1999 Dodge Durango SLT from North America - Comments

I also have a 1999 SLT, 150K on the ODO and it started the stalling thing today... in the drive through at a fast food place it just shut itself off and displayed the "No bus" message in the mileage, gas/oil/etc. dropped to zero. Luckily there was a shop next door and I was able to get a push, or so I thought. The only codes they got out of the diagnostic were in regard to the anti-theft system. About 30 minutes later it magically started again, thanks for the $200 sir your car is running fine now.

Fast forward 2 hours. I'm on the freeway with my infant son in the back and wammo no more power steering or brakes or anything while I'm doing 65 MPH...after reading this thread I fear for my life now.

If you fear for your life trade it in on a Tahoe, they're more reliable!

I have a 2000 Dodge Durango 5.9 with the same issue. I have been dealing with this issue now for 13 months, and spent quite a bit of time troubleshooting the problem. It has stalled numerous times while in rush hour traffic and coasting over a few lanes in bumper to bumper traffic before losing all momentum is no easy or safe chore. I cannot let my wife drive this vehicle because that is a serious safety issue!

No Bus on the dash, no gauges, and no fire from the coil.

Here's the deal. The computer won't scan for codes, because the problem is in the computer's link to the vehicle. If you can't link to the computer, you can't get a computer code to return. I have a computer scanner and have been that route many times.

After trying a coil the first time it happened, I quickly found out the problem was more than that. For the first many months, I was able to restart the vehicle by wiggling or pressing in on the rear (black) wiring harness into the ECM on the right fender. When it re-establishes connection, I hear the auto-shutdown relay kick in on the other fender, and then of course the gauges all come back on because they are waiting on the computer link.

Monty

I replaced that plug to the tune of $50 from Dodge, and it didn't even come with enough wires. The ones it did come with were not color coded, and not installed. Very irritating to pay $50 for a $2 item that is not complete or assembled!

Anyway, the problem came back after a week or so. I believe I have finally nailed it down... the ECM is overheating. There seems to be a poorly designed connection in the ECM that is subject to disconnect when it gets hot. On hot days, the way to get it running again is to put a couple of ice cubes on the side of the ECM, and in a few seconds it will reset instead of waiting 5-20 minutes. On cold days, the problem won't occur nearly as often.

Dodge wants 3 times the asking price for the computer. JCWhitney has it for $279 range, and autocomputerexchange. com advertises it for around the same.

Perhaps a class action lawsuit may be required to get Dodge to accept responsibility for this serious safety issue! Let's call it what it really is--a defect in design.

Monty

dancekempo@hotmail.com

Hello.

I posted early in the year about the same happening as the rest have been posting. NOBUS, not brakes, no steering.. stalls when driving etc!! I had the computer replaced finally after being told it was the battery.. then the cables... then the crank shaft sensor...BLAH! Finally had to suck it up and pay Dodge well over a grand to replace the computer. I took it to a shop and they said only Dodge could do the computer part (PCM) as they had to program it..

Well, I am happy to report I am halfway through summer and have not had the NOBUS stalling happen anymore. I highly recommend that you just replace the computer!! Its worth the cost as I was stranded MANY times waiting for the dang thing to start again!

Also..I did call a lawyer about a class action... they didn't even care... We need a lawyer to have this problem...

Thanks,

Melaina.

Melainal@yahoo.com.

I would Like to join the other voices regarding 1999 Dodge Durango. About a year ago our Durango starting stalling which at first I thought no big deal probably needs a coil,so the coil was replaced no success car kept stalling then replaced pick up coil still kept stalling it seems to stall when it gets warm. Let it set for a while and it starts up sometimes it will run OK, but at times it stalls quite often. It became a concern when my daughter stalled on a bridge and then again in heavy traffic the stalling seems to be getting worse as the weather is getting warmer. I have had the car stall on me in heavy traffic so many times that when I drive it I always drive in the right lane so if it does stall I can steer it to safety. My wife and daughter are not allowed to drive it. I have no idea whats wrong I am hoping that the Dodge Corp. will see all these complaints and look into this. This could become a serious problem to and unsupecting family. pagiblee41418@yahoo.com.

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango SLT Plus with 87000 miles; bought it with 55,500 miles on it approximately 5 years ago. Over all comfortable truck for a family vehicle / or for just sport riding (cruising) versus the 1995 Nissan Pathfinder prior.

Defects that I have encountered which I was not too happy with: I had to rebuild the tranny ($2,000+) didn't have a towing kit underneath, (inspected) water pump (replaced), alternator ball bearings (pully system) screeches when cold (have to buy new one, new serp. belt installed). Just inspected and have to buy in future: A/C compressor (clutch/under pressure will expire soon). Positive install a cat-back (flow master) 50 series dual system. Turns a lot of heads when cruising. Over all a good muscle car if the money can be invested. PS: I recommend thorough research. Always buy aftermarket parts due to the engineering of factory part (which last approx. 5 years).

