11th Oct 2001, 13:11

I own a 1999 Dodge 2500 4X4. I recently noticed decreased performance and my oil consumption was like my fuel. Turns out it was my intake manifold leaking. I had it fixed and my truck ran like brand new. Now, 2 thousand miles later; it has started again. Somebody help me!

13th Oct 2001, 21:28

Took my 99 Dodge Durango into the dealership - same problem, intake plenum gasket leaking oil into the manifold intake, dealer told me 6 hours labor cost $760, but on the web site it says 3 hours labor. Also told me the serpentine belt needed replacement for a cost of $160, I replaced it myself and it only cost me $40. I probably will never buy another Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep product again.

10th Jul 2002, 12:14

My 3.9L 1999 Dakota has been in a Dodge service center 4+ times. The "Ping" is is still there and my gas mileage & horse power are DROPPING. Why do some have this "PING" problem and some DON'T? Can the Dodge engineers come up with a solution?

See my story at www.DontDoDodge.8m.com

8th Aug 2002, 14:17

I own a 99 dodge durango. In the last six months I have put $850 into it for several different things. The last was one week ago and it cost me $277 for brakes and rotors. brakes never gave any warning that there was a problem till it was to late and we had to replace the rotors. Took a trip in it last sunday and when cruise was set it was cutting out bad. Monday when my husband got in it the check engine light came on. So here goes more money into something that is only 3years old. We have a 93 grand am that has had less done to it in 10 years than this durango has had in 6 months. I loved it at first because of the space. Now I hate it.

17th Jun 2003, 22:34

Just bought my 1st 99 Durango under 30K. Boy, was I floating on cloud nine. My dream auto. Suddenly 2wks later the cloud exploded and I ended up face first in the dirt.

1) Rear windows won't roll down.

2) A/C don't blow cold no more.

3) Transmission makes an awful clunk when I put it in gear.

4) And the water pump went out!? AT 28K!!???

Good News- the dealer is fixing all of this at no cost to me! What a few tears will do!!! But, gosh! what next! I believe I'll ask to have the plenum gasket replaced before another cloud bursts. Not sure if I want this auto back!

24th Jul 2003, 10:09

I am also disappointed in my 1999 Durango. One rear window does not go down. The driver window stopped working for about a week and then started working again. I am trying to find information about a recall regarding the front suspension falling apart. I also am having a problem with the idle speed. Too many problems. I will buy American again, but not Dodge.

10th Jan 2004, 13:50

I own a 2001 Durango R/T that I purchased at just under 25000 miles last year. Two concerns since then: 1. When using the cruise control on the highway, the RPM will suddenly start jumping up as if the transmission is slipping. I don't have any idea what this could be. 2. The front end will shake/vibrate when I take off initially and turning from a stopped position. This will go away after about 100 yards. A beautiful truck, but there appear to me some unanswered question on the part of the company. I hope they come clean about problems before a bunch of people get hurt!

18th Jul 2004, 08:19

I have had two dodge Ram Van trucks with the 5.2 Magnum engine and both have had serious engine problems. On my 93 the engine was destroyed when I bought it. Three cylinders were scored and two pistons broken. I purchased a used 5.2 from a re-cycler and it also had a leaking plenum gasket. Now I have a '99 Ram Van 1500 with the 5.2 Magnum. 50 miles from the dealership it started leaving a cloud of oil smoke and detonating.

The problem on all three was a leaking plenum pan gasket. it appears the plenum cover plate is too thin to resist the full manifold vacuum so it flexes slightly every time the throttle is depressed. In time the gasket and cover are fatigued by the constant flexing and the rubber is extruded out from the joint. As explained by others on this site, detonation begins (oil is a low octane fuel) and engine damage occurs.

My local dodge dealer sold me an improved gasket and an improved aluminum cover. When the new cover arrived it was identical to the old too-thin one so I made a new cover from 1/2 inch thick 6061 aluminum and fitted it with the improved gasket. I know this one will not flex!

What seems inexcusable to me is that Chrysler has not seen fit to improve the cover stiffness in six years of production. This is a very expensive failure!

31st Aug 2004, 12:41

I have a 1999 Durango SLT with the 5.9 motor - 60K miles. I do not tow anything, nor do I abuse my vehicle. I have had the ball joints replaced twice. They are noted as a wear and replace item in the owner's manual (interesting). I've also had the rear differential explode, so a brand new one of those. Steering shaft was replaced - slippage in there. On the motor side it knocks and pings all the time when hot. Already had the manifold gasket replaced, but to no avail. Someone told me to look into replacing the EGR valve. I haven't had that checked yet. I've also had both seatbelts in the third row seat come undone from their mounting brackets (stitching in seatbelts actually failed). Both have been replaced. It would not be a stretch to think I am unhappy with this vehicle. Glad I got that extended warranty.

9th Dec 2004, 17:29

I have had to replace the intake manifold plenum twice. Once at about 40k miles, and now again at 84k miles. TSB is 09-05-00. I'm really frustrated with Dodge. They refuse to acknowledge that this is a design flaw. If you take into account the # of owners who have had this problem, the cost to consumers could literally be in the millions of dollars.

17th Oct 2005, 10:18

My 1999 dodge Durango runs excelent no problems don't no why all of you are complaining.

25th May 2006, 16:27

Well, with all the people complaining, there are bound to be at least one or two without problems. It does seem rather funny that most of the problems described here, I am also experiencing. Same year, same engine model, and same set of problems. I don't think that this could all be coincidence.