1998 Dodge Durango engine problems

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

62K MILES DOING THE SPEED LIMIT ON I/70 EAST OF MT COMFORT EXIT. OIL PRESSURE WENT TO 0 BEFORE I COULD SLOW AND GET TO THE SHOULDER THE ENGINE BLEW A ROD THREW THE OIL PAN. HAD IT TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP. HE TOOK THE PAN OFF AND SAID HE THOUGHT THE OIL PUMP HAD FAILED FROM WHAT HE COULD SEE. LOCAL DEALER DID NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM OF THE FAILURES I HAD FOUND ON THE INTERNET AND HE REFERRED ME TO DODGE AND HUNG UP. DODGE REPLIED TO MY INQUIRY BY TELLING ME TO TALK WITH MY LOCAL DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10326917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

HEARD METAL TO METAL RUBBING ON 2/2/09 NOW ON 2/6/09 HUB BEARING BROKE RIGHT SIDE.... WHEEL IS TILED IN TO WHEEL WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10257778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO 0 WHEN RUNNING. IT HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10215969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 98 DODGE DURANGO. VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR ENTIRE TIME WE OWNED IT. MAINTENANCE WAS DONE PROPERLY, AS MY HUSBAND IS A GENERATOR MECHANIC IN THE MILITARY AND KEEPS A VERY RIGID MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR ALL OF OUR CARS. MID MAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST OIL PRESSURE, AFTER AND OIL CHANGE VEHICLE WAS FINE FOR MONTHS. THEN MID AUGUST IT STARTS AGAIN, AGAIN OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT LEAST EVERY 6000 MILES BY CHRYSLER'S INSTRUCTIONS. BEFORE WE CAN EVEN GET OFF OF THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND NOW WILL RUN BUT LOSSES OIL PRESSURE BEFORE WE GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND KNOCKING STARTS SOON AFTER. COMPRESSION IS LOST IN TWO HEAD GASKETS DUE TO THIS AND THE MECHANIC SAYS THE SLUDGE IS THE PROBLEM, THOUGH THE MECHANIC CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY BECAUSE HE KNOWS HOW OFTEN THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED. HE CAN ONLY EXPLAIN THAT AN OIL CHANGE DOES NOT DRAIN THE BUILD UP THAT IS ALREADY INSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THAT IT HAS JUST BEEN DEVELOPING OVER TIME BUT IS VERY ABNORMAL. CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD TAKE ACTION, I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10177960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING. HAD TWO NEW ENGINES PUT IN THE VEHICLE, AND OVERHEATED A THIRD TIME, AND VEHICLE WAS BACK IN THE SHOP. FIRST TIME MECHANIC SAID IT WAS DUE TO OIL LEAKING. SECOND TIME DEALER GOT A USED ENGINE THAT WAS CRACKED, AND THIRD TIME WANTED TO PUT ANOTHER USED ENGINE .

NHTSA complaint #10124657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OIL PRESSURE ON 1998 DURANGO KEPT DROPPING TO 0. MANY TRIPS TO DEALER WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. SEPT '01, ENGINE FAILED. REPLACED ENGINE AT COST OF $4500. SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN OLD ENGINE. CHRYSLER TRIED TO SAY IT WAS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER OIL CHANGES. NOT TRUE. MARCH, 2005 OIL PRESSURE IS DROPPING TO 0 AGAIN. CAR IS AT REPAIR FACILITY. THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW OIL SENDING UNIT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL FAIL AGAIN DUE TO THE APPARENT DEFECT IN THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE CHRYSLER MAKES. WHAT CAN BE DONE? DEC. 2003 WE REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS FOR $1300. FIND OUT IN 2004 THAT CHRYSLER RECALLED 2000-2003 DURANGOS FOR DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. WHY WERE THE 1998 AND 99 MODELS LEFT OUT? IS THIS NOT THE SAME PART AS THE 2000? CHRYSLER MERELY SAYS NO MORE INFORMATION OTHER THAN 98 IS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #10114524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OUR SERPENTINE BELT, AND TENSIONER AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THIS IS NOT A STANDARD WEAR ITEM, AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REPLACING THESE BELTS AND TENSIONERS ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DESIGN AND PARTS OF THIS SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER SYSTEM ARE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10109811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH ON ICY ROAD, TURNED RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AND "IT WAS AS IF YOU THOWED THE VEHICLE INTO NUETRAL". CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10104501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I HAVE A 1998 BALL JOINTS, AND THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I FIGURED THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO MAKE MONEY FOR ANOTHER JOB. I WENT DIRECTLY TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD SHOP TO SEE WHAT THEY SAID AND THEY AGREED. DODGE KNEW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. ALSO, A CASH COW TO THEM AT $1500.00. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE GENTLY AND ONLY HAD HIGH 50000 MILES AT THE TIME OF REPAIR. 1998 DURANGO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED AND THE TRANNY FAILED. THE INTAKE GASKET MANIFOLD FAILED AND CONSUMED 1 QT OF OIL IN TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE USES EXCESSIVE ANTI FREEZ. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS CONNECTING ROD AND BEARINGS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO MANY PROBLEMS AND DEALER KNEW OF THE PROBLEMS BEFOREHAND. FOUR BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10103572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING MY1998 DURANGO THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE SUDDENLY STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN .WITH IN A MINUTE OR TWO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE I CALLED A MECHANIC HE STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DURANGOS SAID IT WOULD COST OVER 3000 TO FIX I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE 1 YR AND HAVE REPLACED BRAKES AC COMPRESSOR BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS KIND OF REPAIRS I AM A SINGLE MOM AND RECENTLY LOST MY JOB.

