1999 Dodge Durango problems & reliability
1,967 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Dodge Durango, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
49 complaints report injuries (169 injured, 100 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1999 Dodge Durango vehicles were involved in 37 fatal crashes with 19 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1,102 | 56% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 281 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 181 | 9% |
| Power Train | 181 | 9% |
| Steering | 170 | 9% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 154 | 8% |
| Visibility | 58 | 3% |
| Air Bags | 50 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 38 | 2% |
| Engine | 31 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 71,794 miles (middle 50% between 52,000 and 100,000 miles), based on 1,138 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Steel Brake lines burst. The Steel lines are all rusted and corroded. Even the factory replacement pieces corroded again. This happened 2 times and even when I replaced them with original factory pieces ,it happened again .this can't be a coincidence.”
Service Brakes · filed May 3, 2022
“Phantom misfire can drop engine rpm and stall. Every possible sensor replaced. Fuel pump, injectors replaced. Entire ignition system replaced. There has never been a check engine light and while the phantom misfire happens a professional code reader shows no misfire and no history of events. Can happen at anytime, any…”
Electrical System · filed Oct 5, 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning while approaching a stop sign. The vehicle was able to restart with the gear shifter either in park or neutral however, once the gear shifter was shifted into drive, the vehicle…”
Power Train · filed Jun 16, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA03023 · opened Nov 19, 2003 · closed Feb 11, 2005 · led to recall 04V596000
- FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03032 · opened Jul 16, 2003 · closed Nov 19, 2003
- SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
Preliminary Evaluation PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003
Technical service bulletins
102 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Dodge Durango. The 10 most recent:
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
This SKU is a Clock Spring. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the internal spring. If the internal spring is not seated, the electrical circuit for the horn is disconnected and…
DOR-X6W2U-06 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 23, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 Dodge Durango has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Dodge Durango?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 71,794 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.