NHTSA Complaint #10192997 — 1999 DODGE DURANGO

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.