NHTSA complaint #10100979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN MARCH OF 1998. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 3 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS EXCELLENT UNTIL ABOUT 52,000 MILES. 1ST REPAIR, WATER PUMP. AT ABOUT 56,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT ABOUT 61,000 HEATER CORE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. AT 77,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD AGAIN. AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO STIFFEN UP AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION. DURANGOS DO NOT HAVE RACK AND PINIONS, THEY HAVE GEAR BOXES. AT ABOUT 94,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT 106,000 TRASNMISSION REBUILD AND INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER THIS TIME AROUND ALONG WITH AN AFTERMARKET TRANSMISSION GAUGE WHICH TELLS ME THE TEMP OF THE TRANS(PRICE WAS $125.00 FOR GAUGE AND WIRING). CALLED DODGE WAS LIKE TALKING TO MY DOG, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I SWORE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THAT THE DAY I BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER IS THE DAY I EAT S**T!!! DODGE CARS AND TRUCKS SUCK, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CRAP AND I HAD TO SPEND MONEY $$$ OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR REPAIRS ALONE ALMOST $9,500.00, OUT OF WHICH CHRYSLER KEPT SAYING ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. YOU KNOW WHEN ITS THEIR PROBLEM, WHEN THEY SCREW WITH SOMEONE WHO ISN'T JUST JOE SCHMOE WALKING IN TO BUY A CAR. SOMEONE WITH A DEGREE IN LAW SO THAT THEY CAN ROYALLY GE SMACKED IN THE FACE AND HELP ALL THE OTHER UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO ARE STUCK WITH DODGE SUCKS (TRUCKS). WHOEVER WANTS TO BUY A DODGE, BE PREPARED FOR A RUDE AWAKENING. THEY ARE GOING TO RAPE YOU!

NHTSA complaint #10090677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN MARCH OF 1998. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 3 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS EXCELLENT UNTIL ABOUT 52,000 MILES. 1ST REPAIR, WATER PUMP. AT ABOUT 56,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT ABOUT 61,000 HEATER CORE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. AT 77,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD AGAIN. AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO STIFFEN UP AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION. DURANGOS DO NOT HAVE RACK AND PINIONS, THEY HAVE GEAR BOXES. AT ABOUT 94,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT 106,000 TRASNMISSION REBUILD AND INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER THIS TIME AROUND ALONG WITH AN AFTERMARKET TRANSMISSION GAUGE WHICH TELLS ME THE TEMP OF THE TRANS(PRICE WAS $125.00 FOR GAUGE AND WIRING). CALLED DODGE WAS LIKE TALKING TO MY DOG, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I SWORE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THAT THE DAY I BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER IS THE DAY I EAT S**T!!! DODGE CARS AND TRUCKS SUCK, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CRAP AND I HAD TO SPEND MONEY $$$ OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR REPAIRS ALONE ALMOST $9,500.00, OUT OF WHICH CHRYSLER KEPT SAYING ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. YOU KNOW WHEN ITS THEIR PROBLEM, WHEN THEY SCREW WITH SOMEONE WHO ISN'T JUST JOE SCHMOE WALKING IN TO BUY A CAR. SOMEONE WITH A DEGREE IN LAW SO THAT THEY CAN ROYALLY GE SMACKED IN THE FACE AND HELP ALL THE OTHER UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO ARE STUCK WITH DODGE SUCKS (TRUCKS). WHOEVER WANTS TO BUY A DODGE, BE PREPARED FOR A RUDE AWAKENING. THEY ARE GOING TO RAPE YOU!

