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1999 Dodgen Born Free

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

6 reports
78,898 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY WIFE 1999 DODGE DURANGO ENGINE FAILED AT 78,000 PLUS MILES. OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED WAS OF NO USE SINCE OIL SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE WAS IDENTIFIED BY WARRANTY COMPANY (NATIONAL AUTO CARE CORPORATION). COMPANY CAR MECHANIC STATED ON REPORT THAT THE OIL SLUDGE WAS THE REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE, THEREFORE THIS VOID THE WARR…

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MY WIFE 1999 DODGE DURANGO ENGINE FAILED AT 78,000 PLUS MILES. OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED WAS OF NO USE SINCE OIL SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE WAS IDENTIFIED BY WARRANTY COMPANY (NATIONAL AUTO CARE CORPORATION). COMPANY CAR MECHANIC STATED ON REPORT THAT THE OIL SLUDGE WAS THE REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE, THEREFORE THIS VOID THE WARRANTY. CALLED THE COMPANY (MR. BEYER) AND NOTED THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN OIL SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE. MY RECORDS REFLECT THE FACT THAT OIL WAS CHANGED MORE THAN REQUIRED. AS A PROFESSIONAL MECHANICAL ENGINEER I NOTED HE OIL SLUDGE IDENTIFIED WAS NOT CONTRIBUTE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES BUT THE FAILURE OF THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM THAT PUMP/SEND OIL THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE. I OFFERED TO PROVIDE PROOF TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT LACK OF MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES) WAS NOT THE MAIN REASON THE ENGINE FAILED. I'M STILL WAITING ON WARRANTY COMPANY TO PROVIDE WARRANTY DATA THAT WAS NOT PROVIDED 2 YEAR AGO. I ALSO NOTIFIED DODGE, BUT THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGHT REPAIR RECORDS ON SAME MODELS CLEARLY INDICATES THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. FURTHER RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER SHED MORE LIGHT ON THIS MATTER. IF DODGE REVIEW HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE 1999 DURANGO, 5.9 LITER ENGINE THEN THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212963

144,420 miles · Sep 13, 2007
Electrical System

THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED ON THE DODGE RAM DAKOTA 1999, ENGINE 3.9 MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT THE DEALERS KEEP HIDING ABOUT, EVERY 15K OR 20K MILES THE COMPUTER LOST ITS PROGRAM AND NEED TO BE UPDATED, THAT MEANS THAT THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK HAS TO PAY EVERY YEAR $99.99 FOR WHAT THE DEALER CALL A E…

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THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED ON THE DODGE RAM DAKOTA 1999, ENGINE 3.9 MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT THE DEALERS KEEP HIDING ABOUT, EVERY 15K OR 20K MILES THE COMPUTER LOST ITS PROGRAM AND NEED TO BE UPDATED, THAT MEANS THAT THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK HAS TO PAY EVERY YEAR $99.99 FOR WHAT THE DEALER CALL A ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSIS, BUT IN FACT WHAT THEY DO IS TO RE-PROGRAM THE ECU AND UPDATE THE SOFTWARE TO THE ACTUAL MILEAGE RESETTING ALL THE SENSORS THAT CONTROL THE ENGINE OPERATION, THE DEALERS REFUSE TO ADMIT THE FACT,WHAT IS WELL KNOWN FOR THOSE WHO REBUILD FAILED COMPUTER ENGINES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGH OUT THE COUNTRY. (2) THE FAILURE OF THE ECU IS CRITICAL BECAUSE IT MAY HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, IN ANY HIGH WAY, AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH LOST OF LIVES, AND OR PROPERTY DAMAGES TO OTHERS, AND THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK IT SELF. (3) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WITH OUT BEING BLEED EVERY YEAR AT THE DEALERS, OR TO PAY MORE THAN $600.00 FOR ANOTHER COMPUTER THAT EVENTUALLY WILL FAIL AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, ANY WAY REPLACEMENT IS HARD TO GET ANYWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10202877

20,000 miles · May 24, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGEN BORN FREE MOTORHOME. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MUDFLAP AND THE VEHICLE'S BODY. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE TIRES WERE KUHMO, SIZE T155/90R16. THE DOT NUMBER IS H21LYD1P. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 AND FAILUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGEN BORN FREE MOTORHOME. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MUDFLAP AND THE VEHICLE'S BODY. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE TIRES WERE KUHMO, SIZE T155/90R16. THE DOT NUMBER IS H21LYD1P. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10191665

6,700 miles · Aug 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE INTREPID, IT HAD 44,000 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I DROVE MY INTREPID FOR APPROX. THREE AND A HALF YEARS WITH NO TROUBLE. BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR (2005) MY BOSS AND I WENT ON A BUSINESS TRIP TO SC, THE CAR RAN GREAT. ON OUR RETURN TRIP WE WERE ABOUT 165 MILES OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA WHEN THE STARTED JUMPING AND TH…

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I HAVE A 1999 DODGE INTREPID, IT HAD 44,000 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I DROVE MY INTREPID FOR APPROX. THREE AND A HALF YEARS WITH NO TROUBLE. BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR (2005) MY BOSS AND I WENT ON A BUSINESS TRIP TO SC, THE CAR RAN GREAT. ON OUR RETURN TRIP WE WERE ABOUT 165 MILES OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA WHEN THE STARTED JUMPING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED FOR A WRECKER TO COME AND GET US SO THAT WE WOULD NOT CAUSE ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR (SO WE THOUGHT). WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY BOSSES MECHANIC. MONDAY MORNING THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT MY OIL PUMP AND WATER PUMP WENT OUT, THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. I WAS OVERWHELMED BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL THERE WAS NO WARNING AND SECOND I HARDLY EVER DROVE MORE THAT A FEW MILES A DAY. THE CAR AT THIS TIME ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. THE NEXT DAY I GOT ON THE PHONE AND CALLED CHRYSLER AND EXPLAINED WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THERE DEALERS LOOK AT MY CAR IN ORDER FOR THEM TO CONSIDER DOING ANYTHING FOR ME. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IF I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THEM, THAT CHRYSLER WOULD DO SOMETHING FOR ME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THEM, FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE SAME THING THAT MY BOSS''S MECHANIC HAD TOLD ME. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I ALSO HAD SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP ME, BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MY CAR. I STILL OWE ABOUT 7,000 ON THE CAR AND THEY WANT 7,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME, AND IT MAKES ME SICK TO SEE ALL THE COMMERCIALS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF DODGE WHO CLAIMS WHAT GREAT CARS DODGE HAS. CHRYSLER TOLD ME LET THE BANK REPO MY CAR OR DEAL WITH IT AND DON'T CALL BACK AND BOTHER US WITH YOUR PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE SUED AND MAKE GOOD ON ALL THE INTREPID 2.7 ENGINES AND KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS HAPPY, BUT THEY WON'T. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131468

82,000 miles · Dec 1, 2004
Electrical System

THE KEY CYLINDER ON THE STEERING COLUMN OF OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN "FROZE" AND THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN TRAFFIC, IT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE-THREATENING. WE ARE AFRAID TO USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE WE MAY GET STUCK SO…

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THE KEY CYLINDER ON THE STEERING COLUMN OF OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN "FROZE" AND THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN TRAFFIC, IT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE-THREATENING. WE ARE AFRAID TO USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE WE MAY GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. IRONICALLY, OUR 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING, WHICH NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, WAS RECALLED FOR THIS REASON A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO; YET CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT ANOTHER OF ITS VEHICLES COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE COST OF REPAIR IS $300-$400. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, BUT YOUR WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND WON'T AFFORD ME THAT CHOICE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100902

22,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Tires

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR INSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. SIZE LT22575R16 DOT#VDIL-1XD-448. PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021896

Official recalls

1

01V091006 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer

Mar 30, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS N841, N821, N641, AND N621. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK CAUSED BY OPERATION IN THE AC ELECTRIC MODE. IF A LEAK OCCURS, THE COOLING PERFORMANCE OF THE REFRIGERATOR WILL DETERIORATE, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING UNIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT IN THE AC ELECTRIC MODE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NORCOLD WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS. NORCOLD WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101 OR DODGEN AT 1-800-247-1835.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.