10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,002 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Dodge Durango:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #72

Jan 292005

Durango 6-cyl

  • miles
In the last 4 yrs I have to replace the engine 2xs @$2500 per episode. Despite regular oil changes, the oil pump is the first to go. I have repair men look at me like I do not change the oil because the oil is burnt to the pump. They have to clean the oil trap and replace parts. Then less then 3 months later, that engine goes. I end up having to replace the whole engine. The first time it happened was at 51,000 mile. I contacted that company and they send "sorry, you're past the warranty" next, it happened at 75,000 miles. And, on the second experience, I had to replace the oil pump a 2nd time w/in 3 months because when the technicians started my vehicle and the burnt-type oil in the oil trap went back into the engine clogging the pump. Thus, they made me pay for that too. Please note I may be off on the date below.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #71

Jul 252006

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,750 miles
Vehicle shuts down without warning. While driving down the road, on the interstate or city street the vehicle looses power to the fuel pump & fuel gage and shuts down. This happened to me numerous times before the mechanics could fix the problem. Luckily I live in a town with very little traffic and this did not result in any traffic accident, the dealership replaced the timer module & computer at a cost of $1,200. I have had the car back for four days and the problem has not recurred.

- Stillwater, OK, USA

problem #70

Aug 232006

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,121 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle stalled multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not duplicate the problem.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #69

May 282006

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles
I have E a 1999 5.9 liter 4X4 Dodge Durango. This spring it began to just stall out intermittently. It will turn over but not crank for sometime 30 minutes but then suddenly start and run fine until it stalls again. It will stall while driving with no warning. It is July 25th and it has been in the shop all summer with no codes being found. I have had it in 4 shops now the third being the dealership and they said something no one else said and wanted a ton of money to fix and I took it for second opinion and they said the dealer was wrong. As it is I have about $1000 in parts that have been changed trying to fix this and now they are saying it is the PCM. I am at my witts end because I do not have my car and it is very unsafe when I do have it because there is no warning when it stalls it just suddenly dies and you loose steering and brake power. It is very dangerous. I have searched the internet and found tons of the same troubles with other people. I think a recall is needed because Dodge must know of this issue. The dealers all want different prices to change the PCM and when you call looking for them around the country suppliers say they can not keep them in stock for the Dodge. Please help!!

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #68

Jul 032006

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
: the contact stated the engine stalled while driving at various speeds. The vehicle has stalled a total of 4 times. It will not restart for at least 30 minutes after the failure. As a result of the vehicle failure, there has almost been an accident. The dealership and manufacturer have not been alerted.

- Bountiful, UT, USA

problem #67

Dec 152005

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
Defective joints & tie rods, faulty oil pump, transmission shifting problems, faulty water pump, bad rotors.

- N. Ridgeville, OH, USA

problem #66

Dec 092005

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles
Warm or cold engine engine stalling been in the shop for weeks and they cant find the problem.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA

problem #65

Nov 232005

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact stated while driving heard a knock in the engine. A local mechanic found the engine threw a rod. As a result, it needed a new engine, tie rod, and serpentine belt. The vehicle was taken to a dealership, and they state it needed a new rod and crankshaft. The manufacturer instructed the dealership to take the engine apart to locate the internal problems. This has not been done at this time, and no repairs have been made.

- Sparta, KY, USA

problem #64

Jun 052005

Durango 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
The consumer kept up the maintenance on the vehicle. While driving on the highway a through rod entered the oil pan and it destroyed the engine. There was slug built up in the bottom of the oil pan that caused the pump to fail. There was no for warning, but one could hear metal against metal grinding. Oil light did not come on. Spoke with the dealer and Chrysler, and they said there was nothing they could do because warranty expired. This happened on June 5, 2005. Had the engine replaced and the consumer paid the cost out of pocket.

- Summit, NJ, USA

problem #63

Apr 222005

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles
1999 Dodge Durango, bought new, has 53,000 miles, I was driving on a highway on 4/22/05, "check gauges" lit up on dashboard, oil pressure gauge went to zero, car still drivable, pulled over after 3-4 miles into turnpike service area, checked oil stick and it read full, continued additional drive to destination of approx. 5 miles and dropped off at nearby Dodge dealership, their diagnosis is sludge in engine and oil pump has to be replaced and the entire engine will have to be replaced, they suspect lousy maintenenace by car owner regarding oil changes, I have documentation that car was well maintained, on a internet search, I found that hundreds of Durango owners have experienced the "exact" problems with this type of vehicle. In addition, I have experienced other problems with my vehicle: Replaced window moter, replaced leak in cooling system thermostat, replaced switch assembly for A/C heating unit, replaced brakes and rotors on front.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #62