NHTSA complaint #10090677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO IN MARCH OF 1998. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 3 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WAS EXCELLENT UNTIL ABOUT 52,000 MILES. 1ST REPAIR, WATER PUMP. AT ABOUT 56,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT ABOUT 61,000 HEATER CORE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. AT 77,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD AGAIN. AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO STIFFEN UP AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEEL THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION. DURANGOS DO NOT HAVE RACK AND PINIONS, THEY HAVE GEAR BOXES. AT ABOUT 94,000 TRANSMISSION REBUILD. AT 106,000 TRASNMISSION REBUILD AND INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER THIS TIME AROUND ALONG WITH AN AFTERMARKET TRANSMISSION GAUGE WHICH TELLS ME THE TEMP OF THE TRANS(PRICE WAS $125.00 FOR GAUGE AND WIRING). CALLED DODGE WAS LIKE TALKING TO MY DOG, THEY SAID THAT IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I SWORE TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THAT THE DAY I BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER IS THE DAY I EAT S**T!!! DODGE CARS AND TRUCKS SUCK, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CRAP AND I HAD TO SPEND MONEY $$$ OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR REPAIRS ALONE ALMOST $9,500.00, OUT OF WHICH CHRYSLER KEPT SAYING ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. YOU KNOW WHEN ITS THEIR PROBLEM, WHEN THEY SCREW WITH SOMEONE WHO ISN'T JUST JOE SCHMOE WALKING IN TO BUY A CAR. SOMEONE WITH A DEGREE IN LAW SO THAT THEY CAN ROYALLY GE SMACKED IN THE FACE AND HELP ALL THE OTHER UNFORTUNATE ONES WHO ARE STUCK WITH DODGE SUCKS (TRUCKS). WHOEVER WANTS TO BUY A DODGE, BE PREPARED FOR A RUDE AWAKENING. THEY ARE GOING TO RAPE YOU!

NHTSA complaint #10090677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON 1998 DODGE DURANGO.*MRTHE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO CHECK THE ENGINE THE CONSUMER MAY INCUR A $1000 INORDER TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE WAS THE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY A BLOW ENGINE AND THAT A NEWW ONE WOULD COST $3000-$4000. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10089108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I PURCHASED A 1998 DODGE DURANGO, SLT, BRAND NEW. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROP TO ZERO AND TWICE HAVE REPLACED THE OIL SENDING(?) UNIT. IN JULY, 2004, WHILE ON VACATION, THE OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO ZERO, IT STARTS KNOCKING AND BEFORE WE CAN GET TO AN EXIT IT GETS LOUD AND DIES. WE COAST INTO A FILLING STATION AND THE OIL IS RUNNING OUT ON THE GROUND. MY HUSBAND WALKS TO A U'HAUL AND RENTS A TRUCK AND TRAILER, GOES TO A HARDWARE STORE AND BUYS A COME-ALONG TO GET THE DURANGO ONTO THE TRAILER TO TOW IT HOME. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FIND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE AMONG THE DODGE DURANGOS. WHEN WE STARTED OUT FOR VACATION, THE DURANGO HAD 69,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE TO TOW MINE HOME, BUY A NEW ENGINE, RENT A VEHICLE TO GET BACK AND FORTH FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND WITHOUT EVEN BEING CLOSE TO FINISHED WITH THIS NIGHTMARE, I AM AT THE $3,000 MARK. I ALSO BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. ANY RECOURSE POSSIBLE?

