single root cause. Compared to the spike in complaints and recalls that followed in 2004 (1,114 complaints, nine recalls), the 2002 model appears relatively stable, but it is not as clean as the 2003 model year, which had fewer complaints and the same recall count. Given that TSBs also fell to 51 in 2002—the lowest of the first generation—the vehicle had accumulated less service documentation, but the high investigation count suggests unresolved safety concerns. Overall, the 2002 Durango is a middling choice within its generation: better than the early years but not the most trouble-free, so buyers should prioritize a thorough inspection of the suspension and verify all recall repairs were completed.