8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
111,500 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (14 reports)
  2. replace heater core (5 reports)
  3. flush the heater core (3 reports)
  4. repair leak under the water pump (1 reports)
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problem #23

Jan 032014

Durango SLT V8 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

At first the flush worked, but now the heat is tepid. I still have to let the truck run for an hour before the inside of the vehicle is warm. On 30 below days, my 20 minute commute to work is awful due to cold feet and hands. The windows will not fog up and there is some heat coming from the blower, but it is not enough to heat everyone in the vehicle especially if they are sitting in the back.

- Lisa H., Prentice, WI, US

problem #22

Jan 212012

Durango SLT V8-318 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,574 miles

1999 Dodge Durago, low mileage, A/C quits blowing after about 2 hours.

Heating is very poor, lukewarm at best, fan blowing hard but next to no air coming out vents. Air movement slowly shuts down both A/C and heat.

- David D., Canmore, Alberta, canada

problem #21

Oct 012011

Durango SLT 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,800 miles

The heater smells like anti-freeze from the radiator. Heats warmer after 25 miles or more.

- mzwahlen, Conifer, CO, Congo

problem #20

Jan 052011

Durango Chrome 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 204,000 miles

hated that my heat was warm not hot. mechanics keep saying oh the thermostat or the coolant or there's a leak you need a flush. and finally I was like" fix the heater core" because I have never replaced it.

- gomezj22, Muscatine, IA, US

problem #19

Feb 012008

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

Having the heater core problem was a real pain in the ass and very costly to have it replaced.

- Joyce S., Fountain, CO, US

problem #18

May 052010

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,200 miles

After just two years I am having the same problem with the heater again. Have been told need to replace heater core AGAIN. This is Really WRONG Dodge. What is the problem with the heater cores? I have never have this problem with any other vehicle I have owned. To replace it once is one thing since it was almost 10 years old the first time but NOT twice.

- Joyce S., Fountain, CO, US

problem #17

May 042010

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,199 miles

This is absolutely Ridiculous. It has been just 27 months and I have to REPLACE THE HEATER CORE AGAIN. I have Never had this situation before. It is one thing to replace it once because of age, but AGAIN after only two years. What is the PROBLEM DODGE????? Is there something we, as consumers, should know...?? Two years ago it cost me $1,000.00. I'm pretty sure it will be at least that if not more because of inflation.

- Joyce S., Fountain, CO, US

problem #16

Feb 012008

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,950 miles

I never had this problem with Any vehicles I owned. The cost is outrageous.!!!

- Joyce S., Fountain, CO, US

problem #15

Oct 212009

Durango SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

I have same problem like most of you, abs and brake light on, and heater blows luke warm, I just brought vehicle 1 month ago and i like it, but seeing this site and seeing all the problems all the other owners are having, makes me wonder was this a good purchase or a sucker deal?

- mhillva, Fredericksburg, VA, US

problem #14

Oct 012009

Durango Slt Plus 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

99 Durango I've owned since new and have babied. Have put two water pumps, 3 thermostats, numerous coolant flushes and several serpentine belts and continue to have off/on problems with lukewarm heat and overheating. Problems have been around since 40K miles or so. Pain in the backside in the winter in MN and after reading all of the complaints am fairly convinced Dodge has a heater core problem with this model. Given the size and cost of the job to fix, not sure what I'm going to do. Last $1000 repair doesn't seem to have fixed it and I'm loathe to throw any more $$ at it.

- Travis M., Eagan, MN, US

problem #13

Nov 182006

Durango 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

For the no-heat issue, if you put the selector at close to all the way on the red but not quite, you do get warmer air, not hot but warmer and the same works for AC, just don't put it all the way down. I drove for 2 hours across PA in January and thought that I didn't have any heat at all, that is until I stopped and got out of my car...it was warmer than I thought compared to the outside temperature.

The AC has never really been freezing cold, but mostly that is because there is no Freon in this AC system it uses that "other" coolant which doesn't give you the Frosty effect.

- Lisa T., Pottstown, PA, US

problem #12

Dec 012008

Durango SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

I had this problem with my 1998 Durango, and a flush of the heater core did the trick. I also had the one flushed in my 1999 Durango (I can't believe I bought a second one after totaling the first in an accident) the last two seasons, but that no longer works. Back to luke warm air. My most recent mechanic recommended replacing the core now, a $500-600 job he estimates.

- nauman, West Bend, WI, US

problem #11

Jan 062006

Durango SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I installed a new water pump,thermostat and bypass hose and the problem

persisted.flushed out the heater core and that solved the problem for one season.

Now it,s looking like i have to do it again.I did save alot of cash by doing the work

myself.

- zcap, Eddystone, PA, US

problem #10

Oct 242007

(reported on)

Durango SL 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,500 miles

Living in Fairbanks Alaska the lack of heat from my Durango is a real safety issue. So far I've replaced the water pump, fan, fan belt, flushed the cooling system, checked for coolant leaks and bled the system still with no relief - it's still DAMN COLD inside the car. My next option will probably be replacing the thermostat and th heater/ac controls. Anyother suggestions?

- Robert G., Fairbanks, AK, US

problem #9

Sep 212007

(reported on)

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 159,000 miles

I brought it in three times to no avail. They couldn't even figure anything out. Two separate places I might add. The fourth time I replaced the radiator cap. Still no good, then I brought it in and told them to replace the thermostat and flush the radiator. I thought it worked... wrong again. Finally they found a very very small leak under the water pump. It's been fixed and there finally seems to be no more problems. We'll see

- Sarah S., Asheville, NC, US

problem #8

May 262007

(reported on)

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

My 99 Durango SLT doesn't blow warm/hot air at all and engine the engine is constantly overheating and then after it overheats it makes a gurgling noise and sometimes spews coolant. Recently replaced radiator, water pump, radiator cap. Help please!!!!

- Sarah S., Asheville, NC, US

problem #7

Mar 182007

(reported on)

Durango SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

I have had this problem just recently with my 99 Durango SLT Its been about a month and a half and it wasn't blowing any warm/hot air at all. Took it to dealer and they replaced thermostat.... still no heat. Then they found my belt on water pump was loose and fixed the tension on it.. now it seems to be a hint better, at least I am getting hot (real hot!) air SOMETIMES when I accelerate ONLY. At idle, it is still lukewarm to cool. Then I took it in again and they replaced the water pump. Well, I drove it a few days and we just had snow 2 days ago, and the car doesn't heat up inside at idle, but start driving it around and it blows extremely hot... so whats going on? I have to call dealer and let them know.

- karennj, Point Pleasant, NJ, US

problem #6

Feb 012007

(reported on)

Durango SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

Engine thermostat shows hot, but I still have to wear gloves the entire 25-minute drive to work with the heat on as high as it goes.

- William D., Provo, UT, US

problem #5

Jan 312007

(reported on)

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,462 miles

it has been super cold in Denver the last month and lots of snow. it sucks that you can't be warm in your own f!!!en car!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Angel M., Centennial, CO, US

problem #4

Dec 282006

(reported on)

Durango SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The mechanic at the time was able to fix the problem by flushing the heater core. There was a lot of debris in it, and that took care of it. I now have the problem again, about 11 months later, and will be taking it back to see if that's what it needs again. On the bright side, it was a relatively cheap fix...$38.54. I have been told replacing the thermostat may also take care of the problem.

- nauman, West Bend, WI, US

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