NHTSA complaint #10086080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DURING A DRIVE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. I STOPPED, TO CHECK THE OIL WHICH WAS FINE. 2 DAYS LATER I COMPLETELY LOST OIL PRESSURE AFTER HAVING CHNGED MY OIL RECENTLY. I OWNED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PUMP AND SCREEN REPLACED. AFTER READING THE WEB I REALIZED THIS IS A DODGE DEFECT THAT THEY HAVE KNOW ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10080714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 1998 DODGE DURANGO. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND DRIVE SHAFT, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY FAILED. THE SUV HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR; ALL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS COMPUTER/SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW 15 MONTHS LATER, THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I WANTED TO KNOW IF OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE ONLY PEOPLE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO HAVE BEEN THE LOW LEVEL EMPLOYEE. THEY WILL NOT, AND PROBABLY HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO, FORWARD THE CALL TO SOMEONE IN UPPER MANAGEMENT. THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE COMMON.THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA complaint #10079219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE ACQUIRED IN JULY OF 2004. ALL COMPONENT SYSTEM FAILURES LISTED HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THAT TIMEFRAME. ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO TWO (2) FREEZE PLUGS THAT FAILED BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING. REVERSE LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTION AND CAUSE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. FRONT TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AS WERE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR FACILITY REQUIRING UPPER BALL JOINT AND TIE-ROD END REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10072937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *PH A FAULTY INTAKE GASKET CAUSED AN OIL LEAK. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. *NM *SC

NHTSA complaint #10071559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FRONT BRAKES (REPLACED 3X'S IN ONE YEAR) KEEP FAILING ON DODGE DURANGO CAUSING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND ALIGNMENT TO SHIFT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES 4 TIMES AND THE REAR TIRES TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE JANUARY 2,2000. ALL TIRES WEAR AT AN ANGLE WITH SEVERAL BALD SPOTS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. I ALSO REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR FEBRUARY 2003. NOW THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT WORKING. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY 300.00 OUT OF POCKET FOR WHATEVER REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10070543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 98 DURANGO. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, AND THE VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES. THE CURRENT PROBLEM, AND THE ONE FOR WHICH I FILED THE COMPLAINT, DEALS WITH THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS NOT UNCTIONING. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WENT OUT LAST YEAR. WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE PASSENGER WINDOW WENT OUT, AND THE RIGHT REAR HAS BEGUN TO OPERATE INCONSISTENTLY. AS FOR REPAIRS, A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER SAID THEY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM ARE THE WINDOW REGULATORS. AS TO COST, I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH CHRYSLER CORP.(NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER) AS TO WHAT THEY WILL DO TO FIX. MY OWN INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR DURANGO. JUST TODAY CHRYSLER HAS ASKED ME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RE-DIAGNOSED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (AT MY COST). THEY WILL THEN DETERMINE IF AND WHAT THEY WILL DO. HOWEVER, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE FELT A TOTAL REPAIR COMPENSATION FOR THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AND SUGGESTED I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I INFORMED HIM OF MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM TO LITTLE AVAIL. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS THE FINAL DECISION MAKER FOR THIS SITUATION, AND IN CASE OF MY DISAGREEMENT WITH HIS DECISION, I HAD NO OTHER RECOURSE THROUGH CHRYSLER CORP. I ALSO HAVE A WORSENING REAR MAIN SEAL OIL LEAK. THE PRELIMINARY REPAIR ESTIMATE IS OVER $1200. AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE, I'VE ASKED CHRYSLER TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR COST. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER, BUT FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10070566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WITH 40,000 MILES HAD TO INSTALL LOWER BALL JOINTS AND RIGHT SIDE INNER TIRE ROD I INSTALLED LEFT INNER TIE ROD AND UPPER BALL JOINTS WHEN VEHICLE WAS APART, ALSO INSTALLED MONO-MAX KYB SHOCKS FRONT AND REAR AND INSTALL NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES FRONT AND REAR HAD 2 DIFFERENT PEOPLE CHECK AND SET ALIGNMENT AND CAN NOT GET VEHICLE TO STOP DRIFTING RIGHT ANDHAS CHOPPED WEAR PATTEN ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAS TO INSTALL NEW THERMOSTAT GASKET.

