Faults:

This vehicle has had 5 oil pumps in it from carbon deposits building up in the oil pan. The first oil pump went out at about 36000 miles. The second near 58000 miles. The third at 85000, the fourth at 105,000 and it has 125,000 and needs another on. This is ridiculous. The vehicle gets an oil change every 3000 miles and I have receipts to prove it.

It also had a transmission failure at 85000 miles.

Electrical problems with the rear power windows not working, and the rear wiper motor failing.

General Comments:

The vehicle design is fairly good. It hauls material and people just fine. The four wheel drive feature in the winter is great. I have never been stuck. The oil pump issue is maddening. I take good care of my vehicles and do not wish to pawn engine trouble off on anyone else. I have spoken with numerous others who have had similar problems. Seems like it might be a defect in the engine.

Faults:

Broken ball joints that the dealership admitted were defective was denied to be by the factory rep, even at 21k miles.

Defective steering unit admitted by dealer was not supported by the factory. Cost $1280. Occured at 40k miles.

Poorly designed front rotors wear out repeatedly during normal driving conditions.

Replaced PCM two times.

Replaced timing module two times.

Transmision failure after 40k miles. Now again at 100k miles.

Clear coat flaking at 23k miles.

Has been at dealership service center for repairs a total of 31 days.

Other repair facilities for 3 days.

Latest adventure happened during a front collision. Air bags did not deploy, nor did the anti-lock brakes work.

General Comments:

I like the comfort and the power as well as many of the options, but this vehicle has to be the biggest lemon I have ever owned. Gas mileage is poor as well.

Too many defects from the factory, as well as having a long history of defective parts that have been investigated nationwide, make this vehicle a no-go.

Also, the poor mechanical histories of these Durangos have plunged the resale price into the sewer.

Faults:

The original wiper blades had disintegrated by 40,000 miles. I do not live in snow and ice country.

The original tires (Goodyear) had become so noisy by 80,000 miles that conversation in the vehicle was impossible at highway speeds. There was no unusual wear. These were replaced with a standard automobile tire set with a 35,000 mile warranty. The silence was almost unbearable. These tires now have 50,000 miles with no unusual wear.

At 54,000 miles, the camshaft position sensor failed and stranded the family on a rainy night. This was an extraordinarily expensive piece of plastic.

At 64,000 miles, a sudden stream of water appeared running of the water pump shaft. Since there had been no "warning" drips, I investigated with a mirror and flashlight. I found a trail of water coming from underneath the A/C compressor. Then I saw the end of the heater bypass hose. Much work was required to gain access to this $1.00 hose. The replacement hose was twice as thick and braided.

The power steering pump failed at 91,000 miles. Easy, but expensive, replacement. The serpentine belt was replaced at this time due to wear and cracks.

At 92,000 miles the transmission speed sensor failed. Another extraordinarily expensive piece of plastic!

At 96,000 miles, I inspected the rear drum brake shoes. They were 50% worn away.

At 98,000 miles, the Rear Wheel Antilock Brake system sensor on the differential failed. This unit had been failing for some time as my vehicle speedometer would not operate until higher and higher speeds were reached. This also caused rough transmission shifting.

The front brake pads were replaced for the first time at 111,000 miles.

I have also experienced repetitive problems with the front passenger door window drive motor. The gearbox on this unit sticks. A light rap with a small hammer frees it up, but getting to it is a nuisance. A replacement unit requires a home equity loan.

I have had no oil sludge, oil pressure loss or antifreeze problems.

The major concern I had with this vehicle is a safety issue. The Rear Wheel Anti-lock Brake system utilizes a speed pickup on each rear wheel and one on the differential. If the system detects drive shaft motion and a "stopped" wheel, it assumes the brake is locked and releases the brake on that wheel. The fallacy in that is the sensitivity of the speed pickups. The first "panic" stop I had to make in this vehicle was frightening. The right rear wheel locked (as is normal on a rear wheel drive vehicle). I was prepared for that and corrected with the steering wheel. Then the antilock braking system released that wheel and the left rear locked. I was not ready for that and lost control. Fortunately, other drivers avoided my spinning vehicle. The second time, I finally stopped sideways in the oncoming lane. Thankfully, there was no oncoming traffic. The next time I found myself in a ditch. This was enough. I could no longer drive a vehicle that I was afraid to brake. I disconnected the plug for the wiring to the two antilock solenoids. This caused a "Christmas tree" of idiot lights to illuminate in the dash. I installed two one watt resistors on the plug coil connections to fool the circuit continuity checker and the lights extinguished. Several months later, I slid to a stop when another driver in the inside lane decided he wanted to get off the interstate at the exit we just passed. I stayed in my lane, made a lot of tire smoke; but I stopped safely and quickly. I also remembered my high school and college physics courses. Sliding friction is much greater than rolling friction. Detroit seems to have forgotten that.

Would I buy another Durango? Yes. My wife wants one also.

I've never owned any car that didn't have some sort of nagging problem. Despite Detroit's claim that millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours are devoted to vehicle development, one wonders why simple problems that were solved many decades ago continue to reoccur.