20th Nov 2008, 21:14
I just bought a 99 Dodge Durango 5.9L last week. Seems to be running fine with 115k miles on it. I am reading a lot of your posts about them and I must say no car is perfect. You can find one that lasts forever out of a normal line, but it's the exception and not the rule.
I love the way the Durango sounds, drives, handles, and the looks I get from people driving hybrids when I tell them I have a 5.9L V8 Magnum is just priceless LOL.
Anyhow, Dodge has been in financial downfalls for years and I don't see them doing a recall anytime soon, as last I heard as of Nov 7th 2008 GM was preparing to buy them out and do a merger, but it was put on hold while GM fixes some money issues of their own.
The fact remains I love my Dodge, and even if it gives me problems, I will fix them as they come up. I have owned over 30 vehicles, from derby cars to sports cars, and nothing is ever problem free. They are just like people; every car dies, only they don't stay dead if someone with the money is willing to resurrect them.
26th Dec 2008, 09:35
We own a 2WD 99 Dodge Durango and have had few problems, we are currently at 110K miles.
28th Mar 2009, 21:13
I just bought 1999 SLT Durango with 140000 miles. It had hit a deer and the insurance company totaled it, and the owner bought it to fix but gave up. He said it has been great and never had a problem, besides the ABS light. Interior is mint, everything works. Paid 650.00, and $700 parts from ebay and 500.00 labor cost. Hope to use it to tow boats and not put too many miles on it besides. Hope I don't have any other problems with it.
I don't know if I would have paid much more for it. I am used to driving 4.6 Fords and Mercury Fox bodies that last forever with little cost. They will hit 200,000 easy. A sensor here and that will be it.
3rd Aug 2009, 15:50
I have a 98 Durango 4X4 and love it. I found this forum while researching problems with shifting, and believe it is the speed sensor. My biggest problem with the Durango is that it doesn't have positraction. I had to walk away from it in the deep snow at our remote mountain ranch last winter because one tire was spinning, and the others wouldn't move. My next car WILL have traction control!
19th Dec 2009, 08:52
I own a 2002 Dodge Durango and have had it for about 5 years now. Other than brakes replaced, I have had no issues with mine until now. I got the engine light on, ABS/Brake light is on and also my speedometer doesn't work either. It stalled on me twice yesterday while driving home, but started right up. Also power steering is leaking, so looks like some money will be put out now.
My mechanic will be looking at it Monday, he already coded it for me and it says large vacuum leak, and he seems to think speed sensor and ABS sensor need to be replaced. Couldn't have happened at a worse time with Christmas right around the corner.
10th Apr 2010, 17:54
I have a 98 Durango money pit. Lifted, 35 inch tires. Multiple sets of upper and lower ball joints, pre and post lift.
Transmission at 74,500, right before the warranty ran out thank goodness.
I have gone through multiple batteries about one per year.
Gone through multiple window relays.
ABS/brake light on all the time.
Speedo occasionally works above 40-50.
Oh yeah, forgot about the A/C compressor went around 65xxx.
2 brake jobs already.
The odometer says 102xxx, but the funny part is it has more than this due to the speedo rarely working.
Lemon for sure. Sell, sell, sell!
13th Apr 2010, 09:05
I own a 2001 Durango on 24" rims and air ride suspension.
I recently got a no bus code on my mileage gauge. I tried using a used ECU and had no luck. 550 for a new one, 60 to flash it, do not use a used ECU.
Overall I've had this for a little while, and it runs smooth. I've had a couple of issues, but took care of them quick.
If you would like to see my crazy rango, come to my car domain and vote... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3252932/2001-dodge-durango
I changed out every sensor and part I could; lots of cash involved.
5th May 2010, 17:40
To everyone who posts positive comments on 99 Durangos: you obviously are not keeping an open mind and taking into consideration the numerous warnings from others who are trying to help you.
Sure, everything is fixable on any vehicle... if you're willing to deal with an unbelievable computer glitch and poor engineering.
Our hope is that you listen, because you do have the same vehicle with the same computers, sensors, engines, drivetrain, etc. and no matter how much preventive maintenance you do, it will happen. When it does, you will be kicking yourselves for not listening. You will be thinking about this when you are forced to, and you will have to decide on dumping money or not.
If yours is running fine, it will not hurt you to trade or sell. As a matter of fact, it's the perfect time to get rid of your future stress/money issues. Don't let this happen to you!!!
And for those of you who think this vehicle handles great, try driving a Tahoe or Yukon, or something different. You will be surprised at how much you've been missing out on.
Every time I see a Durango, I can't help feeling bad for the person, especially when it looks like they are enjoying the vehicle, because I know where they are headed and I'm very fortunate that it's them and not me.
Be smart, use your God-given brain and trade or sell. You will, with no doubt about it, be sorry if you don't.
To all of you mechanics out there: trust me, I also am a master tech and dirt mod racer. I thought I could resolve each issue that came along; for a while it worked, but then I was forced to question if it's worth it. Most cars, yes. Durango, no way Jose. You seriously are asking for financial losses when things start to go wrong, and it starts affecting the computer. It's all down the tubes from there.
p.s. This SUV handles like a turd. Stop kidding yourselves and try a Ford or Chevy!!!
22nd Dec 2010, 19:38
I kick myself when my wife isn’t kicking me about our Durango. In 2000 when I bought it I thought it looked good, but now with 124K on it… it has had 5 transmissions. 1st when new, 2nd at 52K, 2000 miles out of warranty and they wouldn’t cover it, 3rd at 102K, 4th at 113K and now #5 at 124K under warranty.
It had the ball joint recall done, but pulled so hard to the right when they gave it back to me, I said never again.
While they did the ball joints, I asked them to change the t-stat and dropped pieces into the water pump, which destroyed it and had to have it changed along with the other ball joints. Had to have the rack and pinion replaced, brakes were toast at 20K and 40k with original rotors…. Got smart and went with after-market drilled discs, which are fine with 75K on them without warping. And yeah, I have the brake/ABS speedo issue going on… I need a vehicle to pull my boat, and with over $10K in repairs I would never get it back, so I have kept it… at least I have oil pressure and 3 of 4 windows work…
29th Sep 2008, 18:15
I have a 2001 Durango 4x4. I am having a problem with my "Service 4WD" dash light coming on, and subsequently the lights on the 2WD/4HI/4LO/N switch will flash or stay on solid.
I had it looked at at a well known chain, and today took it into the dealership. Both places told me that there is no code, and the modules are checking out fine.???