NHTSA complaint #10060518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE'S OIL PRESSURE DROPPED TO ZERO AND THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10055844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MY 1998 DODGE DURANGO CONTINUES TO SHOW PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND FRONT. THERE ARE ONLY 57000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE MILES HAVE BEEN EASY MILES, (ALL ON ROAD AND EASY DRIVING). I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING BOX, AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS PLUS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND DRUM. ALL OF THIS HAS COST $550 THE FIRST TIME AND $880 THE SECOND TIME. THIS COST COME IN ADDITION TO REPLACEMENT A HEAD GASKET AND REAR WINDOWS THAT DON'T WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10049289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SEAT RELEASE FAILURE, WHINING NOISE IN REVERSE, AND KNOCKING SOUNDS WHILE ACCELERATING. MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LOOSE AND WOBBLY STEERING WHEEL. HE REPLACED UPPER BALL JOINT AND LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM.

NHTSA complaint #10047942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT MY WHEELS WERE GETTING READY TO FALL OFF AND THE TRUCK WAS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN AUGUST OF 2003. I BARELY HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES ON IT ARE TERRIBLE. WHEN IT IS RAINING I HYDROPLANE JUST ABOUT EVER TIME I PUT ON THE BRAKES. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE LIGHT IS NOW ON. THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOW BROKEN. IT STAYS AT ZERO MOST OF THE TIME BUT WILL OCCASIONALLY JUMP UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK MAKES A HORRIBLE SOUND WHEN IT LOCKS. LAST BUT NOT LEAST WHENEVER I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AND GO OVER 60 MPH THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #10038973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL PUMP FAILURE AND SLUDGE BUILDUP. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 2-11-02 AT 65,499 MILES. ENGINE REPLACED AND SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 16, 2003 AT 91,749 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10030305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RETURNING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP, THE DURANGO STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE, THEN QUIT WITHIN SECONDS OF THE ORIGINAL NOISE, WITH A LOUD CLUNK. THE "CHECK ENGINE GUAGES" LIGHT DID NOT COME ON PRIOR TO THE LOUD NOISE. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND FORTUNATELY THE ENGINE QUIT NEXT TO A VEHICLE TURNOUT. IF THE ENGINE FAILURE HAD OCCURED A FEW SECONDS EARLIER, OR A FEW SECONDS LATER, MY LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS DANGER, AND I WOULD HAVE ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AT RISK OF HITTING MY STALLED VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC FOUND A USED ENGINE AND INSTALLED IT. NEW INSTALLED ENGINE RAN QUITE WELL FOR ABOUT 300 MILES. THIS TIME, THE FAILURE WAS FORWARNED BY A "CHECK ENGINE GUAGES" LIGHT AND BELL. CHECKING THE GUAGES, I FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY - OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP WERE OK. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE SECOND BELL AS WELL. THE THIRD BELL, AND I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF DUE TO THE OIL PRESSURE GUAGE FALLING TO ZERO. TOWING THE DURANGO TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE ADVISED THAT WE SHOULD CHANGE THE OIL PUMP, BUT ADVISED ME THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PUMP SCREEN, AND THAT FURTHER DAMAGE WAS PROBBABLE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE PUMP CHANGED, AND DRIVE IT TO HIS SHOP FOR INSPECTION - A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES. THE DURANGO MADE IT 15 MILES BEFORE QUITTING. THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS ENGINE CREATES A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE. IF THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT THINK A RECALL NECESSARY, THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE A RECALL. THIS ENGINE WILL CREATE SERIOUS HARM TO SOMEONE. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME....

NHTSA complaint #10028866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. $178 TO REPLACE/REPAIR. MY VEHICLE APPARENTLY NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL OF 216,000 VEHICLES. CLOCK SPRING FAILURE RESULTS IN FAILURE OF AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. I GUESS I'M EXTREMELY LUCKY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A LIFE-ALTERING ACCIDENT. *NLM REFER TO RECALL # 01V153000. PER INVOICE, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THERE WERE RATTLES UPON ACCELERATION, THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND #5 CYLINDER MISFIRE AND REMOVED THE #5 SPARK PLUG AND VIEWED SIGNS OF COOLANT ON THE SPARK PLUG. (RECOMMENDED REMOVAL OF THE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD FOR FURTHER INSPECTION/CONSUMER DECLINED) THERE WAS ALSO A SCRAPING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, THE CLOCKSPRING WAS FOUND FAULTY DUE TO INTERNAL DAMAGE, THE CLOCKSPRING UNIT WAS REPLACED. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10023339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.