12 problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1999 Dodge Durango. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
Yes I would like to make a complaint about the 99 Dodge Durango,,,,,,,it shuts off while driving ,without any kind of warning ,no sputtering,no jerking ,,,just shuts off ,,,,my mother is 56 years old and for her to have to be driving her car and being in danger of it shutting off anywhere,anytime,residential street ,freeway the steering locks up the brakes don't work ,,,this is a very dangerous problem not only for her and the passengers in her car like her grand daughter,friends,family but for the person driving behind her that has to stop very quickly,,,,,this can lead to people getting seriously hurt,,,,,she has taken it to several mechanics ,the dealership and they cannot diagnose the problem,,,,,so after much time and money wasted I got on the internet to see what I could find ,and found hundreds of people with the same problem,,,and what it seems to be is the pcm overheating and shutting itself off,after about ten minutes of it cooling down it turns right back on ,,,,,,,then over heats again and shuts itself off again ,,I think this needs to be addressed by Dodge before someone gets in a serious accident.
Driving down the highway and suddenly there was zero oil pressure. I pulled to the shoulder of a dangerous highway hoping the problem might remedy after some cooling down. I went to restart the engine and it made loud knocking sounds. I immediately shut it off and had it taken to the dealership where I had purchased it (now under new ownership). They had replaced my oil pump when the vehicle was still under their warranty but hadn't told me that these engines have oil sludge buildup problems that cause the oil pumps to fail. Now my warranty just expired last year and the dealer told me I have a seized engine.
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.
1999 Dodge Durango with 42,000 miles - faulty both upper and lower ball joints - both inner tied rods - water pump - excessive tire wear even though the tires were rotated every 6,0000 miles.
Vehicle was taken for a routine general maintenance, and the mechanic noticed that all four ball joints felled worn out prematurely. Also consumer had problems with water pump and the serpentine belt.
Consumer was about to switch lanes and steering got stuck. Consumer slammed brakes and vehicle landed up on right side of road and went into bush. Dealer claimed that water pump/ serpentine belt failed.
Several time my overdrive light has come on and then has shut off in the last year. The dealer has told me that there is nothing they can do unless I bring the truck in while the light is on. One day in July on my lunch hour I was sitting in the drive thru getting lunch and my overdrive light came on and wouldnt shut off. The transmission light came on and the temp gauge shot up in the red zone. I immediatley parked the vehicle and called roadside assitance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer called me and told me theire was nothing wrong. They siad you must have pushed the overdive light by accident. I dont think so I told them. They said they put the truck on their machine and it told them the lights and guages never showed they lit up or overheated. Impossible. Im afraid im going to get stranded again with my child. My airconditioner doesnt cool well and they say it cools fine. My truck is currently in the shop due to the paint is lossing its clearcoat. Love the Durango but very disgusted.
I noticed the problem while doing my first oil change on the vehicle. I always check all the fluid levels when I do an oil change and noticed that the antifreeze level did not register on the radiator dipstick. I didn't think much of it since I hadn't checked the levels of anything since I bought the used vehicle because the dealer assured me that it was given a certified 135-point inspection. Well after that I have checked the radiator fluid level on a regular basis (approximately every two weeks) and have found it to be low every time. I don't know where it's going. There are no traces of antifreeze on the garage floor and I don't see any visable leaks anywhere. I also can't detect the smell of burning antifreeze in the exhaust fumes. I took the vehicle to my local Dodge dealer on 12/2/99 and they could not detect any problems and had no answer. They put a dye in the antifreeze to be able to detect a leak using a blacklight at a later date. I have gotten on internet newsgroup web sites and have found other people that have experienced similar problems, some worse than others. They are also saying that Dodge knows it has this problem with it's larger engines. Well, that's all I can tell you for now. Thanks.
Upon idle, the temp guage exceeds 210 and causes ac to blow hot air. After accellerating ac cools again but vehicle continually overheats and causes ac to blow hot. Dealer said it is "flaw" in the Durango and later version '99's have been upgraded already. Is there a recent TSB on this?.
When the vehicle had a full tank of gas and driven on a slight incline, the engine would shut off and would not start. The cause was unknown. While driving, the consumer smelled something burning, he/she pulled over and popped the hood, and noticed the bushings on the water pump were loose, which caused the radiator fan to move back and forth. The pump was replaced, however the problem remained.
Consumer complained about a host of problems which included anti-lock brake sensor replacement along with 2 water pumps, and a belt. Also,consumer complained about a serious suspension problem which involved front upper and lower ball joints.