1999 Dodge Durango SLT from North America - Comments

Hello everyone,

I am a 2001 Durango owner with 72k on it. 6 months ago the I started facing all the above problems, check gauges lights, meters freaking out and stalling suddenly... and works fine after 10/15mns... anyway a few days later I got it checked and was told it's my fuel pump (that wasn't convincing enough since it's known that fuel pumps just drop dead and don't re-function again) but changed it anyways... The car worked fine for about 2 months... and then meters started to freak out again; it didn't take few days until my battery died on me, so I got it changed and my mechanic said it's better we disconnect and bypass the alternator from the ECM... it worked just find for 3 months now...

A few days ago battery meter started increasing for no reason.. and my genius mechanic said YOU NEED a new alternator (actually the regulator inside the alternator) but we had to change the alternator cos it's sold as 1 part... Thinking I am done with my problems, my Durango's battery meter is still going up and down, causing my lights and AC to do so as well...

NOW I'll try changing the ECM/PCM, which is over $1000 in my country... I hope it works... I would appreciate if anyone can post reliable online store to buy it from since I have to ship outside the US. THANK YOU.

We are having the same stalling problem as everyone else. A couple of occasions have been a near death experience, pulling a boat on the freeway, and brakes and steering go. Is there anyone out there that knows of a recall for this problem? It's a shame that Dodge can get away with this!!

I had this problem years ago on my 99 Durango 5.9.

What we found was a bad connection on the ECM board (mine was still under warranty (80,000) ). When you get the NO BUS message, you will see that none of the gauges will work, and the car will NOT start. After some time to cool off (and it will only get worse) you will see that the gauges again work when the key is turn to the ON position. Then the car will start. You can speed up the restart by leaving the key ON, and raise the hood, then wiggle the wiring plugs at the ECM, you will hear the fuel pump relay click, and then you are ready to restart, The problem is a loose solder connection on the factory ECM, and Dodge knows this.

We've had the same problems with our 99 Durango, and found that if you take it to a reputable mechanic instead of trying to get the internet to fix it, you might just get it fixed. p.s. a word to the wise: don't tell your mechanic that "the guy at the gas station" or "the internet" told you any thing, he will just laugh at you after you leave.

I'm the owner of a 2005 Durango, and I'm having stalling problems also. I'll try the easy stuff tomorrow like fuel pump relay and checking all fuses, but I have a feeling that I'll be taking it to the mechanic Monday morning. I'm only having the idling problems that lead to stalling when stopped or slowing down fast, so I think that the IAC or TPS may need changing. Is this something that an amateur should attempt or leave to a mom and pop mechanic shop? The truck shut off on me three or more times while trying to take my wife out to dinner... so embarrassing!!

After reading many comments about the NO BUS signal and dealing with the issue for 3 summers, we have figured out several things. It used to happen when the outside temp reached 85 degrees. We ran an air duct from the grill to the computer mounted on the passengers side fender well. This allowed us to drive about 15 miles with outside temp reaching 89 degrees without issue. Now we have an igloo cooler cut down and placed over the computer, which allows us to drive about 25 miles in 89 degree temp. If we are going father than 25 miles, we carry ice in another cooler in the car. We will pack a bag of ice on top of the computer under the cut up cooler. This allows us to drive until the ice melts and we need to stop and ice the computer again. At least we are adventuring out way from home. Still rent a car when we go out of state in the summer months.

Next step is to build a box to seal off the computer and run a line from the A/C unit into the box. If it is hot outside, we are running the A/C and it should keep the enclosed computer cool enough to drive. Looking forward to fall when the temp drops below 85 so I can enjoy driving to work (46 miles one way) without stalling 3 times before I get home.

Got to love Dodge for stepping up to the plate on this one. Anyone interested in filing a class action suit to be reimbursed for our lost time and money. I read about near misses, how many have not been as luck as us, how many have been hit because the 99 Durango with the 5.9 just dies in temp over 85 degrees?

I just bought a used 99 Durago YESTERDAY with 160,000 miles on it. After showing the truck off to friends and family, I discovered it won't start. Read NOBUS, the fuel read empty when I knew it had a full tank. Luckily a friend of the family is a mechanic who knew to remove the plugs form the EMC and replace a few moments later. After reading these comments I'm not even going to try to fix it. I commute to school every day and have no interest in playing chicken with my life in traffic. Dodge should be ashamed. This is why folks don't buy American made anymore, I know I won't ever again.

I too have experienced the stalling out with my 99 Dodge Durango in this last month. I have had it well over a year and had no problems, but last month it just went brain dead in the middle of intersection. The day before, it died with no warning. I let it sit for 20 minutes, it came back and it started. Didn't think anything of it until the next day it died in traffic. No bus came on, and my gauges went crazy while being towed.

Well a month of trying to find a PCM for it and a lot frustration later, I found one. Well it is doing it just as bad now as before.

I got in, check engine light is on and it has never been on. Mechanic checked it, says it's the transmission solenoid.

