1999 Dodge Durango SLT review from North America

The original wiper blades had disintegrated by 40,000 miles. I do not live in snow and ice country.

The original tires (Goodyear) had become so noisy by 80,000 miles that conversation in the vehicle was impossible at highway speeds. There was no unusual wear. These were replaced with a standard automobile tire set with a 35,000 mile warranty. The silence was almost unbearable. These tires now have 50,000 miles with no unusual wear.

At 54,000 miles, the camshaft position sensor failed and stranded the family on a rainy night. This was an extraordinarily expensive piece of plastic.

At 64,000 miles, a sudden stream of water appeared running of the water pump shaft. Since there had been no "warning" drips, I investigated with a mirror and flashlight. I found a trail of water coming from underneath the A/C compressor. Then I saw the end of the heater bypass hose. Much work was required to gain access to this $1.00 hose. The replacement hose was twice as thick and braided.

The power steering pump failed at 91,000 miles. Easy, but expensive, replacement. The serpentine belt was replaced at this time due to wear and cracks.

At 92,000 miles the transmission speed sensor failed. Another extraordinarily expensive piece of plastic!

At 96,000 miles, I inspected the rear drum brake shoes. They were 50% worn away.

At 98,000 miles, the Rear Wheel Antilock Brake system sensor on the differential failed. This unit had been failing for some time as my vehicle speedometer would not operate until higher and higher speeds were reached. This also caused rough transmission shifting.

The front brake pads were replaced for the first time at 111,000 miles.

I have also experienced repetitive problems with the front passenger door window drive motor. The gearbox on this unit sticks. A light rap with a small hammer frees it up, but getting to it is a nuisance. A replacement unit requires a home equity loan.

I have had no oil sludge, oil pressure loss or antifreeze problems.

The major concern I had with this vehicle is a safety issue. The Rear Wheel Anti-lock Brake system utilizes a speed pickup on each rear wheel and one on the differential. If the system detects drive shaft motion and a "stopped" wheel, it assumes the brake is locked and releases the brake on that wheel. The fallacy in that is the sensitivity of the speed pickups. The first "panic" stop I had to make in this vehicle was frightening. The right rear wheel locked (as is normal on a rear wheel drive vehicle). I was prepared for that and corrected with the steering wheel. Then the antilock braking system released that wheel and the left rear locked. I was not ready for that and lost control. Fortunately, other drivers avoided my spinning vehicle. The second time, I finally stopped sideways in the oncoming lane. Thankfully, there was no oncoming traffic. The next time I found myself in a ditch. This was enough. I could no longer drive a vehicle that I was afraid to brake. I disconnected the plug for the wiring to the two antilock solenoids. This caused a "Christmas tree" of idiot lights to illuminate in the dash. I installed two one watt resistors on the plug coil connections to fool the circuit continuity checker and the lights extinguished. Several months later, I slid to a stop when another driver in the inside lane decided he wanted to get off the interstate at the exit we just passed. I stayed in my lane, made a lot of tire smoke; but I stopped safely and quickly. I also remembered my high school and college physics courses. Sliding friction is much greater than rolling friction. Detroit seems to have forgotten that.

Would I buy another Durango? Yes. My wife wants one also.

I've never owned any car that didn't have some sort of nagging problem. Despite Detroit's claim that millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours are devoted to vehicle development, one wonders why simple problems that were solved many decades ago continue to reoccur.