I used to be somewhat pleased with my Durango. However, I just had the engine blow on me. The dealer has told me that I did not take care and maintain my truck. That's a load of crap, I had the oil and filter changed every 3-6,000 miles.
I was told that they found sludge in the engine and that the only way that happens is if I didn't change the oil and filter. I have found others on the Internet with the same issue. There is a class action lawsuit regarding this issue.
Do not buy this vehicle, unless you want to buy another engine for it. Chrysler is not warrantying this vehicle for a blown engine!!!
I am really wanting an SUV with a third seat, but do not want to buy a 30,000 dollar vehicle. Thanks to these horrible details on Durango... I will not be looking at Durangos. Maybe I should save for a Toyota Sequoia. Thanks for your time to let others know.
I too have had a blown engine on my 99 Durango. Religiously changed oil and filter. Engine failure happened at 60,200 miles. This is a lease vehicle. I have now spent $6,000 for a new engine that Dodge refuses to recognize as a product failure and states customer neglect. Dealer service cannot even tell me why the engine failed. Only comment is that oil was a sludge consistency. I will never buy/lease another Dodge product and would only consider an import SUV.
My 99 Durango also has these sludge problems. At 50,000 miles, with oil changed regularly, the oil pressure gauge dropped to zero and the car stalled. The dealership told me it is my own fault because I did not maintain the vehicle. Who do they think they are to accuse me like that? The engine block is full of sludge. These engines are lemons. They refuse to correct the problem under the warranty. If you are having the same problems I would love to hear from you. We need to get together on this. Email me at
Stenochick69@hotmail.com.
My 1999 Durango, 2 years old and 55,000KMs, needs a NEW engine! I had taken it to the dealers 4 months ago complaining that the check your engine gauge light was coming on and that I was losing oil (2 litres/3weeks), also the oil pressure gauge would dump to 0 then equalise again. They said nothing was wrong with it, and they let me drive it! I took it in 4 times since then for the SAME problem as the check your engine light came on more frequently! On every occasion they said nothing was wrong with it! Finally, because the gauge's light sound was SO irritating, I told them I will not take it back until you fix this, change the sensor, do SOMETHING! They ordered the part to change the sensor, and then they told me 2 days ago (NOV) that I need a NEW ENGINE!!!
I too have had my engine blow on the Durango, and they say that I am liable for not maintaining the vehicle. This is absolutely false. The oil pressure sending unit was replaced by the dealer, then a month later, without warning the pressure dropped to zero at highway speeds and the engine blew. Is there a class action lawsuit or anything like that anyone knows of?
mporett@dimagery.com
Matthew Porett.
January 2002, drove the family for a ski weekend. Oil gauge would erratically move indicating change in oil pressure. With 28K miles, engine seized on way home. Dealer alleges excessive sludge and will not repair under warrantee. I am frantically trying to determine my options with 8 months left on a 39 month lease.
Go to www.bigclassaction.com - under the automotive section, there is a gathering of evidence against Daimler-Chrysler for "premature engine failure to to excessive sludge."
Matthew Porett
mporett@dimagery.com
Loved this vehicle up until recently. It drove and rode well. The problems we had only seemed to be minor ones like replacing the motor in the rear window and replacing the speed sensor in it, both were covered under the warranty.
Three weeks ago my daughter was driving it to church and it started making a whining noise like it wasn't changing gears. When I manually shifted the gears in it, the check gauges light came on and the oil gauge dropped to 0. I had a friend check the oil in it before attempting to drive it back home. He said it was fine, but the engine blew in it on the way home at only 42,000 miles, only 6,000 miles over the warranty. Chrysler claims no responsibility. They say I didn't have it serviced properly. NO WAY! All we want to do is terminate the lease but Chrysler won't do that either without damaging our credit. I will never buy another Dodge.
1999 Dodge Durango, with 30K miles engine came apart. I mean pieces actually came through the oil pan. During this time 'check engine' light came on repeatedly, dealer said maybe it was the sensor, etc etc. Oil was changed at least four times since new, dealer said it is a sludge problem not covered under warranty. Have heard this story too many times from other owners. Anyone who buys one of these cars is crazy, there is something wrong with the engine (5.2L) and dodge is sticking it to the owners.
May 27, 2001
My son's 2000 V8 engine 4.7 left his family sitting along the road without any warning. He too, changed his oil and filter and had just done it. The cost for used motor is $4,000.00. Chrysler Corp will not stand by because they claim there was sludge in the oil. It really is outrageous that Chrysler will not abide the warranty and place the blame on the consumer. Let's all fight this. L.F.
I have experienced a similar problem with my 1999 Dodge Durnago. The engine blew 300 miles from home with only 56,000 miles. The mechanic in the small Colorado town where we were towed said he has replaced 6 of these engines in the past 6 months--one for a mechanic who changed the oil every two thousand miles. I am waiting for the warranty company to decide whether to pay. Has anyone had any luck getting the warranty to pay?
You may want to lodge a report at www.badbusinessbureau.com.
Gkate1@hotmail.com.
2000 Dodge Durango -Purchased new Feb 2001. Less than two weeks ago (July 30, 2002) without any previous warning, Check gages came on, starting tapping/knocking, lots of smoke, engine died. I had the truck towed to dealer. I have an extended warranty didn't think there would be a problem. Today August 9th, my warranty claim was denied. REASON: Oil sludge build-up due to lack of maintenance. I have over 100+ complaints of the similar problem, if not exact. I have contacted an attorney. Be sure to report your situation to WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV
Due to the information that I have just looked over, my wife and I will not be buying a Dodge Durango, Thank you for posting this on the internet so that others can see and learn of these outrageous problems with Durango. Thanks and best of luck./.
I just recently had an engine in my 99 Durango blow still under the extended 75,000 warranty no lights no warning just smoke and banging from a rod. I have 64,000. A little over a year ago I was told it had sludge in it and
that the dealer would take care of it. They claimed it was due to lack of not changing the oil. The ran a sludge remover in it that according to my bill was $5.00 and then did a an oil change the bill came to about 71.00
including labor. Then they sent me on my way. Today my claim was denied they claim it was due to owner abuse. Not true. When I asked what the proper procedure was for removing sludge after they denied it they said there
is no way to remove it because it is like baked on. Although before they said that they said it could be done by dropping the oil pan and other such stuff. I also called another dodge dealer and they made it sound like it could be done for about $300 - 1000. depending on what needed to be cleaned or replaced. I also talked to other mechanics that said it could be cleaned also. It seems that at the initial onset of this it was not done properly and for $71.00 they could not have done anything much to elevate the problem for the long term.
My 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport also needs a new engine do to oil sludge. Even with semi-regular service they won't do anything. The truck only has 56,000 miles.