Apr 082005

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
Going on a trip oil pressure gauge went to 0 then back up to normal then back down to 0, check gauge light came on. Pulled off interstate, listened to motor sounded normal, checked oil which was fine, decided it must have been the oil sending unit gone bad gauge had went back to normal, so started back on the road. Then gauge started dropping again, stopped and put 1/2 quart of oil in, engine still sounded fine, started back on the road. Went about 30 miles, motor started knocking. Pulled off the interstate, engine knocking really bad. Turned motor off then back on, engine sounded so bad cut it off and called a wrecker $50. Towed it to a Dodge dealership who said the motor was blown would cost approximately $5000 to fix. Had to rent a car $35 a day. Motor never let on there was anything wrong, never used oil, never smoked.

- Crouse, NC, USA

problem #61

Jan 142005

(reported on)

Durango

  • miles
Dodge Durango 1999 ball joints failure. It has same problem as 2000 and up models. The consumer wants to know why the manufacturer excluded the 1999 model. The exhaust manifold had gone bad and was replaced, the drivers side window was inoperative and was replaced three times, and the A/C had gone out. The consumer requested reimbursement. The engine had a ping sound and was repaired 4 times but still pinging.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #60

Feb 072005

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver noticed that the vehicle started jerking uncontrollably and hesitating without warning. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Then, the vehicle stalled. Driver turned off the vehicle for ten minutes, and then restarted. Few miles down the road the vehicle stalled again. Driver tried to restart vehicle, but was unable to do so. Driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Due to sludge build up.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #59

Dec 302004

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
I own a 1999 Dodge Durango. I am about to have to replace the driver's side upper ball joint. I started hearing a noise about 2 weeks ago. I called the dealership and they told me that I am not included in the recall. I have researched several websites and there are 100 of 1999 Durangos that are having the exact same problem. I also had to replace my engine.

- Ocean Springs, MS, USA

problem #58

May 012000

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
Motor, ignition, tie rods, brakes. Heater/air have had hardly no heat or A/C for the last 4 years.. have replaced everything from fan, blower, cooling, water pump, heater core etc. Still back in the shop on 12-28-04 got back today 01-01-05 and still no heat don't know what is wrong with it.

- Roscoe, IL, USA

problem #57

May 292004

Durango

  • miles
At 41000 miles my 1999 Durango 5.9L experienced spark knock and heavy oil consumption. Oil changed at every 3000 miles. Called Chrysler for help. They said too old and did not offer any help. I replaced all the valve seals. Did not fix. Replaced the plenum gasket as stated by the technical bulletin. Did not fix. Finally, tore down engine and found a broken oil ring on #8 cylinder. Replaced all rings and bearings. Finally fixed all at my cost. Chrysler did not offer help. Only one thing to say to Chrysler, you have one less customer.

- Shelby Twp., MI, USA

problem #56

Oct 142004

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
1999 Dodge Durango engine ceases along with ball joint problems. I had to have my engine replaced in the 5 yrs that I have owned it twice! that is not normal on a vehicle that is suppose to be tough and get more than 36,000 miles to the engine! I have called damlier Chrysler about the situation and they cannot compensate me in any way and he wasn't allowed to say if that was normal for a brand new truck to have the engine replaced twice within five years! and by the way I have reciepts for my work done and the proper maintence of the vehicle within that time span!V I paid $30,000 for the brand new truck plus one engine costing me $4100 and the second engine costing $4300 besides the ball joints. The first time theree was a crack in the engine block this time the engine ceased and started rattiling like a bunch of tin cans because suppose broke loose inside the engine and my drive cam also had to be replaced due to a crack in it!

- Medford, NY, USA

problem #55

Sep 162004

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,224 miles
While driving check engine and ABS lights came on. All the gauges did not work. Vehicle shut down. After pulling to the side of the road vehicle would not start for approximately 30 minutes. After restarting there was a loud noise. Vehicle had to be towed. It was discovered that the engine was defective.oil sludge caused premature engine failure.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #54

May 162004

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
I was driving my 1999 5.2 Dodge Durango the warning light came on I lost oil pressure and my motor stopped. I had to have it towed and the garage told me the engine was seized. I don't think that this should have happend and have been told this is a common problem with these motors.

- White Deer, PA, USA

problem #53

Apr 132004

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles
Ball joint failure on 1999 Dodge Durango @ 53,000 miles head gasket failure on 1999 Dodge Durango @ 53,000 miles

- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »