1999 Dodge Durango Dodge SLT from North America - Comments

First, the Fog lights did not work when purchased got that fixed, then rear driver window stopped working at 40,000 miles.

Second, Blew Head Gasket at 46,000 miles cost $1,100.00.

Third, While on Vacation Check gauges light came on and oil pressure dropped. While out of state (on Vacation!) had to stop and get it checked out. They said it was a faulty sensor $300.00 for a new sensor. Got approximately. 50 miles away Check gauge light came on again. Called dealership they said they were sure it was just another faulty sensor. "We can continue with our trip." When we got home we thought we were just going to replace another sensor for the faulty one. They determined it was working and they needed to do more diagnostics $300.00 to just to diagnose problem. Which ended up New Engine at 54,188 miles cost $4431.33.

Next, Like that isn't enough. Check engine light comes on.

Replaced:

Serpentine Belt

Distributor Cap

Ignition wires

Ignition Rotor.

Cost-$479.32

At 81,596 miles just 27,392 miles into the New Motor. By the way Not covered under any Warranty.

Now, Check gauge light came on again. 92,699 miles

apparently We need new Head Gaskets again. Here we go again. They only want $2444.00 (we choose to decline) Oh, and now the warranty is up. We only have 38,495 miles on the new engine. And the warranty was 3/36,000 miles.

Total cost. $31,080.00 for car

Repairs that should not have happened. $6,610.65

that's a $38,000. Car I should have bought a Lexus!

I expect to pay for normal repairs, oil changes,

tire rotations, brakes Etc.

I liked the look of the Durango. But, It's not the car I was expecting. I thought I was alone in this. We thought we were to blame. At least that's how the dealership made us feel.

Now I know that we are not alone and hundreds of us are having the same problems and that's only the ones who are fed up and report it. I will not buy another Dodge product again.

I am an owner of a 1999 Dodge Durango and it is a money pit.

In spite of the fact that I had my Durango maintained regularly at the dealership located in another town outside of Houston, and in spite of the fact that I had a history of great maintenance of that vehicle, I too was victimized by the same Dodge dealership who maintained my car, who told me that the engine had burned up and had to be replaced just minutes after I had picked it up from the dealership where the Durango had its yearly up-to-date maintenance.

Yes, I was under warranty, and neither the warranty company nor the dealership would take responsibility. Later, I was made aware of a technical bulletin which described the symptoms of the very problem I was experiencing with the Durango... the oil pressure had dropped and had been sucked into the manifold intake gasket.

I wonder why people always take their car to the dealership for maintenence. Dealerships are rip offs and the techs that work there are no good and only care about getting their flag time in.

Absolutely true. For starters, dealerships are like auto mechanics, there are some good ones and lots of really bad ones. Just because they sell the same car they service doesn't mean they know anything about it.

Due to circumstances I had to switch Scion dealerships to get my car serviced (they had cheap oil changes). The new dealership knew nothing about the car even though it had the same mechanicals as the Echo they had been servicing for years and that this dealership had been a Scion dealer for 2 years already!

They did a good job, but their ignorance of even basic warranty details was shocking.

Think about it.

When you take your vehicle in for repair or service, whose money are they spending? Why should they care how much it costs? Why don't they let you in the shop so you can witness what they are supposed to be doing (I've heard the "insurance" excuse)?

The obvious protection is to do your own work or have someone you implicitly trust. Then you know it is done and done correctly. You quickly learn that most dealership repair shops are parts changers and they keep changing parts till it is fixed. And you pay for all of them.

Recently heard of a Durango owner paying for new points, condenser and carburetor cleaning -- $330.

Get educated, folks. Ignorance is expensive.