2nd to the worst vehicle I have ever owned, the k-car (not by choice) still holds that top honor.
Rear ABS didn't work since new, dealer won't fix under warranty, Chrysler's 5 star customer service is deplorable.
Been involved in three rear end accidents, front brakes have been replaced three times (not under warranty, dealer maintains there is nothing wrong) as they warp after about 300 miles. The brake failures result in uneven tirewear after about 2000 miles.
The transmission started leaking at 25000 miles. Dealer still claims no problems. Have replaced the transmission at 60k, the new one now leaks.
The fuel pump has not worked since new, Dealer claims no problems.
The rear window stopped working. Dealer got the window in the up position but did not have the parts to fix. When they did, they looked at my mileage (now out of warranty) and refused to fix it under warranty. Invoice from the first repair did not have mileage on it.
The oil pump failed at 45k miles.
The manifold gaskets needed replacement at 59k.
The oil pan gasket needed replacement at 84k.
The fan still roars and running the heater in winter has always felt like sitting naked in a frozen meat locker with your right foot on fire.
Dealer has managed to fix the rattling cigarette lighter.
Chrysler customer service offered their condolences, but nothing else.
Will not drive this vehicle with passengers. I drive it as little as possible, never in the rain!
Chrysler, if you're listening...
I have swayed the decisions of a lot of people to buy other SUV's rather than any of yours. I have swayed the decisions of people buying Chrysler products in general. I will keep my children, spouse, parents, in-laws, friends, co-workers, relatives, grandchildren (when I have them), and even people on the street from buying the crud you're peddling to the American people...
Have a nice day.
I would like to know how a vehicle can run 110,000 miles and never hav an operational fuel pump...?
A lot of people are always asking: My dealer is giving me the run-around, so what do I do?
This is the answer I generally give:
Call Chrysler and have them open a case file on your vehicle. This will give you a record of your case with the company. The number is 1-800-992-1997.
Call the Zone Rep and open a case file with him or her. The Zone Rep is often the most influential person in getting money to fix your vehicle.
Call NHTSA and CAS and file complaints with them, especially with NHTSA if you are having a problem like transmission, air conditioning or ABS failure. The more complaints they get, the more likely that they will investigate and order a recall, and the more likely you'll get your money back. The more people that call, the more likely something will get done! In addition, someone like CAS can put pressure on the company to fix the problem.
National Highway Traffic Safety Institute: 1-800-424-9393
Center for Automotive Safety: (202) 328-7700
Inform the media! Consumer Reports, local media (if your area is small enough)...let them know how bad you are being treated by Chrysler and it's dealerships!
Be persistent! The more you complain, the more likely stuff will get fixed! Call all the time, annoy the hell out of them. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Save all paperwork! If you do pay for something, and it's later recalled, Chrysler will have to refund your money provided you have your receipts!
If they don't want to refund your money, call NHTSA and tell them the recall isn't being fulfilled. They'll fix that fast.
It's not easy owning a Chrysler, we all know that (otherwise, you wouldn't be looking at this page). But hopefully, if you keep at them, you'll get some sort of satisfaction.
I did own a 1999 Dodge Durango with 94,000 miles. We bought this car new. This is the worst car I have ever had. The problems started in 2002. The transmission started slipping, and the oil pump went bad, that caused the motor to seize up, and numerous other things went bad. I could get no help from anyone at Dodge. I contacted the dealer, and the zone management. Their advice was for us to pay to have it fixed. We stilled owed money on the car, but our lender, US Bank, would not help either. We have been married for 30 years and this is the first time we have had a mark on our credit. We could not make a $9,000.00 repair while owing $20,000.00 on the loan. We could not get rid of the car it was undrivable. We were paid up on our monthy loan balance, but when we turn the car into the bank they put us down as a repo. We are in a credit night mare.
I have a '99 Dodge Durango that has had a brake problem since day one - the Durango won't stop when moving between 5-10 mph and I have to make an urgent stop. The Durango keeps going as if on ice and has resulted in 2 rear-enders and 2 lawsuits.
The dealer has never been able to repair the problem, although they have replaced an ABS sensor.
Has anyone else had a similar problem?
If so, please reply to this forum.
