9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$820
Average Mileage:
134,500 miles
Total Complaints:
183 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (108 reports)
  2. new computer (16 reports)
  3. cool down engine (12 reports)
  4. no solution factory need to call back (11 reports)
  5. replaced pcm (9 reports)
  6. wiggle the wires to the pcm (5 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #143

Jun 152011

Durango 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,025 miles

1999 Dodge Durango--- Same Story ---@nd breakdown in less than a week. While out driving during the hotter months, the truck would just shut down while I was driving. The brakes stopped working, the steering wheel stopped working and the odemeter read "no bus". When I finally stopped the car by running into a curb, it would not start for another 30 minutes. Finally got it started and two miles down the road, it happened again. It was explained to me that the pcm box over heats because of where it is placed under the hood. That section where the pcm box is is not receving any air flow to keep it cool. The cooling fins are nested too close to the body of the truck. This is a manufacturing problem and should be RECALLED . This is a safety issue, because you cannot control the car when it shuts down. You also have no warning that the car is getting ready to shut down. The first time it shut down my kids where in the car with me and we were on a very busy expressway. We were almost rear-ended. And we almost rear ended the car in front of us.

Please, please I beg Dodge to check into this. I know that there have been several complaints on this truck because of this issue. I hope it does not take someone's death before the company steps up and takes reponsibility for the manufacturing of this vehicle.

- K H., Stockbridge, GA, US

problem #142

Jun 112011

Durango 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

1999 Dodge Durango---While out driving during the hotter months, the truck would just shut down while I was driving. The brakes stopped working, the steering wheel stopped working and the odemeter read "no bus". When I finally stopped the car by running into a curb, it would not start for another 30 minutes. Finally got it started and two miles down the road, it happened again. After talking to other Durango owners, I was directed to change the pcm. Well that is a $1000.00 job. It was explained to me that the pcm box over heats because of where it is placed under the hood. That section where the pcm box is is not receving any air flow to keep it cool. The cooling fins are nested too close to the body of the truck. This is a manufacturing problem and should be RECALLED . This is a safety issue, because you cannot control the car when it shuts down. You also have no warning that the car is getting ready to shut down. The first time it shut down my kids where in the car with me and we were on a very busy expressway. We were almost rear-ended. And we almost rear ended the car in front of us. Please, please I beg Dodge to check into this. I know that there have been several complaints on this truck because of this issue. I hope it does not take someone's death before the company steps up and takes reponsibility for the manufacturing of this vehicle.

- K H., Stockbridge, GA, US

problem #141

Nov 012011

Durango 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

I have had the same problem as everyone else. It appears to be a short in the CPS crankshaft position sensor 49.00 dollars at local auto parts store. You need to take the passengers side wheel and cover off to get to the part. it is connected with two 1/2 in bolts the wiring runs to the drivers side just above the rear of the valve cover. I changed mine in about an hour and have had no more problems with it. No need to change the PCM I hope this helps out.

- Jeremy T., Ocoee, FL, US

problem #140

May 152011

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I have the same issue as everyone else on here, That my piece of sh!t Durango keeps shuting down all the time. So I am here to say that I am just as pissed as the rest of you and willing to do something about it. I am going to start a class action lawsuit. I have spoken with an attorney about this issue and so far it looks like a go. I need to raise names if you would like me to include you in please email me at audia88@msn.com please place in subject ---class action lawsuit... I will forward all names to my attorny, pleae discribe your issues you are having with your durango.. mention any accidents you had as well. Plus your contact information...Let's get their ASS....

- mreichenbach, Mahanoy City, PA, US

problem #139

Jul 042011

Durango SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 245,000 miles

truck died on me on the highway, wouldn't start up again. Had to have it towed to my house, where it was impounded by the city. Had to pay to get it out plus storage. Took two weeks to get it diagnosed, and is still at the f-ing shop!

- Adam O., Mississauga, Ontario, canada

problem #138

Jun 132011

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

WTF!!!!!!!!!!! Driving down the freeway at 11 at night with my 5 kids and hubby, all of a sudden the stupid thing starts feeling like its running out of gas but I know it's not because we just put a thousand dollars in at the gas pump! Any how, the sucker shuts down, I try pulling off the road with desiels up my peekachoo, could only make it to the little entrance island in the middle. I was so afraid! Long story short, it wouldn't start. Had to pay for a tow. Had to wait on DANGEROUS freeway for an hour with the little ones.Funny thing is, just had a complete check on it ($250!!!) trusty mechanic said it was above well maintained so this just happened out of no where!

