VehicleVerdict

1999 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 3,172 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.7 times the median Durango year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 29 Durango years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 100 deaths and 212 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: suspension issues account for 52% of all reports (1,657 of 3,172), far ahead of engine at 327.

3,172

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

153

Crash-involved

36

Fires reported

212

Injuries

100

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1,65752%
Engine32710%
Brakes1996%
Transmission1956%
Electrical System1926%
Steering1725%
Visibility & Wipers582%
Airbags522%
Tires & Wheels502%
Fuel System492%
Other441%
Speed Control381%
Seats321%
Seat Belts311%
Lighting271%
Body & Structure181%
Latches & Locks150%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)140%
Child Seat20%

Does the 1999 Dodge Durango have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E064000SuspensionOctober 20, 2008 · 2,805 units

Defect

SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.

Consequence

IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

01V153000AirbagsMay 8, 2001 · 216,100 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.

Consequence

WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V119000Seat BeltsApril 11, 2001 · 161,682 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

99V342000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 1999 · 150,729 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK STRAP CAN SEPARATE DUE TO FATIGUE DURING OPERATION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TANK WILL BE UNSUPPORTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOUBLE TOGGLE LOCK FUEL TANK STRAPS WITH SINGLE TOGGLE LOCK DESIGN. NOTE: AFFECTED VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH MAY 21, 1998, ALSO REQUIRE THE REAR BRAKE TUBE INSPECTION/REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK STRAP AND BRAKE TUBE REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED ON THESE VHEICLES IN A SINGLE SERVICE PROCEDURE UNDER RECALL 99V-341/DAIMLERCHRYSLER #841. AFFECTED VEHICLES BUILT FROM MAY 22, 1998 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 1999, ONLY REQUIRE THE FUEL TANK STRAP REPAIR, WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED UNDER RECALL 99V-342/DAIMLERCHRYSLER #842.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY DURANGO LOST CONTROL FOR NO REASON ON A SUUNY, CLOUDLESS DAY 4-24-01. I WAS TURNING THE VEHICLE LEFT AND IT SUDDENLY WENT RIGHT THROWING ME INTO A GUARD RAIL AND DOWN A BLUFF, BREAKING MY BACK. AFTER WATCHING CBS NEWS TWO WEEKS AGO, I REALIZED IT WAS SUSPENSION FAILURE COMPLAINED ABOUT BY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 24, 2001 · crash

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT PROB AROUND 15 MPH SPEEDING UP TO 30 WHEN A VAN GOING 30 RAN THE RED LIGHT, STRUCK ME ON THE SIDE OF MY DURANGO, SPUN US AROUND AND WE WERE HIT HEAD ON BY THE VAN WHICH PUSHED US BACK INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I HAVE A PERMANANT DENT IN MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 28, 2013 · crash

AFTER PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. I STEPPED HARD ON THE BRAKES AND 4WAL ABS BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 15 OR 20 MPH. THIS IS THE 2ND ACCIDENT IN 6 MONTHS BUT DODGE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS DID MORE DAMAGE THAN THE 1ST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 28, 2003 · crash

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY DURANGO SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. ALL ATTEMPTS TO STEER OR USE THE BRAKES FAILED AND MY CAR WENT INTO A SPIN AND HIT THE BARRIER WALL OF A BRIDGE TWO TIMES. THE POLICE REPORT STATES THAT THE CAUSE OF CRASH IS THAT THE DRIVER "LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE WHEN THE LEFT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 2, 2002 · crash

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH WHEN IT SLID ON ICE, THERE WAS NO IMPACT. HOWEVER, IT DID TURN OVER ONTO PASSENGER'S SIDE. A FIRE IMMEDIATELY STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD , CLOSE TO THE GENERATOR CABLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CAUSE IS STILL UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 23, 2000 · fire

1999 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 1999 Dodge Durango reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 3,172 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 29 Durango years. It is one of the Durango years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (1,657 complaints), engine (327 complaints), brakes (199 complaints).

Does the 1999 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Dodge Durango under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Durango years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Durango years to avoid are 1999, 2005, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2014, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2002, 2018, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Durango years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.