Dodge›Durango›1998›5.9L/dodge/durango/1998/5-9l/

DN platform

1998 Dodge Durango — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Durango 5.9L.

Body SUVEngine 5.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Built on the DN platform, the 1998 Dodge Durango 5.9L is an SUV that couples a 5.9L engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission to deliver EPA fuel economy ratings of 11/16/13 mpg, while maintenance requires 5.0 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil. Ownership data for this model year records 1021 total owner complaints with suspension as the top complaint area across 6 recalls, a figure that sits between the model's lowest count of 4 in 1997 and the highest of 2043 in 1999. This placement within the 1997 to 2026 history indicates a moderate reliability standing for researchers evaluating early generation risks rather than an outlier at either extreme.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy11/16/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB alt 53020461AB
Engine air filter	53004383AC
Fuel filter	05012351AB discontinued
Spark plug	68303921AA
Battery	BB27F101AA
Front wiper blades	55077091AD
Serpentine belt	53010303AC
Thermostat	52028185AC alt 53021051AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.3 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	72.4 in
Wheelbase	115.7 in
Curb weight	4555 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	11 / 16 / 13 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1998 SLT 5.9 V8

245 hpHorsepower (as tested)

335 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	SLT 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.20 sec	16.10 sec	245 hp	AWD
1998	SLT 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.70 sec	16.60 sec	245 hp	AWD
2000	R/T 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	250 hp	AWD
2002	R/T 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	245 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.5 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4 Pints,
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	48 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	35.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	200 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Type	RC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-20
Standard BCI Group Number	27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	44.0-54.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	10.8-13.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	18-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	95-125 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.945 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.89 in
Rotor Finish	15-80 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 12

6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 mi	Bands (adjust) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1997 the Durango recorded only 4 complaints and 2 recalls, establishing a low baseline for the generation. The 1998 model year jumps to 1,021 complaints and 6 recalls, a sharp increase over the prior year. Complaints continue to rise in 1999 to 2,043 before beginning a gradual decline through the early 2000s, placing 1998 on the upward slope of the complaint trend for this generation. Recall counts follow a similar pattern, peaking in 1998 and staying elevated through the early 2000s before fluctuating at lower levels. Given the markedly higher complaint volume in 1998 relative to both the preceding and subsequent years, this model year suggests a greater likelihood of reported issues, making it a less attractive choice for a used purchase compared to later years with lower complaint totals.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

116

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,021

Owner complaints

54 involved a crash · 12 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,021 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension433

Power Train70

Service Brakes, Hydraulic52

Engine & Engine Cooling48

Steering,Suspension44

Seats38

Visibility38

Steering25

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

06E024000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 15/03/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME… Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 116 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
DOR-X6W2U-06	2020-03-23	Electrical System	This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Durango. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 27 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt DN-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 53004383AC Fuel filter 05012351AB Spark plug 68303921AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Durango 5.9L take?

5.0 qt of Above 0 F: 10W-30 API, Below 32 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Durango have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.