5th Aug 2008, 14:59

I made the original entry in this column. My Durango now has 213,000 miles. Bought a couple of tires recently--oil consumption is now up to a quart between changes. Transmission locked up at 197,000 miles and I paid a repair shop more than I had spent in the previous 8 years of maintenance. Still running the original brake shoes on the rear. Replaced the water pump (100% warranty from AutoZone) at 200,000 miles. Wasn't leaking, but shaft had considerable runout.

19th Aug 2009, 19:33

The old '99 keeps on going - I made the original entry to this column. Now at 234,000 miles.

A/C-heater blower motor began intermittently squealing recently. Obviously, the fan motor bushings need oil after 10 years. Dodge dealership states that the dash must be removed, the A/C system discharged and the entire unit removed from the car to gain access to the blower motor. So does the Haynes manual. Dodge won't lubricate the motor but they will replace it. Six hours labor at $150/hour, $143 for the motor and $175 to discharge and recharge the A/C system. Over a thousand dollars for a fan motor!

I removed the glove box - no tools - it snaps in. A 5/16" box end wrench and socket got the seven screws out on the blower housing. Some you cannot see, only feel. Slid the housing downward out of the way, removed the blower wheel and removed the three 1/4" sheet metal screws that hold it in place. The motor leads are exceptionally short and soldered to the motor. Cut them in the middle and spliced in a 6" extension. Mounted motor in a vise and connected it to a battery charger. The shaft was difficult to turn by hand. Pulled 4.5 amps with no wheel. Oiled the bushings and motor current fell to 2.5 amps. Oiled some more and let it run a while. I called 1.5 amps good and reassembled the whole thing. Took three and a half hours to do this and saved over a thousand dollars. Pretty good pay (and no taxes!).

11th Jan 2010, 05:05

I don't think I'm going to buy a Durango, I've heard many negative things and many positive things. I like the fact the earlier models had the 318, which is in my opinion the best engine Dodge made. But I've heard about engine problems and transmission failure more than anything else. Kind of sad to hear MOPAR made a "crappy" vehicle.

11th Jan 2010, 13:13

I have 266000 miles on my 2003. Driven daily am driving it til engine fails. Use 1 quart of oil between 5000 mile oil changes, which come often. Jiffy lube said they see a lot of high mile Durangos. I am there many times now.

11th Jan 2010, 19:42

"Kind of sad to hear MOPAR made a "crappy" vehicle."

Most of the vehicles MOPAR makes are "crappy". I love Chrysler vehicles actually. I love their quirks. However, I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I've enjoyed the MOPAR vehicles I've owned over the years, but I will be the first to admit that they were not the most reliable vehicles I've owned.

4th Feb 2010, 06:20

I just purchased a Durango 99 SLT V8 Magnum... it has 175xxx... I paid 2500... I'm hoping this truck will last at least 2 years... Was $2500 a good price, or did I get robbed?

8th Feb 2010, 17:21

If the '99 has been maintained, you made a decent buy. You have to drive any Chrysler product for many years to get your money out of it.

Jack up the front and check for ball joint play. Remove the air intake off the top of the intake manifold and look down in it with a good flashlight. If it appears dry and reasonably clean, the gasket that has caused so many people so much expensive grief is OK.

18th Apr 2010, 19:29

How is the gas mileage of the Durango you just bought? And how's it running for you?

1st May 2010, 00:05

I just bought a 99 Durango V8 Magnum for 3995. It has 110,000 miles on it.

The alignment is off, but the dealer has an appointment to get it fixed. Is there anything I need to worry about, because I am putting 2,000 down and paying off the other 1,995, and really don't want to be paying off a vehicle that ends up dying on me.

When I test drove it, it seemed like it dropped into gear once, but didn't feel major.

5th May 2010, 01:36

Hello, I have a 1999 Dodge Durango, and I love it. I know when you take care of any car, it will go a long way, so take care of it. A Dodge Durango is just like any other car, so don't cry about, just fix it.

18th Nov 2010, 12:44

$4k is about KBB value on that vehicle. I bought one last week with 114k miles for $3400, but mine does have some rust, but not in problem areas. Also, the ABS problem is also present. Beyond that, I replaced the speakers for $200 and did a full checkup on my own for a total cost of $65.

It's a great vehicle. There are problems with it and you will put money into it over the years, but overall that is pretty much the case with any high mileage vehicle. Still, you could get 50-90,000 miles out of it without putting much more than $1000 into it which is pretty darn good. Just check out the car or have a mechanic check it out to make sure there are no major pressing issues.

I disconnected the ABS for the exact same reason others have stated. I know it shouldn't affect my transmission, but I have my suspicions that if I didn't detach it that there would be issues. It's about $900 to replace the module if you need to, but you're better off just disconnecting it in my unprofessional opinion. LOL. $4k isn't bad though. It's what it's worth.

23rd Jan 2011, 11:25

I'm just trying to find out what does it mean when you start to take off, and you don't have any take off power? Just bought on Friday.

2nd Mar 2011, 10:47

I just bought the 1999 V8 Magnum, as well.

I've never owned a Dodge, or this size engine. I have also experienced the feeling of no power, or little power, at take off. Is this normal? I plan to take it in to the shop, for a 30 pt check, just to be safe. There's also play in the steering. I think it may need an alignment. The shop is going to check that, in the next couple of days.

It's a beautiful SUV, and I only paid $3450 for it. It seems to be selling for a lot more than that. I just feel very uneasy, as a new owner. I don't know what it should sound like or act like, so it's hard to judge the condition. The engine sounds great and smooth, which gives me hope.