1999 Dodge Durango SLT 5.9L Gasoline

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with my Dodge Durango SLT.

The balance control joy stick, for the radio, is a poor design.

General Comments:

My Durango performs well in the snow and rain. I have really appreciated the anti-lock brakes on more than one occasion.

I get 18 miles per gallon on the highway and 13 combined. Anyone that expects to do better should never have bought this type of vehicle.

Power is excellent and acceleration is smooth and strong. I will be towing a 24 foot 3500 pound boat and I expect it to perform well based on my experience with short tows so far.

The interior offers ample room to transport my family of 5 and our gear. The air conditioning does a fine job keeping us cool in the summer.

No other SUV has the aggressive look of the Durango. So far the truck has performed as well as it looks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2002

1999 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.2

Summary:

Best midsize SUV you can buy on the market

Faults:

The intake plenum gasket went bad allowing oil to go into the intake manifold and burn oil - that was replaced under warranty.

The thermostat gasket was leaking coolant - that was replaced under the warranty.

And just recently the transfer case seals were leaking and that was replaced under the extended warranty.

Plus, when first purchased the fold and tumble seats would not work right, but that was fixed 2 years ago and has been fine ever since.

Oh, and the steering column was replaced due to a clunk when turning, that was done uder warranty.

Other than those problems the Durango has been fine, never left me stranded, and I am very happy with it.

General Comments:

The Durango has great performance, puts you in the back of the seat when you floor it and spins the tires very easily.

Great looking truck, lots of room and the third row seat comes in very handy and folds flat into the floor when not in use.

I would buy another Durango if I ever decided to get rid of this one which isn't going to happen anytime soon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2002

1999 Dodge Durango SLT 8 cylinder

Summary:

Pitiful excuse for an automobile

Faults:

After 50000 miles, the oil light went on, oil pressure dropped to zero, and the engine blew up. Two rods broken.

This vehicle was maintained well ahead of manufacturer's recommendations. Oil change every 3,000 miles religiously.

I have now found dozens of complaint of the exact same thing. That means there are hundreds out there. And Dodge says NOT OUR PROBLEM.

General Comments:

The product is not good and the company REFUSES to stand behind their product.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th January, 2002

25th Jul 2002, 18:43

I have a 1999 Durango with 50,000 miles. Today, my engine blew up. The service mechanic states that the rods in the engine are now broken and that it will be necessary for me to purchase a new engine. I have documented evidence of problems with the oil sending mechanism. I have experienced oil pressure "drop-off" on different occasions. Many times this happens when I suddenly accelerate the vehicle. It is confirmed now that they have had problems with inlet screens to the oil pump. These screens must clog unusually easily.

I would like to know of additional customers that have had this problem with the Durango. Perhaps an effort can be organized to force a recall of these vehicles. Thank you.

1999 Dodge Durango SLT 5.2L

Summary:

Power, styling, and room to spare

Faults:

Right rear power window failed at 500 miles. Repaired within 2 days by the dealer under warranty and has worked fine ever since.

Power train control module had a barely noticeable flaw when shifting in rare instances - reprogrammed under warranty at 25000 miles and has not had any problems since.

Transmission speed sensor failed at 65k miles. Repaired in 1/2 a day at my cost ($20 + 1hr labor)

Rear door occasionally wouldn't lock via the keyless entry. Dealer said they could replace the latch at my cost or lubricate for nothing. I chose to have it lubricated and it works every time now.

General Comments:

I've taken my Durango over most of the dirt roads in the Northern Sierra Nevada and while it is not as nimble as a Jeep, it can hold its own.

I've towed a 3000lb trailer while the Durango was itself loaded to the hilt, over the "Grapevine" on I-5 in southern California, and I could pass anything anytime I wanted to (and I ended up getting 14mpg to boot).

It is by far the most attractive vehicle I've ever owned. People still stop me in parking lots and tell me how good it looks.

It is quick for a truck, mine accelerates 0-60 in about 8.5 seconds. And it is very nimble on country roads too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th October, 2001