Air conditioner made a funny "trumpet" noise when new. Dealer repaired right away.
This vehicle is rock solid and after 2 1/2+ years of ownwership does not have one rattle inside. Everything on my vehicle is in PERFECT working order.
Has a fairly soft "carlike" ride (until you hit a solid bump, then you know it's a truck).
A few of my friends that were skeptical about it, rode in it and now two of them also own Durango's.
As far as I'm concerned, particularly with the EXTENSIVE research I did before making this purchase, it's the best dollar value in the SUV market.
If you listen to the advice of the person who wrote a review and paid $40,000.00 for a Durango, you're listening to a sucker. Mine has everything except step sides and leather. I paid $28,250.
If you have any doubts, just try to find used ones in your market. There's not much of a selection because most people don't want to part with them!
You can have mine! I won't spend the $20 it would cost to try!
My husband and I have recently purchased a 1999 Durango. I am hoping to not have all the problems that I read about on here. So far I love it!
We got it at a good price I think - 21,000 and it has 29,000 miles on it.
If at all possible DODGE the Durango. My 1998 Durango SLT has only had a few problems, with only 73,000 miles it needs its second transmission. The first one failed at 31,000 miles. It was out of warranty by 2 days and they wanted me to pay half of the replacement cost. After 1 month of extensive arguments it was covered. It began leaking again after 5,000 miles. It has had oil and transmission leaks since day one. The intake manifold has been resealed twice. The engine smokes and has developed a slight knock. It beats out my Ford Tempo diesel as the worst vehicle I have ever owned. The tempo was given to me. I will most certainly dodge Chrysler products in the future.
Mine has 60,000 miles and zero oil pressure, so you just keep on living in your dream world. The oil sludge fairy will be along between 60 and 70 thousand miles to wake you up with a $4,000 repair bill.
I have read many entries about the 1999 Durango where
the owners talk about "zero" oil pressure. Anyone that operates an engine with forced lubrication that indicates zero oil pressure is risking a considerable amount of money. Pressure sensors do fail, but rarely. They are only a pressure switch to operate a light bulb. It is simple to connect a pressure gauge and see what the pressure really is. If it is going to zero and then to normal... shut it down! Get the oil pan off and inspect the oil pickup screen and pump if necessary. If sludge is present, why? Are you using detergent oil and changing it routinely? Is antifreeze disappearing? If so, where is it going?
All the activities are much simpler and cheaper than buying engines!
My 1999 Durango was purchased new. It now has 130,000 miles. Regular oil changes, but it now uses about a pint between changes. No fancy $6 a quart oil is used. I've used 30 weight detergent since the first oil change.
Quote: It beats out my Ford Tempo diesel as the worst vehicle I have ever owned. The tempo was given to me.
I owned a Ford Tempo Diesel under the exact same conditions! It was given to me (in lieu of 1 month payment of rent by a tenant), and also the worst car I ever owned...
I own a 1998 V8 Mag durango and it now has 80K I do not have any problems with it. if you want to be lazy and not maintain an SUV... THEN Don't BUY ONE... buy a bike because laziness leads to problems (no matter what kind of vehicle it is) and then you have only yourself to blame. my durango has been everywhere with me and has done nothing, but provide safety, reliability, and a smooth pleasant ride.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed 
is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site