- pintojellybean, Nampa, ID, US

problem #137

Feb 012011

Durango ES V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 172,000 miles

I am the second owner of this piece of sh*t durango and now I see why so many people have nothing but negative things to say about dodge. I bought this car March of 2010 and it's a 1999. I have not gone more than two months without having some issue. The a sorry excuse for a vehicle issues had started February 2011. This thing has been shutting off at random times. I had the computer fixed which cost me close to 900.00.This obviously did not solve my problem because well today while I have my kiddos in the car and on the freeway it shuts off. I happen to be in the middle lane of traffic on a very busy highway and that scared myself and my kiddos. This is BS having to pay good money for a vehicle than find out that this company "Dodge" makes a cheap version of a vehicle. On top of paying out the ass for gas during this economy, we now have to starve in order to keep the sorry excuse for a vehicle running and still not safe.

This company is gonna hold out on fixing and or improving these vehicles until someone dies from their car shutting off in the middle of high speed traffic. Mark my words. My mechanic tells me that I'm one of many people that have this exact same problem. I wonder how these car makers/ big wigs sleep at night knowing this is going on with their product.

- Maricela T., Westminster, CO, US

problem #136

Jan 102011

Durango SLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

PIECE OF SH*T my son first job worked his ass off to buy a car, 18 years old, went to buy. he paid it off in 1 year then it just started dying while driving. poor kid spent all his money on tow bills or had to walk 5 miles to get home cause he had no phone. took it to one mechanic put coil in

then crankshaft then it still did it. would start but just stop. it has been sitting in driveway now 6 months. scared to drive, too broke to fix. he is now using my car so i have to get rides to work. I WILL TELL EVERYONE NEVER BUY A DODGE. i have cancer and have a 400 dollar Mitsubishi that I've had 3 years not a dime in repairs. SCREW DODGE

- Deborah R., Fort Walton Beach, FL, US

problem #135

Jul 152009

Durango UT 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

I bought my 1999 Dodge Durango in January of 2009. Loved it, actually still do, however, discovered the dangerous issue my first summer with it. As everyone who is reading this knows, it shuts down in warm temperatures. We have all read that this is common, dangerous, and related to the PCM; but what the heck should we do? Keep replacing the PCM? I say no! I have discovered several things we can do. First, if you are already experiencing this issue, replace the PCM with a rebuilt one. Provided on where you get this from, it will also include latest software upgrades from Dodge. The second thing I have discovered is the PCM placement. If you are not financially able to have the PCM relocated to the other side of the engine compartment, behind the battery, then I have some suggestions based on my research; which, yes by the way, I will be implementing in the next week. First of all, the cooling fins on the PCM are nested to close to the body of the truck, there exists no real air flow for the fins, defeating their purpose. I read on a different site, adding spacers, not metal ones, addresses this. Additionally, I read, my first summer owning my truck, that running a 3 - 4 inch hose from the grill to the PCM, keeps the PCM cool. I have done this, and it is true, with one exception; only on the freeways where there is constant airflow. Around town, however, it still shuts down. When my new PCM arrives, I am going to do one of two things; install a fan that constantly keeps the engine heat off the PCM, or split my cab air hose to run both in my cab and at my PCM.

I do not think we will ever get something off of Dodge, or much help from the NHTSA, so many have tried. I believe it is up to us to find solutions. I will tell everyone, I have never had it fail on the freeway once I installed the tube.

A quick fix, for those who are not ready to address the issue, but are dead on the road; keep a hammer in your car. When the car shuts off, no need to add cold water (though this also works), rather, have someone turn the ignition while another person lightly(ok, your pissed, so maybe not so lightly) tap the PCM, while they are turning the engine over. Guaranteed that it works everytime, even my kids help, honestly, so have the local Police Department when I have been the cause of the traffic jam.

Good luck to everyone! I may not love Dodge as a company, or a business, nor do I think they are ethical; I do, however, love my Durango and want to find a fix for this issue.

- Dee R., Tualatin, OR, US

problem #134

May 022011

Durango 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

This car was my Moms before she passed away.... after i got it i was traveling down the highway at about 65 MPH when it shuts off.... scared the heck out of me for sure..sence then it has happened numerus times at different temps and times and speeds...Can someone tell me wht it is i have heard computer and all the usal but Didge has o know what it is and how to fix it.

- Frank H., Birmingham, AL, US

problem #133

May 182010

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

I got this 99 Dodge in May of 2010 im the 2nd owner. now I see why he got rid of it. i have the same problem as everyone else does. Shutting down when it gets hot. I won't go into the big issue with it because everyone already knows what it is doing.

