16th Oct 2005, 12:08
I'm on my third Durango, a 2005 with a 5.7 hemi. So far, a great vehicle. Also had a '99 with a 5.2 and a '02 with a 5.9.
Had a recall on the ball joints and intermediate shaft on the steering colume on both of the older models. Warranty covered with no problems. The '02 had reverse go out after a couple of neutral drops. I also towed extensively, sometimes up to 14000 lbs, way beyond towing limit for this truck, so trans failure didn't surprise me. All this was covered under warranty with no problems at all at my local dealership, which I didn't even buy from. Never any engine issues at all in the 40k-50k miles I put on them, even with 6k-8k miles between oil changes.
28th Oct 2005, 18:37
I have a 2004 2500 4x4 with the 5.7 HEMI. I have had the transmission rebuilt at 34000 miles the computer went out last April and now at 48000 miles the rods are knocking. As soon as I carried it in they started There defense. I had an independent Mechanic Shop pick it so that I will have expert witnesses in my corner. Hope you all have better luck than I have had with my first and last Dodge.
7th Nov 2005, 22:28
Our 2000 Dodge Durango oil gauge would drop to 0 every time you accelerated, but would be fine if you turned the truck off and on again until you stepped on the gas pedal again. Immediately had it towed to the garage suggested by our warranty agent. A week after they had our truck they decided that there was sludge in the engine. We were told that it would take 9 hours to get to the oil pump. At $100 an hour for just the labor and if they discovered a dirty screen we would have to foot the whole bill which would be about $1800 in just labor. Disappointed to say they still have our truck and it has been over three weeks without a rental. Thanks Dodge.
8th Jan 2006, 22:15
Seems like about all of these gripes are about the OLD MODEL Durangos, The 2ND GEN (2004-2006) has been great! I have over 36K so far on mine and no problem, I have been off road with it and towed my 4500lbs mini van on a trailer over 500 miles.
My kids love the DVD and the wireless headphones. They give myself and the wife some peace while traveling. If your kids are that bored even with all the toys they have problems or are just spoiled. It a shame to have someone who bought the wrong car in the first place defame it due to their poor ability to choose.
I have had no problems. It's a great vehicle! I have many dodges and Chryslers and I have no idea what the complaints are, My mini van (94 town and country) made it over 200k on the original trans. Regular maintainance seems to be about it for these. That's why Dodge is all I buy.
Seems funny to me that with all the bad press about U.S. automakers these days no one seems to mention that DCX is up almost as much as Toyota and is GAINING market share.
Must be some reason for that.
11th Jan 2006, 20:55
2000 Dodge Duango - Lock regulator on the drivers side needed to be replaced and the power window motor on the passenger side rear window needed to be replaced.
All of these oil pressure problems that I read about here is scary.
Dodge seems to be more concerned about how their rides look and not how they run.
Plain and simple - Toyota and Honda build quality. I have a 1995 Toyota Camry with 120,000 miles and is going strong.
I see less and less of the older Dodge Durangos on the road.
Just bought a Ford F150 truck. I heard and read they run forever like the foreign rides.
Dodge just doesn't get it. They are losing customers who will never return.
GM lost me after a Pontiac I bought went bad at 30,000 miles. GM told me tough luck and refused to help. That was 25 years ago and I have not bought a GM or GMC ride again.
The best rides are Japanese for reliability.
Sorry to those that say, "Buy American".
23rd Mar 2006, 19:57
We bought our 2005 Dodge Durango Slt 4.7l used, with 20,432 miles on it. We purchased a Dodge product because we ARE Dodge enthusiasts. Unfortunately, unlike our previous dodge vehicles, I am very disappointed with this vehicle.
The check engine light started coming on at 26,000 miles. Diagnostic testing showed a bad O2 sensor. The dealership replaced the sensor. I drove less than 2 miles from the dealership and the light was on again. This time they diagnosed a bad egr valve. This took 1 week for the part to be shipped from California to Ohio. I drove it for 2 days and the check engine light came back on again. Back to the dealership. This time it was the O2 sensor code again, but they were going to investigate further. They diagnosed exhaust manifold gaskets were causing this O2 sensor code??? Another week before they got the manifold gaskets to install. Another 3 days to install. Drove home and 2 days later the check engine light came on again!!! This time they said they were going to try to change the powertrain control module. They then notified us that the vehicle has California emissions (which is odd, because we live in and purchased the vehicle in Ohio). Now our vehicle has been in the shop for 4 days again, and the service manager stated they are trying to have a dealership in California program this pcm on-line as they are not familiar with the California emissions equipped vehicle and the computer keeps rejecting it.
This is obviously the same problem, as the vehicle has been out of its 36,000 mile warranty since the second visit and they continue to attempt to fix it without charge.
Anyone else having this type of problem please post. Does anyone else think we have a lemon?
We have been loyal Dodge owners for over 15 years. In fact, we own a 1995 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton that has won races at the race track, won pulls on the pulling track, pushed snow in Northeast Ohio for 11 years and after a new paint job, looks and sounds like new.
That is why we purchased a Dodge Durango. That is why we are so disappointed with it.
6th Oct 2005, 11:24
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango, I Love my vehicle. Never had serious problems with it at all. Until now, Labor Day Weekend I was coming home with my family from a vacation, My husband was driving all was good, until we hit this hill on the highway, all of a sudden we lost all oil pressure, We pulled over right away. Opened the hood and saw oil over the engine. We called our warranty company to have it towed right then, I did not want to damage my vehicle further. I did not get the choice to tow it to my regular Dodge dealership, but one close by. I was not going to argue at this point, my two small children were in the car I just want them off the Highway on the holiday.
To make a long story short I need a new engine, the warranty company will not honor the warranty due to "Carbon in the Engine, due to neglect". I was in shock, I have never ever Neglected my vehicle, matter of fact I proved oil changes after 2,000 mile on my vehicle, back for 2 years. I was still denied now the story changes to "Sludge". So I spent two days going thru boxes from our move a couple years ago and found more oil change receipts. Great so I have turn them in. I just got off the phone with warranty company and there still is not outcome.
I also would like to add, that I had a Mechanic go to the dealership with me yesterday to have a second option, and we found a lot of metal shrapnel from the bearings and my vehicle shows that I was still getting oil. Even the Mechanic that was working on my vehicle agreed that "Neglect" was not a factor.
I have investigated on the web and cannot believe how many people have had this problem. There is something dead wrong about this and there should be a recall.
I have been without my Durango for over a month now, and still counting.