1999 Dodge Durango SLT 5.9

Summary:

Nice looking and handles well, but expensive

Faults:

The engine blew up and threw a rod out of the oil pan after 68000 miles. On removing the oil pan, I noticed the oil was like thick jelly. I regularly changed the oil. I flew an engine to my home and installed it myself for 1700 dollars.

On a recent State Inspection I was informed that the Durango needed upper and lower Ball Joints, I went ahead with this and it cost me $550. On collection of the vehicle they also said the next time the truck comes in for State Inspection I will need to buy front brake disks.

Last week the front oil crank seal behind the dampener needed to be replaced. Garage repair price was over $200. I bought the seal for $10.50 and installed it myself.

The left side power window does not work now and am awaiting a price.

I have also replaced front shocks, due to severe cupping not related to balance or alignment.

There is a loud noise coming from the engine compartment when I accelerate, sounds like loud wind noise, cannot find anyone who can hear it, but me.

General Comments:

Very fast vehicle.

Could quite possibly pull a house.

Very good in snow, but rear end slides severely in wet conditions.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st August, 2002

1999 Dodge Durango XLT 4X4 5.2 V8

Summary:

The Dream Machine

Faults:

At approx. 45,000 miles my rear left brake locked up. Malfunction of part, paid for by warranty.

At 75,000 miles rear air conditioner developed a leak, which seems to have fixed itself as I couldn't get the work done at that time (needed the vehicle for use) and it no loner leaks.

The ley to success maintenance maintenance maintenance, these autos are great, but you have to service them.

General Comments:

I love this SUV!

We have four kids, plenty of room for passengers, baggage, toys etc.

Plenty of power ports for portable video games.

Enough room that now when "grandpa" comes we don't have to take two cars to dinner.

The interior has held up to not only the kids, but the dogs and bales of hay, grain, a bunny, a move, sheets of plywood and on one occasion chickens.

We can drive our steep pastures to feed horses and get turned around amongst the trees (wheel base turn ratio is awesome).

Steep, windy mountain roads it handles like a sports car.

Hauls our two and three horse trailer up the same steep windy mountain roads as good or better than our Chevy Truck! (Which it also pulled out of the muddy pasture last winter when the truck got buried up to the axle)

We have hauled over two tons NO PROBLEM! Three tons and the steep road to our house gets it huffing and puffing, but it made it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th July, 2002

1999 Dodge Durango

Summary:

I will buy another.

Faults:

30, 000 miles plenum gasket blew.

33, 000 miles left rear power window motor went.

52, 358 miles transfer case seals needed to be replaced.

General Comments:

I love this car! My friend owns a Expedition, I was able to be the captain one day and felt I was going to lose control. My Durango is smooth and roomy. Gas well she enjoys her fuel 13 to 14 miles per gallon. The 318 has lots of power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th June, 2002

13th Aug 2003, 16:16

Did you fix the power window motor yourself, or did you take it to the dealership? I recently bought a 99 D with the 360, and the left rear window is also dead in mine. Just wondering if you had an avenue to parts, as I cannot find a motor anywhere, and I'm trying to avoid the dealer's 200% markup.

1999 Dodge Durango SLX 5.2

Summary:

Too expensive, more money out of pocket for repairs

Faults:

Battery replaced at 12,000 miles, Tire blew out at 14,000 Intake Manifold replaced at 27,000 window motors replaced at 25,000 & 32,000 engine blew out at 37,000 latch on glove box broke at 19,000 latch on console broke at around 20,000.

General Comments:

Dodge Durango is a beauty inside and out, but where it matters the most, under the hood it's junk. I always tell people who are interested in buying one they need to find a reliable mechanic because the "so called mechanics" at the dealer are good for nothing. They will fix your vehicle the cheapest and easiest way they can. Meaning if the repairs call for an oil change following a repair, forget it, they won't do it, as in my case with my intake manifold, being changed they did no oil/coolant change after resulting in coolant mixing in with the oil and causing the pistons to be "eaten away". And the service manager R. Martinez at Capitol Dodge in San Jose, Calif comment to us was "it was under warranty when the service was done, but I didn't pay for an oil change so why would they do it". As my father put it to him (my father is a mechanic with 35 years plus experience ) "That's like taking a shower and putting back on the same dirty clothes". You need to put clean new oil/coolant in after the repairs are made when called for. Chrysler is no help either, they say sue the dealer, the dealer says sue Chrysler. We are suing the dealer for doing the faulty work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd May, 2002