Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello my name is [redacted] 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 wheel is loose. Need a tune-up oh when I got home the car starts smoking inside then the outside that's how it caught on fire underneath to the firewall I think not sure please help
1999 Dodge Durango PCM/ECU will fail when it gets hot, giving a no bus, and causing the engine to stall and lose power steering and brakes. This has happened to my vehicle on numerous occasions at highway speed where I was barely able to control the vehicle. This is a huge safety issue. I have had the PCM/ECU replaced over 5 times, which is extremely dangerous. Experts have pin pointed the issues to certain chips coming unsoldered in the PCM/ECU due to heat. Keenan laws has youtube videos on exactly what the issues are, as well as many other have done. Dodge contract's out the soldering of these chips, but they don't do a good job as some don't work at all. For example, we put three in before we got one that worked. This is inexcusable and puts people lives at very high risk. I paid around $800 to a Dodge dealership in santa rosa california for a PCM/ECU that lasted only months. …
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 going 70 MPH. It has happened going 45 MPH and as low as 20 MPH. All I have to do is pull over and let the computer cool off and it turns on again. This is very dangerous as power steering shuts off and brakes become very hard. I have a great car in the winter. In the summer it's a death trap that can shut off engine, power steering and brakes in the middle of the freeway. Check youtube and google for "Dodge Durango no bus" and you will find this is a major issue with the computer.
The engine shuts off while driving. Yes in motion and on city street loss of power steering and brakes. There has been hundreds of complaints listed on the internet under this model and year. It appears that the problem May be one of several problems I have e mailed [email] several times and they pretend that they know nothing about this problem they continue to put up a smoke screen, I have copies of the correspondence if you would like it, the car is parked since it is unsafe to drive, this problem occurred two different times. ...updated 04/11/17
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 speed. At slower speed the engine will cut off while driving causing a dangerous problem with loss of steering and brake hydraulics. Condition has been happening for over five years and I'm into this demon for thousands of dollars.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Durango. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The failure occurred without warning. Cass burch (801 e screen st, quitman, ga) was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The vehicle is hard to steer it also has a problem disengaging the 4 wheel drive the vehicle's tires in the front rub against the wheel wells causing uneven tread wear the vehicle is deemed unsafe also due to the vehicle's suspension bushings in the front in the tie rods in the front of the vehicle are loose causing a over compensation and under compensation for steering possibly resulting in fatality ultimately due to a bad lane change forcing the vehicle to collide with another vehicle ending up ultimately in fatality.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Durango. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on multiple occasions and each time the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition coil was faulty and needed to be replaced. The ignition coil was replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Usually happens when it is hot out but the truck just shuts off with out notice all power too all gauges go to 0 power steering. Does not matter how fast or slow I am going. I have to park it and let it sit anywhere from 5 minutes up to two hours. I have had several parts replaced and the problem continues no one seems to have an answer. This is so dangerous not only for me but also all other drivers on the road. This needs to be figured out soon I fear for my life and the life of others.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled and the speedometer and the RPM gauges decreased to zero without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Electrical complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 181 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Dodge Durango, 9% of the model year's 1,967 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Durango electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Dodge Durango, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Durango electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.