CarBrief

NHTSA has 1,967 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Durango, more than for any other Durango model year[1][2]. Suspension is the biggest group, and the SUV has 3 recalls[3][2].

1,967owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
12–15MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 1,967 complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 106 mention a crash, 20 a fire, and 169 injuries and 100 deaths are reported[1]. These are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Suspension[3] 1,102 63,000
Engine[5] 312 87,000
Electrical system[6] 181 117,139
Power train[7] 181 76,750
Brakes[8] 173 66,000
Steering[9] 170 70,048
Visibility[10] 58 52,000
Air bags[11] 50 74,000

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints we read, 9 describe ball joints that wore out, felt loose or needed replacing[3]. Owners describe noise, wandering at the wheel, uneven tire wear and arguments with dealers over who pays for repairs[3].

Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints[7], 4 describe a shift lever that can be moved out of park without the brake pedal pressed[7]. Another 3 describe a driveshaft that separated or broke[7].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints[5], 3 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving[5]. Another 3 are repeats of one report about debris collecting near the exhaust crossover pipe and starting a fire[5].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints[6], 3 describe a fire starting under the hood. Another 5 describe blown fuses, erratic gauges or warning lights that stay on[6].

Brakes and air bags. These groups are smaller by count. The brakes group still carries 31 crashes, 115 injuries and 99 deaths[8]. The air bags group has 40 crashes and 37 injuries among 50 complaints[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[2]. Each one has a dealer remedy.

Fuel economy

All EPA ratings in our data use an automatic 4-spd and regular gas[4]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the SUV was new[4].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD 3.9L 6-cyl[4] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450
2WD 5.2L 8-cyl[15] 12 / 17 / 14 $4,800
2WD 5.9L 8-cyl[16] 11 / 16 / 13 $5,150
4WD 3.9L 6-cyl[17] 13 / 17 / 14 $4,800
4WD 5.2L 8-cyl[18] 12 / 15 / 13 $5,150
4WD 5.9L 8-cyl[19] 11 / 15 / 12 $5,600

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this SUV as not rated[20].

Engine and size

EPA lists three engines: 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.2L 8-cyl and 5.9L 8-cyl[4][15][16]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[21].

2WD SLT/SLT Plus 4WD SLT/SLT Plus
Length[21][22] 194 in 194 in
Width[21][22] 72 in 72 in
Height[21][22] 71 in 72 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 116 in 116 in
Curb weight[21][22] 4,259 lb 4,555 lb

How 1999 compares with other years

1998: 965 complaints, 4 recalls19981999: 1,967 complaints, 3 recalls1,96719992000: 1,075 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 665 complaints, 5 recalls20012002: 423 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 339 complaints, 4 recalls2004: 1,115 complaints, 8 recalls20042005: 1,567 complaints, 8 recalls2006: 852 complaints, 9 recalls2007: 275 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 97 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 17 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 800 complaints, 8 recalls20112012: 640 complaints, 10 recalls2013: 640 complaints, 11 recalls2014: 783 complaints, 11 recalls20142015: 503 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 161 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 213 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 233 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 144 complaints, 4 recalls2020: 55 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 204 complaints, 8 recalls2022: 59 complaints, 7 recalls2023: 32 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 14 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 8 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 14 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Durango model year. The 1999 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19989654
19991,9673
20001,0752
20016655
20024234
20033394
20041,1158
20051,5678
20068529
20072754
2008972
2009174
20118008
201264010
201364011
201478311
20155034
20161613
20172132
20182335
20191444
2020552
20212048
2022597
2023322
2024140
202580
2026140

With 1,967 complaints[2], 1999 is the highest of every Durango model year NHTSA lists. The next highest is 2005 with 1,567, then 2004 with 1,115[2]. The year before, 1998, has 965 complaints, and 2000 has 1,075[2].

The 3 recalls for 1999 compare with 2 for 2000 and 4 for 1998[2]. Later years often have more, such as 11 for both 2013 and 2014[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many were sold, so read them as a rough guide only[2].

Should you buy a used 1999 Durango?

The complaint record is heavy, and the largest group is suspension, where a sample of complaints points to ball joints[3]. Ask about the ball joints and the shift lever before buying. Ask whether the fuel tank strap, seat belt retractor and clockspring recalls were done, since each has a dealer remedy[12][13][14]. EPA annual fuel cost estimates range from $4,450 to $5,600[4][19]. Our data does not cover towing, oil capacity or tire size, so check those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Dodge Durango?
Suspension leads with 1,102 of 1,967 complaints, and a sample of them points to ball joints[1][3].
Has the 1999 Dodge Durango been recalled?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: air bag clockspring 01V153, seat belt retractor 01V119 and fuel tank strap 99V342[12][13][14].
What gas mileage does a 1999 Durango get?
EPA combined ratings range from 12 MPG for the 4WD 5.9L to 15 MPG for the 2WD 3.9L[4][19].
Is the 1999 Durango the worst Durango year?
It has the most complaints of any Durango year listed, at 1,967, but counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,967 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Dodge Durango (106 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 169 injuries, 100 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Durango model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 1,102 complaints name the suspension component group (9 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Durango 2WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 312 complaints name the engine component group (7 crashes, 5 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 181 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,139). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 181 complaints name the power train component group (18 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 173 complaints name the brakes component group (31 crashes, 2 fires, 115 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 170 complaints name the steering component group (7 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,048). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 58 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 50 complaints name the air bags component group (40 crashes, 1 fires, 37 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 01V153, filed May 8, 2001: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 01V119, filed April 11, 2001: Seat Belts › Front › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 99V342, filed December 2, 1999: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Durango 2WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Durango 2WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 16 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Durango 4WD, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Durango 4WD, 5.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Durango 4WD, 5.9L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 11 city / 15 highway / 12 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DURANGO 2X4 SLT/SLT PLUS: length 194 in, width 72 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,259 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, DURANGO 4X4 SLT/SLT PLUS: length 194 in, width 72 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,555 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.