1999 Dodge Durango: engine overheating

Filed May 15, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · ID

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 overheated while driving at 55 MPH, without warning the vehicle lost electrical power. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes became inoperable. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 20 minutes. The vehicle was restarted and driven for approximately one mile before the vehicle lost electrical power once again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The diagnostic code reader stated no buss. The contact was informed that the engine control module overheated due to its placement in proximity to the exhaust manifold. Additionally, the contact stated that the nut on the steering wheel knuckle was stripped which caused the steering to be difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and several unknown dealers were notified of the failure. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that there would be no assistance offered. The failure mileage was unknown. Piir = y. Ah *bf consumer stated emc brain overheats in the engine compartment. Steering knuckle strips out, tie rod ends, manifold bolts, and ball joints. Check attachment exceeds 2000 characters.

Filed Oct 1, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 131,500 miles · IL

On multiple occasions, beginning two months after we bought the vehicle (used), engine would die for no reason. Loss of power steering and power brakes. Would turn over, but not restart. After waiting between 10-30 minutes, vehicle would restart. Happens at slow speeds, medium speeds and expressway speeds. Inconvenient at slow speeds, very dangerous at highway speeds. Sounds similar to other complaints regarding cpu/cpm overheating. Dodge needs to recall this before someone gets killed!

Filed May 31, 2012 · Engine · 139,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would persistently stall without warning in warmer temperatures. The failure would occur when driving over 40 MPH and under 75 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who advised the contact that that failure would occur when the vehicle would overheat. The manufacturer was notified who stated there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 139,000 and the current mileage was 164,394. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 146,000 miles · NC

We experienced within 1 week of purchase (march 2011) the frequent stalling out, along with total loss of power brakes and power steering that has been reported by hundreds of 1999 owners. The problem occurs in primarily hot summer weather, but has also occurred in spring and fall weather with any temps over 70 degrees, although less frequently.the actions required are to raise the hood, wait for the unit to cool (or cool it artificially with cold water or ice pack) until the vehicle will restart. Over a year period of experimenting, I have lessened but not cured the problem. All the solutions are related to increasing the airflow to the cpu/PCM area, which chronically overheats due to its location. If dodge would recall the 1999 model, I can imagine either of two solutions at minimal cost. (photos of my solutions are available.) if the air guard to the passenger side of the radiator has the top half removed, then it is simple to install an intake tube or shaft to direct air thru the grille to the PCM. A plastic, easy installed unit would be the lowest cost solution. Failing this, the relocation of the PCM with a mounting bracket kit and a harness extension would allow placement of the unit in a cooler location (like right behind the new grille opening). My wife loses all braking and steering power assist when the engine stalls, sometimes when turning across oncoming traffic. This is a severe safety issue. It has occurred at least twice a week in hot weather for a year now, and on may 28th, 2012, it occurred 6 times within 40 miles during a 120 mile trip.

Filed Apr 1, 2012 · Electrical · 146,672 miles · AL

I was pulling a boat to the lake when the vehicle just cut off , I lost all power such as power steering ,power brakes .this could have cause a major accident ! Once I got on the side of the road and opened the hood I moved around the wires on the computer , I heard the fuel pump engage and then I started it . It ran a few minutes and did it again ! Both times their was a bus error on the odometer . As I have studied this problem ,computers (PCM) are overheating and causing connection problems . This is going to cause people to have accidents and get people killed ! Dodge needs to fix this problem ! There are many !

Filed Feb 4, 2012 · Electrical, Transmission · 113,500 miles · KS

Vehicle dies with no notice, problem is PCM. This is a widely known problem with several years of the dodge products. The PCM fails and the car can lose power while in operation. This is a dangerous situation because the car can lose power while operating on the highway or at any speed! Dodge refuses to acknowledge the problem. A replacement PCM is reported to resolve the problem temporarily. Some complaints indicate that it's an overheating issue, however mine stalls and dies in various weather conditions. Usually, I can unplug the connectors to the PCM and plug them back in to reset the computer and the vehicle will start and run again for a period of time. Since this problem is so unpredictable, the car is not safe to have on the road.