My Durango has NEVER thrown a engine code, then when driving it in the mechanics parking lot, it doesn't shift, and my check gauges light came on. When I parked it, the gauges went dead, and when I put it back in reverse, it was fine and then back in park, it stalled out and died. We checked the battery and alternator, both are not charging and are reading really low volts.

So MY question is has anyone had luck with changing the sensors afterwards? Cause the mechanic thinks it's the PCM and I really don't wanna spend the money on shipping it across country a third time. GRR I am a Dodge person, but am totally beside myself that this is such a problem and they ignore it. SHAME on you Dodge, Shame on you.

I also have a 1999 Dodge Durango, and being a single mother on unemployment, I don't have a lot of money to spend on different ways to "possibly" fix the problem.

My Durango has 125,000 miles on it, I bought it used in 2006 with 76,000 miles on it. With the exception of the gas mileage issue, this truck has always ran like a champ.

About 2 months ago, while in stop and go traffic, it stalled on me. After a couple of minutes it started right up, no problem. A month later I was on the freeway going 65 when it just died. Luckily I was in the right lane and was able to coast to the shoulder. 5 minutes later it started and I drove it right home, terrified.

2 weeks after that it stalled on the expressway, luckily I was in the right lane (on purpose, in case it did it again) It's happened several times since then, and it takes longer and longer to start back up. Now I won't even drive it. I've been told it was the fuel filter, but now after finding this website, I'm more confused than ever in what should be my first approach to solving this problem. I can't afford to replace all of the parts mentioned on this site that people have replaced, with and without success. I even checked the relay box, looking for the ASD relay, but couldn't find it, since the diagram in my owner's manual doesn't match what's really in the relay box.

Any suggestions? I still owe 4 payments on this truck, and am having to find rides back and forth to school.

1999 with 140k, owned since new.

Had transmission rebuilt a few months back (~$2200) when 2nd gear band material failed.

Recently had the "no bus" stalling issue. Would start back up once the gas gauge read properly. Did not seem to be a heat issue as it happened immediately after sitting in the shade for hours. Changed crank position sensor and Idle Air Control motor, but it did not help. They had enough miles on them they were due to be changed anyway.

Installed new cam position sensor and a new PCM/ECM (book calls it PCM, others call it ECM) from autocomputerexchange.com (~ $250) and the problem has gone away.

Very happy with the truck other than the no-bus issue. If you have this issue focus on the PCM and the 5v sensors, and you should be able to find the issue without spending too much money. It sounds like the PCM fixes it for about 90% of the people, and the other 10% are a mixture of Cam/Crank position sensors, harness, or governor solenoid. Due to the nature of the issue, the computer is confused, so no codes are recorded. And the issue does not produce a solid failure mode which also makes it difficult to troubleshoot. What is very frustrating is that Dodge does not own up to the problem AND it seems as if their mechanics have never seen it.

Overall, the maintenance costs on this SUV have been reasonable. 10 years and 140k is about all I expect from an automatic in a larger vehicle. It still drives fantastic.

Same No Bus issue with security issue comment.

I have been experiencing this for some time. At first it seemed to be tied to the security system. I bypassed the autoshutdown relay with a short jumper and that fixed the stall except it will drain the battery over the course of a couple of days if you are not driving it. At some point the problem moved beyond this simple fix and it now looks like I need a new computer.

We've been having stalling problems for close to a year now, and the fear factor is intense. I have stalled out driving on the highway and luckily made it to safety -- stalled out in the middle of making a left turn in a six lane road and luckily had my husband with me who helped maneuver the steering so I could prevent hitting a car pulling out where I was trying to maneuver into. Dealer is playing stupid, and luckily Firestone mechanics have been willing to help.

Although stalling less, I am still not finished, and after replacing battery, radiator cap/motor/wiring, PCV valve, air filter, ignition wires, cleaned fuel injectors, crank/crankshaft position sensor, fuel pump relay, idle air control motor and finally the PCM, the car still wants to stall and forget using the AC -- just makes it worse.

Only things left are the camshaft position sensor, manifold absolute pressure sensor, intake air sensor, engine coolant sensor, oxygen sensor,? stepper motor and the throttle position sensor. Have I left anything out?

Everyone seems to have had a problem with one or more of the above -- some luckily with results. Wish I were one. Cost $4,500 to date. Yep, American isn't what it used to be -- we should be ashamed. Dodge, are you reading this?

Well it sounds to me that all the "bad apples" found this site.

My back brakes smoked once... forgot the emergency brake release LOL.

135k, haven't had any problems with my 1999 Dodge Durango SLT 4x4 5.9ltr. You've got to realize you're driving a very heavy SUV here. Even if it does feel like a regular car, it's not!!! Drive it like a truck, a large heavy vehicle regardless of its Cadillac relativity and characteristics because that's what it is, a big truck.

Dodge Jeep Chrysler is an excellent manufacturer... if you got a bad apple,. Get. Rid. Of. It!!! There's some bad seeds in all aspects of life, not just "the Durango"

BTW... ABS problems? Unplug it under the hood; silver box, larger plug and use your good old common sense when braking. What did we do before ABS or rwal?...just slam into each other? I think not!!!

Justin, Clearwater, FL