I purchased a 1999 Dodge Durango "new" with 1611 miles in September 1999. I had a problem right away. As I approached an intersection the light turned amber and I pushed the brakes hard since the light was turning red. The brakes did this thunking with jerking and locked up and I skid into the intersection with my two precious cargo in the back seat. I took it into the dealership to have it checked. They told me it was fine and insinuated that I let up on the brake pad. I thought, now why would I let up on the brake going into a changed light intersection and try to kill myself and my babies? I have been into the dealership at least 5 times after that and they still keep telling me that it is fine. The men there made like I didn't know how to drive and that It was NORMAL for it to thunk, jerk and skid. One time I was there and they changed out parts in the front and back for 45 minutes while I watched out through the window and they then denied that they changed anything and all fine fine again. I went into the dealership again today 4/30/03 since it's still happening and now has this hit and miss feeling in the brakes when I apply pressure. They once again said it was fine and that the computer shows nothing wrong. The service guy tells me once again that what it was doing was NORMAL. I became very upset and told him "you mean that when my children and I are in the vehicle and some person rips out in front of me and I have to slam my brakes to keep from hitting the person and my brakes do their thunking, jerking and then skids into the person the ripped in front of me that this is perfectly normal, or when that light changes and I need to hit the brakes to keep from going into the intersection and it does its usual and we skid into the intersection and get creamed or possible killed your going to tell my husband that it's NORMAL? He then took the car out for a test drive with his head mechanic and came back and said "oh, yeah its got a problem all right, I think the ABS is overreacting. I need to get someone over here from Chrysler and see what to do since it doesn't show up on the diagnostic tests, oh and your warranty is now up by the 3 years, not by mileage since its only 31,000. So now it is in the dealerships hands to rip me off for a problem that I have had since the first month of owning this truck. HELP!!!
I don't own a dodge durango, but I do own a 1999 dodge ram. Currently I am experiencing the same braking problems. Especially in the rain or wet weather, when I apply the brake it will thunk, jerk, and skid. I have checked the brakes several times and they appear to be fine. Right now my major concern is my engine. The 5.2l is about to give out at 73,000 miles. It is smoking and using oil. Since my last oil change about 1500 miles ago, it has used 2 1/2 quarts of oil. I was thinking about purchasing a durango for my wife and new baby. But now I am beginning to wonder if that is a good idea. Unfortunately, I am in the same boat as a lot of others. I owe 18,000 for the truck and dealers only want to give about 11,000. OUCH!
In response to the lady with the two children and the
erratic brakes:
If your vehicle has RWAL (rear wheel antilock
brakes), ensure that your speedometer is operating
correctly. Does it indicate your speed when traveling less than 5 miles per hour? If so, it is more sensitive that the two rear wheel pickups. This causes the RWAL to activate as it sees a turning driveshaft and no wheel rotation. The RWAL detects this as "lockup" of the rear wheels and releases the rear brakes. This causes the
stop-start sensation. Just wait until you have to make a panic stop at high speed! The vehicle will quickly be out of control.
Aloha All;
In regards to the Durango, I own a 1998 5.2L Mag SLT. The engine according to the Dodge is blown and needs a new one for 6300.00 US. I basically told them where to go (and not a nice place) got on the net researched TSB. There is a lot of good info out there, you can fix a lot of the problems yourself if out of warranty like I am. Long storry short, I've changed the Plenum pan gasket cost of part 40.00 labor was free cause I did the work. In short if you know there is a problem don't let anyone tell you there isn't!
Aloha From Hawaii.
Hawaii you are absolutely right plenum gasket if youve got a 5.2 and its using oil change the plenum gasket will solve sludge problem and burning oil smoking problem too many have paid for new engines when they need not have.
Thank you for this comment. I currently drive a honda, with no problems at all. But I was considering buying a durango for a change, and power, but after reading these comments I have deffinitly changed my mind. Stick with imports, they last for ever!
I wrote the post dated Feb. 2004. I disabled my RWAL after losing control of the car on three occasions during a high-speed stop.
The next time it happened, I cam to a fast, sliding, straight and quick stop in control of the vehicle.
The RWAL is a decent idea, but it depends too much on the sensitivity of exposed rotation sensors remaining accurate and stable. Not going to happen on a vehicle driven in all types of weather.
Well I have a good thing to say about my Durango...
I am the second owner of a 1999 dodge durango 5.2 liter 4x4... no problems at all at the moment it has 100000 miles on her and still runs strong! My truck has the original ball joints and thier just now going bad. I have done all the maintanince on my truck (I'm a Mechanic at a Chevy dealer and am ASE cerified in Hydraulic braking systems) and I can say that these trucks are tough! Like every brand of truck no matter Ford, Chevy, or Dodge they will have thier problems... the majority of Trucks will make thier owners happy, but unfortunatly you the posts above there will aloways be the oddball that will dissapoint thier owners... I think it is foolish and childish that a car owner would not even concider buying a vehicle from a car company that they had one or even a couple bad expierences with... Even if you have had a bad expierence with a dealer, that's not a refelction on the car company, just the dealer... take it to aother because for every dealer that dosent want to take care of you there are 10 that want your business and are very willing to please you.
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