Now....

I have contacted Dodge today 02-22-2011 and as I knew they would say they knew nothng about. I even went as far as reading what a lot of people on this siute has said word for word. They still swear they knew nothing of the sort. You cna not tell me with all the problems that just on this site alone not to mention others sites has that have this same problem. That no one single person called them. Well I sure the hell did. And now it is brought to thier attention. I just kept getting out on hold saying the upper case mangement would be with me in a sec. then he came back on and said he was gone to lunch. So needless to say i was just given the run around. So I took it upon myself to contact the Fed Att genreal. So now they know that this trucks have problems. i told Dodge I was going to get on this site and tell everyone to call them. Maybe then something will be done. Before someone gets hurt or worse killed in these damn trucks. I think maybe a class A law suit might get thier attention. What do you think?

here is the numer you need to call to conplain I went the hell off on them.

1-800-423-6343 let your voice be heard on this issue.

They wanted me to take it to the dealerhsip and pay 500.00 to get it looked at. I told them no because it was a factory defauilt and it is thier fault. They need to pay to have it fixed. Why get it looked it when there are people on here that has had it looked it and mine is doing the samething as thiers is. Dodge just doesn'tr want to take responsabilty for thier action and the lack of thier workmenship. If anyone wants to call me and see what we can do as far as getitng a class A law suit on Dodge please call 812-963-0094.

If everyone got togeather maybe something can be done before its to late

- Rhonda S., Evansville, IN, US

problem #132

Jul 152009

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

So we bought this Durango and it shuts off while driving. its shut off while i drive on the curves, on the freeway its soo dangerous. we bought a new computer from autocomputerexchange.com and it keeps doing the same thing. we drive and shuts off its so frustrating. so they tell us that its the computer again so we exchange it again. we have done exchanges maybe 8 times. the company is probably sick and tired of us. so we have not sent in this last one so the Durango has been sitting there for about a year now because we are scared of driving it and resulting into a much worse accident. also when we move it from my driveway down to the street so its not just there looking ugly. it will shut off...and not start anymore.. sometimes wiggling the wires to the pcm starts it but the problem is not fixed and we will never buy a Durango again. this is the most problematic car i have ever bought.

- nlaura64, San Jacinto, CA, US

problem #131

May 062010

Durango SLT 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I have two 7 year olds, 5 year old and a 2 year old and my truck dies and loses power steering without warning if I drive for any length of time. I have almost rear ended someone because I couldn't stop the truck, almost been sideswiped because I couldn't turn the wheel, and had a police officer drive me and my kids home after it died on the bypass! I have tried all the ideas that this web site shows (even the ice packs) and nothing will work! Why has DODGE not done anything about this? Are they waiting on fatalities? I need some help!!!!

- jwalton, Springdale, AR, US

problem #130

Jul 142010

Durango SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

OK actually I don't have this vehicle anymore but I did have the same problem as a lot of people on here. I traded mine in on a 2003 dodge durango. So I'm not totally against them. Anyhow on the problem with my 99 durango it stalled on the interstate 3 separate times. The first time it started running real rough and kept dying. After 10 to 15 minutes it would restart and would go for a few more miles then do the same thing again. I finally made it home without a tow. The next day I did a complete tune-up including the ignition coil. The coil had some arcing tracks and I'm pretty sure that is what caused the problem.

It ran fine for about three months. The next time it died and wouldn't start at all. Had it towed to a shop and they called the next day and said it was the coil. Again.

So I was ready the next time. I purchased a new coil and put it in the glovebox. About three months later same thing happened. On interstate again and the truck died. Again.

The coil was too hot and too hard to get to so I didn't take the old one off I just disconnected it and plugged the new one in. Taped it to the AC hose so it wouldn't move and fired the truck up. It ran fine.

The next day I put a bracket on the intake manifold to mount the coil in a cooler and more easily accessible place. That was the last coil I had to replace. I think the original mounting place was too close to the exhaust manifold causing the coil to overheat and fail.

Anyhow that's my story. Hope it helps.

- dodgem, Jefferson, MO, US

problem #129

Jan 242011

Durango SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Picked my son up from school yesterday, and was about to make a left hand turn.....99 Durango dies, no power steering or brakes! Yikes! My son was crying and scared to death, as was I!

I had to have the car towed......saw the 'nobus' in the odometer, and told them that at the mechanic. My husband was doing some research online today and found it should be the PCM, and sure enough the mechanic called and said that is what it was. He is replacing now.

