Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
While driving less than 600 from my house in my 1999 green Dodge Durango 4 door the power steering went out causing an accident with a parked car. I had the car had to be towed to the Dodge dealership in warren michigan I was told that the power steering seal blew causing the loss of power assist steering. The loss of this type of failure as you know makes driving harder that a car without power steering at all. I ask the dealership to have dcc look into the cause of this failure which cause the accident without any prior leaks or loss of fluid. The investigation letter stated that a vehicle that was built June 23, 1999 and had 66,006 miles would have these kinds of failures. The vehicle was inspected less than 3000 miles prior when it was taken in for air conditioning core issues. …
(1) eighteen months prior to the accident, the upper and lower control arm assemblies were replaced by the dealer. (2) while driving, the right front wheel assembly collapsed causing a loss of control. Vehicle left the road, went through a utility pole, rolled twice causing a total loss of the vehicle. Police report indicates "it appears the accident was caused by mechanical failure." witness supports accuracy of accident report. (3) dealer suggested complaint to chrylser. After investigation, daimler chrylser responds they "are not convinced that a manufacturing responsibility is associated with this incident." they also "declined any responsibility associated with this incident." digital photos of vehicle, suspension and separated wheel assembly at the accident scene are available.
After replacing hub assembly at les schwab brakes didn't work right when stepping down on brake it would make a sound as if they were not catching pulling car forward braking only depressed half way after a few seconds brake would let go all the down and then would return to normal I retorted to les schwab they checked brakes and found nothing wrong the said May be something was happening to suspension but it should be OK to drive it would continue off and on for a few weeks two days after thanksgiving returning from shopping sun was just going down when braking for a car I front my brakes gave out causing me to hit the car in front of me deploying air bags to both sides as we were pushing car out of road there was o skid marks at all.
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.
Over the last three years of operating the vehicle (2005-2007): 1. Fire in the front wheel assembly after 1.5 hours of 4-wheel drive - 1100$ replace 2. Speed sensor failure ($500 work) 3. Engine failure on the highway @80 MPH - $7000 replace and other costs, lucky survived 4. Joint balls replace (about 400$) 5. Ac failure ($960 repair) 6. Now parked - transmission/engine joint oil leak, estimated $1200 repair.
While driving 65 MPH, the front ball joints snapped, causing the front drivers' side tire to disconnect from the vehicle. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The ball joints, nuts, struts, rotor, and knuckle(s) were replaced. An additional tire and cap were purchased for the inside tire wear and all the tires were replaced. The tire wear remained abnormal.
While driving my car stalls out, I keep having problems with ball joints, my sway bar or chain has busted, seat belt for driver will not retract, rust and erosion has been so bad that I actually had to replace the whole front bumper assembly, and I have no heat.
Nut came off left front wheel bearing causing wheel to come off vehicle. When picking up pieces, I noticed that there is no cotter key to keep the nut from backing off. Had this happened at higher speeds, the result would have been very serious.
I have had my vehicle into two places for underbody inspections and m-59 Dodge told me my ball joints (upper & lower) and control arms would need to be replaced. I had m-59 Dodge replace them once at 44,000 miles on my '99 Durango and now at 77,000 they say they need it again? So, I took it into anderson Dodge for a second opinion and they said they were fine (good) actually. So, I checked defects off the nhsta website and saw several instances of ball joints failing at every 30,000 miles. So, I called a Dodge parts department and asked what the part #s were for ball joints and control arms for a '99 Durango and for a '99 dakota (4x4) and guess what they are the same numbers????? Let me guess, design the 4x4 dakota and just add all that weight and moment arms of the back of the SUV top and lift gate and not expect the equations to change for wear and tear of the front suspension?????? …
We have been detecting frontend noises for some time now in our 1999 Dodge Durango(VIN# [redacted]). On Friday morning, nov 28,2003, they suddenly became much worse. The sudden increase came while we were visiting family for thanksgiving some 350 miles from home. I promptly telephoned my service person at home and asked him about the problem. He and I have had multiple conversations regarding noise in the front end and he has continually reassured me that no problem of any serious nature is detectable. On this occasion, he told me that he could refer me to another dealer in nj or I could bring it in to him when I got home with the truck. I described the noise in detail, a metal on metal grating noise with squeaking that worsened over bumps in the road or on right turns. …
NHTSA investigations
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
In July 2003, odi opened pe03-032 based on 4 consumer complaints alleging separation of an upper ball joint.complaints alleged an unexpected collapse in the front end and in some occasions the ball joint separation is alleged to have resulted in the wheel, brake rotor, and steering knuckle separating from the vehicle.since opening the pe, odi has received 23 additional complaints related to ball joint separation.
Upper ball joint separation
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no.
Suspension complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 1,102 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Dodge Durango, 56% of the model year's 1,967 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › upper ball joint (824 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Durango suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to suspension 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.