18th Feb 2009, 01:00

I love driving my Dodge Durango, but it seems that it definitely has some flaws Dodge knew about and has never sought to improve.

My driver's seat has now gone through two seat adjusters ($600 ea.) and I need a third but will not go through the expense, even if it is dangerous. I am checking junkyards but the part is not that much cheaper -- will check for the total seat. It's a weak point, as are the upper ball joints and lower ball joints of the car. They had a recall on the upper ball joints a few years ago but even after they replaced them the joints have never been OK.

I'm disappointed in Dodge -- they could have made a superior car, and instead just let things go.

21st Feb 2009, 22:28

I had the same problem on my 99 Durango. First sliding, then the plastic holders broke on the seat adjuster. The dealer wanted 900 dollars. I found a seat adjuster at a Dodge auto dismantler for 125. I installed it (about 1 1/2 hours) and the movement was there again... another bad seat adjuster.

I recommend checking the seat adjuster for movement before you buy it at a junk yard. I will probably go back and get another one, but this time I will sit in the car and check for a slide.

11th Apr 2009, 22:14

I just purchased a 98 Durango that exhibited the same loose driver's seat. Did someone here unload one? Anyway, what I did to correct it was to drop a few steel ball bearings into the track. There is a sled in the track that I am assuming wore down leaving a gap between it and the bracket it pushes on. I filled that gap with three steel bearings. It seems to be holding and the power seat can still operate.

30th May 2009, 21:51

Hi, I have a 1998 Dodge Durango. When I step on the brakes the seat moves forward and backward. Quick fix - used a small g clamp to hold it in place or a vise grip.

16th Jun 2009, 14:37

I recently bought a '02 Durango SLT, and from day one I experienced both the driver and passenger seat rock about an inch or two when I brake. Not to sound repetitive, but I, too, am amazed how many people have this issue. If anyone can get info on what Chrysler is doing, please let us know.

28th Jul 2009, 08:58

1998 Durango, I took my driver seat off and realized that the entire track is factory riveted together so you have to trash it instead of being able to fix it. I will drill the factory rivets out and get to the bottom of this nonsense.

Gabriel

Southern New Jersey

13th Aug 2009, 23:51

I just bought a 98 Durango; same rocking driver's seat problem. It looks to me like a plastic sled is the culprit - worn down over time. I am going to try to drop something into the space (like the ball bearings one guy suggested). It is a bummer that that part of the track doesn't seem to be adjustable or replaceable.

18th Aug 2009, 16:44

My father's '99 Durango SLT 4WD only has 38,000 miles on it & has the same "rocking seat" problem both driver & passenger side. Definitely a design flaw by Dodge. Aside from expensive dealer or salvage fix, best to cheap fix by previous posts with nails, clamps, ball bearings etc. Can you spell "Class Action" should this seat problem be the cause of an accident? No wonder Chrysler is going out of business.

JB - Atlanta, GA

29th Sep 2009, 23:57

I have 1999 Dodge Durango and have put up with this seat issue for probably 5 years, I'm getting tired of it and looking to get it fixed. But can't find a seat, please help.

Chris from Kansas.

1st Oct 2009, 07:58

Same for my wife's 2001 Durango. Both passenger and drivers seat. Looks like I will have a lot of competition if I try to buy a used one.

22nd Oct 2009, 05:04

I have a Dodge Durango SLT 2wd 4.7L; bought new it has under 60K miles. Just had to replace the transmission and now have the Drivers seat slide 1 inch problem. I have stated the facts of my experience and in my opinion Dodge sucks. I will never buy another dodge again.

To Dodge, take responsibility and issue a recall on this seat sliding issue and fix your mistake. not everyone can afford a fix that will cost several hundred dollars.

J-Aburto, Placentia CA USA.

1st Mar 2010, 18:29

I own a 2001 Durango with the same problem. Driver's side seat moves during braking. One day my wife put the seat as far back as possible and it is now permanently stuck in that position. At least it does not move. However my daughter is learning to drive and is only 5'1". We are in the process of cleaning up the vehicle and selling it "as is".

2nd Mar 2010, 13:26

2002 Dakota:

Father is having same issue with his. He and mom are about the same size, and will likely tack weld the sliding rails, which could be ground off later. The "sleeve nut" on the threaded rod is worn badly. Personally, if it were to wear enough that in a frontal impact, it would drastically increase the potential for injury as the seat would move forward or backward in the accident. NTSB REALLY needs to get on the bandwagon here.

19th Mar 2010, 13:07

Just bought a 1998 Durango. One of the last things the previous owner noted was the sliding seat; said his mother just pointed it out to him as the position he sits in doesn't move. Didn't think it was going to be this big of a problem, we can't afford to pay that much to fix it and it sounds like even if we find one in the junk yard, it's likely to be broken too! I can't believe there's not a recall. Does anyone have the contact info to the aforementioned agencies? I would love to add my two cents!

20th Jun 2010, 09:25

I am yet another "victim" of the rocking seat. I have been to 3 local scrapyards and found 14 seats with tracks; NOT ONE of them was any good. NOT ONE! So this is definitely an issue that ALL Dodges will encounter at one point or another. Drive safe.

Oh, and my 2005 Dodge Magnum is showing the same signs of wear.

Dave

Port Orange Florida.

31st Jul 2010, 13:56

July 31, 2010.

Have '98 Durango with 116k miles (purchased new). Same sliding (drivers powered) seat issue for past several years. I also assumed mine was an isolated case. Haven't tried to fix it yet (coming soon). Thanks to all who've shared problems & fixes. I will also email the NTSB (hope others have) to CONTINUE THE ALERT regarding the serious SAFETY problem.

31st Jul 2010, 14:46

http://www.nhtsa.gov/

I previously posted my sliding seat problem issue and have filed a complaint on the NHTSA website (above). I would suggest ALL concerned to do the same. THANK YOU.

21st Aug 2010, 18:35

This is a valid problem, but it is actually an easy fix. You will need a set of torx bits though. All you have to do is take the seat out and then take the track/motor assemblies off. There is an acme nut on each worm gear that goes through the tracks. The nut sits in an aluminum housing, and is sandwiched by a rubber bushing. This bushing is what fails and causes the aluminum piece to slide. Since this is the piece that the upper track bracket mounts to, it causes the whole seat to slide. All you need to do is replace the rubber bushing with some rubber or nylon washers, and you will be good to go. You will have to cut the washers a bit to get them to fit. You'll also want some blue threadlock and grease on hand. The actual cost of for me was $2.80 plus a few hours of work. If anybody in the KC area wants me to fix theirs, just get on Kansas city or Lawrence craigslist, search for 0345t and email through that.