30th Jul 2007, 21:25

I have a 99 Durango which we purchased new in 98. It has 60 K on it. My wife used the car for work earlier in the day. She went to leave again and as she started to back out of the driveway the truck suddenly accelerated. She jammed the brakes on and the pedal went to the floor. She managed to get it park and shut the car off. She was able to roll it back in the driveway. She called me at my office and told me what happened. I asked her to make sure that the floor mat did not get stuck in the pedal. She checked and the pedal was clear. I got home and checked everything out, and all was clear. When she pushed the pedal down, the front right break line (the steel tubing, not the hose) ruptured. I replaced it and was in the process bleeding the system. Fluid started to pour out of the left rear. The steel tubing to the rear of the car now ruptured. I'm puzzled, has anyone experienced similar problems with the break lines or sudden acceleration? When the car accelerated it left about 10 ' of rubber. Any info would be appeciated...jsnt@sprynet.com

3rd Aug 2007, 20:36

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango that we purchased in 2000. I now have nearly 120,000 miles on it and although I have had my share of problems, thankfully none as serious as those I've seen here. I did have to have the front end rebuilt (tie rods, ball joints, etc.) just a few months after we bought it, but I blame that more on the dealership I bought it from not even looking at that before we purchased, but that is another story. I am having some brake difficulties and just would like some ideas. I had new front brakes put on in March. They began making an odd noise and I had the mechanic look at it, and it appeared to be a backing plate rubbing. He fixed it and then about a month later it started again. Brakes work fine by the way. Still making the noise now, but now ABS light comes on. Took it to another mechanic who has hooked into both computers (apparently there is one specific for ABS under the hood) and is getting no error codes. He has diagnosed as an ABS sensor going bad in a wheel, but darn car wouldn't make the noise while he drove it. I think I have a gremlin, anyhow, anyone else have this problem?

19th Jan 2008, 12:10

We have a 1999 Durango we purchased 3 years ago. For those 3 years it has ran and drove perfect. I follow the maintenance schedule line for line to keep it in the best shape I can. Recently, however, our Durango has developed the same brake and transmission problems described here and in other forums. I have pulled the brakes completely apart 3 times so far and cannot find an obvious mechanical problem. The rotors and drums have been inspected and measured for warpage by certified brake shops, as well as the pads, cylinders and calipers. Our Durango has 98K miles on it. I've also noticed the oil pressure gauge problem. My ears tell me that the engine starts 'dry' with excessive bottom end noise - but just until it builds pressure. I think it's time to sell this P.O.S. A class action lawsuit might be good to consider also. You just can't ignore serious break problems that could get someone killed. Are you listening Chrysler?

27th Aug 2008, 10:49

My 1999 Durango (purchased new) has the RWAL (Rear Wheel Anti-Lock) braking system. The idiot light calls it ABS, but the vehicle does not have ABS.

RWAL utilizes a rotation sensor on each of the rear wheels and on the drive shaft. If it detects drive shaft rotation and only one of the rear wheels rotating, it "assumes" the the other rear wheel is locked and releases the brake pressure on the "supposedly locked" wheel.

Sounds good - the fallacy is that all three sensors must be calibrated equally and maintain that calibration and sensitivity. Underneath a car is not the best environment. Early indications of troubles are "pulsing" slow speed stops.

Later, in a panic stop situation, the first rear wheel that is no longer sending a signal to the RWAL sensor will have it's brake released. My Durango normally locks up the right rear first. I'm ready for that and am correcting steering to the right. The RWAL then released the right rear brake and the left rear locked. I wasn't ready for that and spun out. After three such incidents (common in the Atlanta area), I felt that I had to do something. I disabled the RWAL, installed small resistors to "fool" the circuit continuity checkers and turn off all the warning lights regarding the ABS system and took the Durango out for a "test" panic stop. Locked them up a 60MPH and slid quickly and safely to a stop with the vehicle under control. That was several years ago.

9th Oct 2008, 15:11

I have had my 99 Durango (5.9L) for 10 years now. I have 260,000 miles on it. My first troubles began at 175,000 miles. That's when I finally had to have the brakes replaced...yes, you heard me...175,000 miles before my first brake replacement. Since then I have had the computer replaced and a transmission overhaul (minor). Either I was extremely lucky or the '99 Durangos aren't as bad as everyone believes. I am also a very aggressive driver (less so now that gas is so expensive) so it isn't because I drive like an old woman...cheers!