2001 Dodge Durango Sport from North America - Comments

My 2001 Dodge Durango only has 56,000 miles and it died on a very busy interstate in Atlanta a few weeks ago. First the oil pressure gauge dropped, then it started making a horrible noise. We had the car towed to our mechanic that we have used for years, only to find out that he could not get any parts to our vehicle because the dealership could not release them to anyone. We had the Durango towed to the Dealer. They told us there was sludge in the engine and we needed a new engine. They told us to contact a representative from Daimler Chrysler. We tried, but the lady who answered the phone would not even let us speak to anyone. She told us it was due to improper maintenance, end of story, did not even ask us if we had receipts for regular oil changes. The new engine cost $6000, but you can bet that we saved the old motor.

This is happening far too often. There must be something wrong with these engines.

There's a class action lawsuit on the "oil sludge" problem.

See http://bigclassaction.com.

Here's another person with the problem who dug up over 182 similar cases: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/defectornot/myhomepage/

Another person mentioned that the plenum gasket part has gone through 4 designs -- I noticed all "oil sludge" problems were 2000 model Durangos. Has it been fixed for 2001+?

Good luck.

My Dodge Durango Nightmare - I purchased a brand new 2001 Dodge Durango in September of 2001. In late September of 2002 the motor went out. The vehicle began overheating. I took in for repair several times only to get it back and it continue to overheat. The motor finally gave out.

My vehicle had 49,000 miles on because I drive 100 per day. After filing a Lemon Law complaint with the State of Texas I finally, after 3 months of arguing my point, got the motor replaced by Dodge. The dealer even verbally admitted to me that there is a flaw with the motor.

Today, my vehicle has 85,000. When the motor got replaced back in October of 2002, Dodge gave me a 100,000 mile warranty.

Today my husband took my vehicle to get inspected and it didn't pass emissions testing and the vehilce is leaking fluids. The mechanic asked my husband if the car had been overheating. My car is back in for service and I have a bad feeling that the engine is going out again based on what the mechanic told my husband.

I also have yet to receive any type of recall parts notice from Dodge on the Durango. I know there is a list of about 10 or more out on the web, but they have not sent me any notices. I have had the same address for the past 10 years.