Seven problems related to gas recirculation valve (egr valve) have been reported for the 1999 Dodge Durango. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When outside temperature goes beyond 80 degrees fahrenheit, while in motion, the computer has shut off the engine multiple times and a code saying no bus is displayed in the dash for a few seconds. It has happened to me going 70 mph. It has happened going 45 mph and as low as 20 mph. All I have to do is pull over and let the computer cool off and it turns on again. This is very dangerous as power steering shuts off and brakes become very hard. I have a great car in the winter. In the summer it's a death trap that can shut off engine, power steering and brakes in the middle of the freeway. Check youtube and google for "Dodge Durango no bus" and you will find this is a major issue with the computer.
4 times in the last two weeks while driving in heavy city traffic in the los angeles, CA area the engine turned off, without warning, warning lights, or warning sounds. All guages went to zero. There was no abnormal function of the vehicle before each incident. Power assist to steering and brakes were also lost. Each time it was in dry, sunny weather with the temperature between 60 and 80 degrees fahrenheit. Each time I was able to coast to a curb or physically push the vehicle out of traffic. Each time, except one, the engine would not start immediately afterward. The engine would turn over briskly but would not start. After 4 to 6 attempts the car would start normally and then run normally as if nothing had ever happened. Each time the gasoline tank was at least one quarter full. Two additional times in the last two months the engine shut off while driving and then almost immediately turned back on again. The transmission was completely rebuilt 5 months ago. This had the potential to cause a crash but did not in each of the instances.
Vehicle shuts down without warning also losing power steering,brakes etc. May or may not start after 15 minutes or so. Have had grandkids with me on 2 separate occasions,one being sitting in 90 degree heat for over an hour and vehicle wouldnt start, waiting on tow. Another time vehicle shut down and had to jump lanes and coast to get to side road to stop. Very, very dangerous situations many times! havent drove it since. Sitting in driveway around 3 months. Abs has also gone out.
We experienced within 1 week of purchase (March 2011) the frequent stalling out, along with total loss of power brakes and power steering that has been reported by hundreds of 1999 owners. The problem occurs in primarily hot summer weather, but has also occurred in spring and fall weather with any temps over 70 degrees, although less frequently. The actions required are to raise the hood, wait for the unit to cool (or cool it artificially with cold water or ice pack) until the vehicle will restart. Over a year period of experimenting, I have lessened but not cured the problem. All the solutions are related to increasing the airflow to the cpu/pcm area, which chronically overheats due to its location. If Dodge would recall the 1999 model, I can imagine either of two solutions at minimal cost. (photos of my solutions are available. ) if the air guard to the passenger side of the radiator has the top half removed, then it is simple to install an intake tube or shaft to direct air thru the grille to the pcm. A plastic, easy installed unit would be the lowest cost solution. Failing this, the relocation of the pcm with a mounting bracket kit and a harness extension would allow placement of the unit in a cooler location (like right behind the new grille opening). My wife loses all braking and steering power assist when the engine stalls, sometimes when turning across oncoming traffic. This is a severe safety issue. It has occurred at least twice a week in hot weather for a year now, and on may 28th, 2012, it occurred 6 times within 40 miles during a 120 mile trip.
I am a 99 Durango 5. 9 owner, experiencing the same problems with the stalling/no bus signal. So far we have replaced the crank sensor, the engine auto-shutdown relay and the front oxygen sensor with out any success. Spoken to two dealers, they play stupid, bring it in next week and we may have time to look at it. (nice customer service). After about 20 miles or the temp gauge reaches 210 degrees it dies. If I sit for 10 minutes with the hood open it will start right back up. So sad when the manufactures play so stupid, we don't know what the problem is. Maybe they should read this web page. I was thinking about trading it in on a new Dodge, let them deal with the problem but after reading these comments I am thinking twice about that.
: the contact stated while driving 30 mph in 80 degree weather, the vehicle completely shut off, accompanied by a warning light on the instrument panel which read "no bus". The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, where it sat to cool down. The vehicle had previously been taken to a service dealer for the same issue. The dealer was unable to determine the problem.
I have had repeated problems with my '99 Dodge Durango that started with the engine light going on in September 27, 2005 and is now the need for a new cpm. The car intermittent stalls while riding down the road at 55mph or after idling at stop light & turning left (power steering goes out and car blocks intersection/traffic) - "no bus" appears on mileage, everything shuts off. Seems to happens on days when the environmental temperature exceeds 75 degrees and disappears once car has sat (wherever it stalled) for 20-30minutes. No diagnostic code appears when put the car is put on the computer and I was advised by more then one dealership that the problem had to get worse and produce a code before dealership or anyone else could diagnose the problem. Now that the 8 yr federal powertrain warranty has expired for me, it seems the problem is &always was that the powertrain control module (pcm) is malfunctioning &needs to be replaced. This major component is covered thru 8yrs/80,000 mi by federal law but even though problem began prior to 8th year, because this problem was not diagnosed until after my 8 yrs had been exceeded, it is now my $800-$1200 bill to pay (since sept '05, have replaced most components of coolant system, intake manifold pan gasket, head gasket &still have problem with alignment/ball joints& repeated window modulator problems).