Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 2,043 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Dodge Durango, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 885 | 43% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 184 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 114 | 6% |
| Power train | 96 | 5% |
| Steering | 82 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 79 | 4% |
| Steering | 35 | 2% |
| Visibility | 31 | 2% |
| Air bags | 30 | 1% |
| Seats | 23 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 aga
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 HAPPE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 SH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX] I BROUGHT THIS SUV 12/3/2019 .THE GUY I BOUGHT THIS SUV FROM HE TOLD ME THERE'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY TO THE TRANSMISSION I FOUND THERE WAS SEVERAL THINGS WRONG WITH IT THE STEERING
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER AND WONT START AND ON THE ODOMETER IT SAY NO BUS BUT U WAIT A FEW MINUTES SOMETIMES UP TO FIFTEEN MINUTES IT WILL RESTART BUT NO CODES COME UP WITH THE ODB2
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GOES BEYOND 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, WHILE IN MOTION, THE COMPUTER HAS SHUT OFF THE ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES AND A CODE SAYING NO BUS IS DISPLAYED IN THE DASH FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MAKONG TURNS, THE OIL PRESSURE PLUMMETS. WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ARE CAUSING THE DASH LIGHT TO STAY ON. BEEN THROUGH 2 NEW PCM COMPUTERS. SPARK PLUGS FOUL OUT TOO EASY. BATTERY TEMP SENSOR NEEDS TO BE BEEFED UP. FACTORY ANTI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO. VEHICLE LOST POWER. NEARLY STRANDED AND CONCERNED ABOUT BEING INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO VEHICLE LOSING ELECTRICAL POWER NO ELECTRICAL POWER IN VEHICLE; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1999 Dodge Durango. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 WHEE
Risk: 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 DUR
Fix: 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.
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,
Risk: A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
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.
Risk: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 51 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 64 | average |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 70 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 2,043 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 885 of them (43%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 51/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 64/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.