• The driver's side air bag has experienced problems in the Durango.airbag image by Dimitar Atanasov from Fotolia.com
  
  The 1998 Dodge Durango offers heavy-duty performance with room for several passengers. The Durango has a truck chassis and engine, and can handle off-road conditions with optional four-wheel drive. The 1998 Dodge Durango has had a few mechanical issues, triggering some recalls. Contact your local Dodge dealer to see if your vehicle is affected by any of these recalls.
  
  

Air Bag

• 1998 Dodge Durangos have been included in a recall of driver's side air bags. A sound-deadening material in the steering wheel of the Durango can come loose and cause a malfunction in the air bag's circuitry. When this occurs, the air bag warning light will come on in the vehicle's dashboard. The air bag will not deploy in a collision until the circuitry in the steering wheel is replaced.
  
  

Fuel System

• Performance automotive parts manufacturer K&N offered an optional fuel performance kit on some 1998 Dodge Durangos. A recall was issued for Durangos outfitted with this optional fuel kit since a piece of one of the tubes in the kit can come loose and get stuck in the Durango's throttle body. In this case, the throttle cannot close, causing the Durango to accelerate uncontrollably, putting occupants at risk of a collision.
  
  

Brakes

• The 1998 Dodge Durango has had problems with the rear brakes. The brake line at the front of the SUV can rub against a cross-member on the underside of the vehicle. This contact can eventually wear a hole in the brake line, causing a loss in brake power in the rear wheels. Dodge issued a recall on 1998 Durangos, offering to install a rubber insulator on the brake line to remedy the problem.