Hello I'm Karen,

2000 Dodge Durango 4.7 SLT

Had it for 18 months love it.. About 5 months ago replaced the coil packs. And this summer my AC went to find out it is the EVAPORATOR COIL. The part is only 100.00 and the labor is out of this world. I understand the whole dash board needs taking out, but no body wants to do it OR they want a arm and a leg. And today with gas prices well of course it's a gas hog. Avg about 14mpg. Are they all like that so my problem is the AC. THANKS. bluepower9000@verizon.net

I have a 99 Durango 4x4 with a 5.9L engine. At 181K miles' I had to replace the tranny. Since then, (two weeks ago) I have the stalling and no bus problem described by the others. At times, the car wwill start up fine and run smoothly then like clockwork it would cut off. It will then take on average about 30 minutes to start, would run for another perid of time (at times about 10 minutes) and then would proceed to cut off. I have thoroughly checked all the wiring by wiggling and pulling at them when the engine is running to see if there are shorts or breaks in the wire. None was ever found. I have replaced the crank sensor, the cam sensor (in the distributor) the ignition coiI, alternator and battery, no help. Car still cuts off. Help!

To the person who has a post on July 10th.

I did all of the above... that you tried...

FINALLY after much research, I found it to be the PCM computer. Many of the posts I've read say if you wiggle the wires it will start again.. no luck for me though.

After replacing the PCM... I have gone MONTHS without a single stall, and while it cost me over 1K, it was well worth just getting it done and not dealing with all the hassle of stalling in the middle of traffic!

Hope this helps!

My 99 Durango just started the "fainting spells".

Florida temps near 100 deg.. engine dies and will restart only when cooled off. Usually gets me home if the A /C is off and driven slowly...

Dealer acts like this is something new, but is happy to take cash for the "cannot reproduce problem".

5.9 slt... I wonder if a cooler thermostat would keep the engine compartment a little cooler. I had 90's Chevy's that ate alternators until I was told to put 30 deg lower 'stats in them... no more alternators, will look into computer and lower the temps.

I have a '99 Durango SLT 4x4 5.9L with approx. 119,000 miles.

Bought it used in May 2005. Had to replace the tranny in Dec. of that year. Have had to replace both the upper/lower ball joints. Now it is stalling in traffic, NO BUS shows up on display. Been towed twice, fearing to even drive it as I lost all power. My corner mechanic says diagnostically, they could find nothing wrong. Towed it to the Dodge dealership, and they want $1100.00 for ECM replacement, and also say Tranny Kick-down Cable is broken. This runs $300.00 plus. I noticed no problem with shift out on highway. Could this be related to computer problem?

We bought our 2000 Durango new and I love it except for the problems that have come up. At 56000 miles the oil pump went out on it, thank goodness it was under warranty. They said they replaced the block when we took it in. This happened again at 125,000, took it to another mechanic who just took the motor apart and replaced the pump. Another $1500 spent. Now we're having trany problems. Occasionally getting a jerk and then the dash light comes on, gives us the 0705 obd meter. Something about a selonoid. We think the shifter cable needs tightening up, but can't seem to get it done, the tang clip won't come loose. And we don't have back up lights, can't find the switch to replace it. Nobody seems to know how to fix it. Anybody know where the switch is located?

All in all I do love it though.

I have a 01 D 4.7l and mine just started having idle problems. Well the problem has gotten worse. Now while driving the tranny keeps shifting up and down uncontrollably. The only code that is being thrown is 0601--- pcm failure. Just went to the junk yard today and purchased a pcm $100. I have black keys. Does anyone know if I have to take it to the dealer to get it reflashed?

Good evening all. This has been very interesting to read because I am shopping for a 1999 Dodge Durango which meets all of my space and comfort needs however, when the salesman test drove the vehicle for me, as it is a tactic that I use, I found that he kept depressing the overdrive button to drive on a city street. when I asked him why he did that he stated "It gives more power and I like power" As a "lame dame" when it comes to purchasing a vehicle I responded "oh wow that makes a lot of sense" duoh!! It does not make that much cents$$. While he drove it I found that it is pulling to the right welcome alignment and tires, not shifting gears smoothly, even in overdrive so look out Tranny, and AC is not blowing cool enough. Just a few things that has been commented on by previous owners and I had not driven the vehicle at this point. As a single parent and new grandmother who will be transporting this precious cargo I would choose not to purchase such a vehicle at this time and hope to find something that I can rely on for longer that a couple of months. I realize that there is no guarantee on anything especially something mechanical so for now I will continue my shopping for a vehicle and I will continue to view sites such as this one. Thank you all for your opinions.

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango with the 5.9 Engine. I am having the stalling issue also. Mine started after a mechanic moved around some of the relays in the fuse relay compartment when I had the AC worked on. It has stalled about 15 or 20 times since then. I have not replaced anything except the relays in that compartment since it has been stalling. Obviously they are not the problem. Mine stalls when it gets hot and after a little while it will start up. I will try some of the remedies with the connector that I have read here and let you all know what I find. This is definitely a Safety issue. Dodge has to know what is REALLY wrong!