We have had this truck since new, driven it all over to Texas and Colorado, and we have never had a problem with it. This problem is new to me, so I am hoping after the $1000.00 bill (had to charge it) that this will fix it.

The only difference I see regarding everyone else, and myself, is that it is winter here and the temps have been 15-20 degrees, so I know it isn't overheating......I guess that shows that it can happen even when it is cold.

I do want them to show me this thing, as I have taken note that a lot of you you jiggle the wires, or construct something to hold a plug in.......nice to know, in case, this happens to me again....knock on wood!

Update from Feb 16, 2011: Replaced the PCM and problem fixed!!!!

Update from May 31, 2011: READ THIS-SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING FIX- This fault code appears in the odometer display (at least it did on mine). It's actually "no bus" as in no communication "bus" (a computer term for a data route). What it is saying is that the dashboard sub-computer is not communicating with the main computer (PCM) which is located on the passenger side of the engine compartment, bolted just above the wheel well area. Check the 3 connectors to see if they are plugged in all the way. If they are, your PCM is probably bad (mine lasted 90k miles). This is something you can't replace yourself because the new one must be programmed with the milage and VIN and other info by MOPAR before it's installed. Be careful, because when the PCM fails, your money pit (Durango) will start to suddenly stall at the worst times (Freeway, Boat launch, stop light on a one lane road) and not restart until you disconnect the battery for 10 minutes and then reconnect.

Good luck! The dealer charged me $800 to replace mine. $500 for the part and $300 to diagnose the problem. And I told them it was a bad PCM when I brought it in.

No need to go to a dealership if it is the PCM... you can purchase refurbs on the web from $199 and all you have to do is supply the VIN, milage and a couple of other things so that it can be programmed correctly and sent back to you so that you can install yourself... some sites also offer a warranty benefit if you send your old unit in for remanufacture. Just use a search engine with key words like "2002 Dodge Durango, PCM"

- Lydi P., Olathe, KS, US

problem #128

Dec 092010

Durango SLT 5.9L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 147,000 miles

1999 DODGE DURANGO SUCKS!!! i have the same problem as everybody else,just shuts down all of a sudden.no power at all, then starts up 5-30min.really dangerous!!! i will never buy a dodge again!!!!

- lpantoja, San Diego, CA, US

problem #127

Dec 292010

Durango SLT 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

This vehicle is a piece of sh!t, I had this thing for about 10 years and for the first few years we never had any problems with it then all hell have broke loose.. since I had this thing I've replaced the four alternator, three starter, AC compressor, countless belts, heater core twice, to many brakes I lost count, two transmissions, Rotors six times, three PCM's, and this damn truck just suddenly started cutting off on me no matter where I'm at. I'm in Hawaii so it's always hot here so I don't know if that have something to do with it, but I'm so sick of this damn truck I just want to set it on fire. c=because I can't sell it to any one with all the problems it has. some one Please help.

- Mista R., Kailua, HI, US

problem #126

Jun 072010

Durango 5.9

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

I own a 1999 Dodge Durango 5.9 L SLT. I'm amazed at how many people are having the same problem as I am. My vehicle stalls when I'm driving down the highway, then which the "No Bus" displays on the digital odometer. This is a very dangerous problem to occur on the highway, especially driving uphill. I've read from this site to replace the PCM or CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I'm afraid to spend money on either, not knowing if this will even fix my problem.

I need help. What has worked to fix your problem? Any information would be helpful before I take it to the shop. Please email me with any information that could be of any help. This is a pain in the ass problem!! Thanks.

- Adrian N., Whiteriver, AZ, US

problem #125

Mar 072009

Durango 5.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

I have a 1999 dodge durango, what a piece of Sh*t. It just turns off when ever. I have 4 children & been in very scary situations bcuz of this problem.

- Madelyn R., Dundee, FL, US

problem #124

Jun 242010

Durango 4x4 LX 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Shuts off on the freeway - almost killed myself and others, how many people have to die before Dodge fixes the problem, I think it's the PCM :( i will have my family SUE Dodge when I get killed in this car!!!!!!!!!!!

Update from Sep 10, 2010: I changed the PCM (Used) and it fixed the problem but about two weeks later the Air Bag warrning light turned on and the Voltage needles went down like there was no power but after a few mins. the light turned off and the car was fine, this happened about 3 times and now its ok. I dont know if becasue the weather is cooling down now but i wont know until next summer, but for now the car runs ok. Oh it costa me $300.00 dollars to have it changed!!!

- Danny G., Victorville, CA, US

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