1999 Dodge Durango: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Aug 27, 2009 · Electrical · 145,430 miles · TN

I purchased the 1999 dodge durango 2/8/09. The truck ran good for one week. Then it would just stall with no warning and a "no bus error" would flash on the odometer. After about 20 minutes the truck would start back up. But that is unacceptable. It has been stalling every week since may 12, 2009. It quit 8/11/09 and it was stuck in traffic with no where to go. It took one hour and 15 minutes for the truck to start back up. Dodge needs to be held accountable for this issue. If you just take 3 minutes and google "no bus signal on odometer of 1999 dodge durango" you'll spend the next 3 days reading all the complaints with no solution to fixing the problem. I am a single parent and I depend on this vehicle to get back and forth to work and the doctors. I have had the diagnostics run on the truck and it doesn't even read. They don't know about it unless they're in the truck with you when it happens or there within 15 mins of the truck stopping. All this money for cash for clunkers and couldn't even drive it to a car lot if I wanted to. It wouldn't start. I am very upset and angry and feel that dodge has dodged another bullet. Never will I buy a car from dodge/chrysler/jeep again, because they are not being responsible. Believe me, they are aware of the issue. Just don't give a *^$!

Filed Dec 18, 2008 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · TX

The ball joints failed on my 1999 dodge durango with the same clunking noise that the ball joints failed on the 2000 - 2003 dodge durango's. Your the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v596000 clearly states this problem. Since you didn't include the 1999 dodge durango's in the recall I replaced the ball joints myself. Using the appropriate steps I replaced the bad squeaky, clunking ball joints with new moog ball joints. After about 3 months the front end of my durango sounded as if it were going to fall off. I took my car to mieneke in spring , texas to get it evaluated. The manager at this outlet informed me that the ball joints had wallowed out the holes on the upper control arm where the bolts go through ball joint and the upper control arm. He then charged me $1400.00 to replace the upper control arms on the right and left side and install new ball joints. My dodge durango began making noise again about 2 months later. The exact same problem. I called him back and let him know the problem was happening again. He said he would do some research and get back in touch with me. A day or two later he called me and informed me there was a service bulletin out that said you should not replace just the ball joint but you should replace the whole upper control arm that has a new ball joint riveted on to it. He said the metal on the control arm is to weak an malleable. How in the world can dodge get away with using such cheap metal and parts and why don't all of the parts houses and repair shops know about this problem? Only dodge makes a replacement upper control arm with an attached ball joint for the 2 wheel drive durango. It cost approximately $400 for each side.

Filed Oct 17, 2007 · Engine, Suspension · 114 miles · OR

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a clunking and creaking noise coming from the front end. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that there was nothing wrong. In 2002, the contact took the vehicle to a specialty alignment shop and they refused to align the vehicle because the upper and lower front control arms were worn out. The contact returned to the dealer and they replaced the upper control arm on the passenger side. However, he continues to hear the clunking and creaking sound. The current mileage was 51,800 and failure mileage was 114. The upper ball joint was bad and the 4-wheel drive stayed engaged. The engine pinged a lot. Updated 11/06/07.

Filed Jul 25, 2007 · Steering · 70,000 miles · NH

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango. While making a right turn at 10-20 MPH, the contact heard a clunking noise. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The current mileage was 78,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Suspension · CA

I noticed a loud clunking sound coming from the front end of my 1999 dodge durango. Upon having it inspected, I was advised that the upper and lower ball joints on both sides were no good, due to a lack of lubrication caused by faulty seals. The mechanic advised me that while other years of the durango had been recalled for the same problem, mine did not have a recall. However, I was advised that the damaged ball joints are subject to failure, which could cause the entire front wheel assembly to come off the car. In researching this problem, I found that the problem is just as common in the 1999 model years as other (recalled) years. Apparently, there have not yet been enough injuries or deaths yet from 1999 year vehicles. Sure hope I'm not one of the stats that finally forces a recall.

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Steering, Suspension · 75,536 miles · FL

Vehicle front end made a clunking noise and felt loose when driving on rough roads which was determined to be caused by cracked and loose ball joints. Dodge dealer repaired same but refused to cover under warranty or recall. Dealer also replaced l & r inner tie rod ends and steering gear, which they said were damaged by wheel play due to the bad ball joints. Old parts were kept by dealer, availability at this time is unknown.

Filed Dec 10, 2004 · Suspension · 71,750 miles · CA

Front end of my 1999 durango, which only has 71,862 miles, is making a clunking noise when turning corners or going through dips in the road. I checked the frontend if the vehicle while on a jack and found that the left front wheel assembly - possibly the ball joints - moved damatically compared the the right side. I feel that there is a potential problem that the front end assembly my break off if the right set of circumstances occur. I read today that duragno's from 2000-2004 are being recalled for the same type of problem with the front end. O you think that my vehicle should be covered for repair under a factory defect also? This vehicle does not have .

Filed Nov 16, 2004 · Suspension · FL

Excessive ball joint wear on 1999 dodge durango. I have been experiencing problems with my durango for nearly 3 years. I took the vehicle to the dealership complaining of "clunking" coming from the front end when the sterring wheel is turned sharply to the left or right when making turns (I.e. Parking in a parking spot). The vehicle was still well within the warranty period and the dealership indicated that they could not "replicate" the noise. I have since experienced excessive tire wear that required replacement of all 4 tires under with under17,000 miles on the vehicle. During my last tire rotation (at an independent shop) they indicated that there is excessive wear on the front and rear ball joints and currently my vehicle has 27,580 miles. Combining these factors I believe there is no question that the parts are defective, and with numerous other owners experiencing the same type of problems, I believe it is a widespread safety hazard that should be addressed.

Filed Mar 26, 2004 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · NY

While driving at 45 MPH consumer heard a clunky noise coming from the front end. Mechanic at an independent repair shop determined that lower and upper ball joints needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 20, 2004 · Suspension · PA

I had taken the vehicle into a local garage to have checked out. I was told my lu ball joint was very bad and one good hit to a pot hole was all I needed to have it go. In 2000 had a problem with loud clunking noises coming from the front. At that time the dealer had replaced all the bad ball joints except the lu one which still had "some play in it." now I am being charged to replace this one because the warranty is up.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission, Visibility · 94,000 miles · TN

Durango has given transmission problems including high rev before shifting, and rough shifting in general.problem will always occur if allowed to idle for a few minutes before resuming movement. Has appeared to slip on occasions. Pinion broke with vehicle in no apparent strain with very slight acceleration on take-off- caused major rear end damage as well as ruining one rear axle. Contacted dodge concering problem since part broke was 1.5 inch thick steel which broke so smoothly, it appeared to have been cut. Part should have been with vehicle 50 years from now when it is in a junk-yard! Was informed that since vehicle was out of warranty, that nothing could be compensated for. Fortunately, this did not happen on the open road, or my wife and children could have been injured or killed. I feel dodge should at the very least reimburse us for this problem as well as the transmission woes!

Filed Jan 4, 2004 · Suspension · 47,180 miles · PA

Have clunking in steering, jacked passenger side up to find right front wheel somewhat lose on vertical plane. Removed tire to find excessive slop in lower ball joint. Only at 47,000 mainly highway miles. Unsure of what to do, curious of who is responsible for poor design, and little help. I will be replacing lower ball joint but still feel unsafe driving vehicle.