Filed Aug 15, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 111,988 miles · CA

1999 dodge durango - engine stalls during driving, relates to computer overheating. I had the computer replaced but the problem returns. Vehicle very difficult to stop or turn d/t power loss. Last occurred in oncoming traffic lane while turning. Computer returns no codes but odometer displays no bus. Engine compartment is way too hot for this component so I do not expect anything to work except re-routing the wiring and mounting the computer outside the engine compartment. I have tried improved air flow and insulation but it simply gets too hot. I cannot stress the level of risk this problem presents. Had this occurred while I was pulling a trailer over one of my usual camping routes I would not be reporting this nor would anyone else in the vehicle because losing the engine on a canyon edge would make the vehicle impossible to stop. I refuse to drive the vehicle as this has now happened even on quick trips on slow flat roads. This failure has occurred 5 times now and is predictable. Hot weather, 5-15 minutes of driving, all components hot in engine compartment, let it all cool down and vehicle can re-start. Odometer blinks 4 times and returns no bus fault. Computer will not return a code and so is not covered under its warranty for replacement. This is not a question of if but when a class 1 mishap will occur.

Filed Apr 17, 2010 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

Yes I would like to make a complaint about the 99 dodge durango,,,,,,,it shuts off while driving ,without any kind of warning ,no sputtering,no jerking ,,,just shuts off ,,,,my mother is 56 years old and for her to have to be driving her car and being in danger of it shutting off anywhere,anytime,residential street ,freeway the steering locks up the brakes don't work ,,,this is a very dangerous problem not only for her and the passengers in her car like her grand daughter,friends,family but for the person driving behind her that has to stop very quickly,,,,,this can lead to people getting seriously hurt,,,,,she has taken it to several mechanics ,the dealership and they cannot diagnose the problem,,,,,so after much time and money wasted I got on the internet to see what I could find ,and found hundreds of people with the same problem,,,and what it seems to be is the PCM overheating and shutting itself off,after about ten minutes of it cooling down it turns right back on ,,,,,,,then over heats again and shuts itself off again ,,I think this needs to be addressed by dodge before someone gets in a serious accident.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Electrical, Suspension · CO

1999 dodge durango-so many problems with this vehicle. Had to replace the computer due to overheating-common problem I hear. Now the upper and lower ball joints are bad and need replaced or my tires could fall off? Lots of information that this is an extremely common problem and very very dangerous. Other years of derange have been recalled because of ball joints being bad. I have not had an accident yet and am hoping not to. Can't afford all these repairs for things that seem to be a common issue with this vehicle.

Filed Sep 16, 2008 · Brakes, Steering · 20,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle veered to the left and the power assist pulled to the right. The contact heard a loud noise and smoke appeared under the hood. In addition, the vehicle was not running properly and the brakes overheated with a burning odor. The contact observed severe tire wear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the vehicle was repaired. On over 20 separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for the same issues; however, the failures still persist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 20,000 and current mileage was 122,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2007 · Engine · CA

Car stalls. My car stalls while I am driving or at a stop light, just idling. It has stalled on the freeway, which is very dangerous. Before the car stalls the battery voltage sensor and the fuel level indicator goes all the way down. Then the odometer starts blinking and saying "no bus". The autoshops I have been to do not know what "no bus" means. I have to turn the ignition off and on several times before the battery voltage and fuel indicator go back up. It takes anywhere from a couple seconds to 20+ minutes for the car to finally start. Sometimes it won't start. The check engine light comes on, when the car stalls. But once the car starts, the light goes away. I have took the car to several mechanics. They ran diagnostic testing on it. The obd found no problems. My injectors and everything are working fine. Pls help. These is one of several problems w/ these car. Coolant leaks, ball joints always going out. I fixed these problems several times. I am tired of this car.

Filed Jun 12, 2007 · Electrical · 112,000 miles · TN

1999 dodge durango (5.2l v8) car has stalled numerous times in heavy traffic and light traffic at speeds up to 75 MPH as well as at a stop light. Stalls are unpredictable and very dangerous. My wife cannot operate the vehicle when it stalls due to the loss of power steering and boosted brakes. It is extremely difficult to steer and stop when this occurs. The fault is due to a defective PCM (engine computer) which overheats in high ambient temperatures (>75 degrees). Repair shop could not initially determine nature of failures and quoted a very high priced repair that would 'probably' fix the problem. I have determined that pouring ice water on the computer cools it sufficiently and allows the vehicle to start up after about 5 minutes. Replacing PCM costs $300 for diy or >$600 from a repair shop. Manufacturer has made no attempt to replace or recall this item.