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Dodge Durango
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Comments
What if when my brakes went out, one of your family
members was crossing the street, or I was behind your
car and I would smash into it. What if someone would have
died. I'm sure you would have had a different view on this issue. Emergency brakes are NOT an option in %90 of
situations and mechanical systems, specially ones that
are part of the cars safety system should NOT fail in a car
that is less than 2 years old. If they do, it shows that the manufacturer has not tested or designed the parts well. And
they should be held accountable for it.
I might be the first the Durango owner that had
this problem, but I'm sure I won't be the last one!!!
People will die on the road because of vehicle malfunction. That is part of the risk we assume when we buckle the belts and turn the ignition key. Anyone who believes otherwise is deceiving themselves into an ignorant bliss. Don't think for a moment that because you're riding on a 5000 pound chariot with dual airbags that you will be safe under all circumstances. As advanced as the techniques are for tracking automobile saftey concerns, design flaws, and manufacturing errors, they have to be discovered somehow. Often they are revealed in the field - us as drivers. Again, that's part of the assumed risk. What, 40,000 annual highway deaths? I'd say you got off pretty lucky, Mister. Instead of balking about a faulty brake pedal assembly on your Durango, why aren't we hearing you praise the wonderful performance of the emergency brake?
Again, it is an unfortunate incident, but very minor compared to the multitude of malfunctions in automobiles. There are many stories of tires falling off, electrical systems failing, and fires. There are no "back-up" systems when these things happen. I have personally had the drive shaft in a Jeep Wrangler drop and hit the ground after the universal broke. I was fortunate that it didn't catch in a tire as I was doing 70mph at the time on a very busy highway. I never blamed the manufacturer, but rather blamed myself for not checking underneath the Jeep more often.
hassan_agha - What if you didn't drive at all? Then I'd have nothing to worry about! I don't know why you would want to get rid of the Durango now. You had a freak occurance, and the likelihood of it happening again in the same vehicle would be very slim (kind of like getting hit with lightning twice). Count your blessings and realize the experience has made you a stronger person able to deal with emergency situations.
A customer bought a can of Glade air freshener. He sprayed the entire can in his car to get out a funky odor. After he sprayed the car he decided the smell was even worse. He demanded that we refund his money and clean his car. Even hired an attorney (somebody must pay!)
Sometimes things just go wrong. Get over it.
I don't blame them. If something was to happen to my family because of part failure due to shoddy workmanship, I'd be as PO'd as well.
I believe the post you are actually referring to was a woman who was complaining about her D not stopping after someone pulled in front of her. The complaint had more to do with the brakes being inadequate, not failing.
This complaint I agree with. The front disc brakes are sub-standard for this size truck. I have replaced my rotors with slotted, cross-drilled upgrades and better pads, but they still could be larger. Of course, many people who drive SUVs try to drive them like a car, and learn the hard way that you need to give yourself extra distance for braking.
I don't see why DC just doesn't add rear discs or better front ones on a truck this size. I'm going to do the rear disc conversion on my D as soon as I'm done with the 3.4 pulley upgrade on my wife's GTP.
BTW, I also supercharged my D. I'm running an 11lb pulley on the Powerdyne kit. The last dyno was 256hp at the wheels, but that was with a 6lb pulley. Now if I could only get 27mpg on the D!
I wish my wife's GTP got 27 MPG. Unfortunately, she came with the "lead foot" option. After the Buick STB & sway bar installs, she now also loves to toss it into corners at high speeds. I don't even want to think about what will happen after the pulley upgrade.
It concerns me that the part I needed was on national back order. Why? Is this a problem with the 98 Durangos?
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Anybody who is out there and thinking about a dodge durango, all I can say is DON'T. I had one and had nothing but problems with it. Not only that but at least 5 other people I talked to who have one have also had serious problems with them. I just got rid of mine and bought a brand new lexus gs430. The difference is amazing. Before the durango I had a 1996 jeep grand cherokee and even that drove much much better than the durango. The durango also gets terrible gas mileage, much worse than what chrysler claims. Thats all I have to say.
BTW, there are over 1000 Durango owners in the Durango Owners Club, and very few serious problems are ever reported. Likewise, the many Dakota clubs are as trouble-free.
Good luck with your GS430. That is a solid vehicle, but for ~$45,000, it better be. I think I'd buy a Regal GS instead, pocket the $20,000, get better mpg, and still smoke that 4.3 V8.
The front license plate bracket on my Durango hangs about 2" below the front bumper. Believe it or not, I've actually had it off road where only that license plate bracket kept me from clearing a ravine. The bracket bound up in the dirt and stripped 3 of the 4 screws right out of the enduro. I unscrewed the last one, removed the bracket, and effortlessly (love my D) climbed out of the ditch. CA will site people for no front plate, but I don't want to decrease my approach angle again.
Has anyone found the answer to this problem? A bracket that mounts a little higher? Will that reduce airflow since it would cover the lower part of the radiator?
Thanks - Mike (mikejunkus@yahoo.com)
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
This guy must also be psychic - he seems to know how powerful the Durango is using an engine that it doesn't come with, namely the 3.9 V6. He also never mentions the 4.7. Makes me think that this article was written 2 years ago, and just now got printed with a few tidbits of new info.
Thanks - Mike
http://www.edmunds.com/used/1998/dodge/durango/4drslt4wdwagon/standard.html?id=lin0062
Unfortunately, I think the only solution is to remove the front bracket before heading off-road as suggested. You could relocate the bracket, but I don't think that's a great solution either. Maybe you could find some quick-disconnect type screws/bolts to hold the bracket in place.
diploid,
Yes, the 3.9 V6 was made, but good luck trying to find one. There were supposedly less than 40 made. Should be a collector's item some day.
For the three vehicles you listed here: If money is no object, and you can stomach the mini-van design, the ML430 would probably top most lists.
Both the Durango and the Tahoe are good choices. The Durango feels smaller behind the wheel, and was a bit quicker in pickup. The Tahoe rides a bit smoother, but feels very large, and seems to require more attention to driving due to the size. The Tahoe also has more of a pickup look (which is not necessarily a bad thing).
Reliability in the ML430 will probably be very good, although there were a lot of problems with the 320 when it first debuted. The Durango has proven reliability in the 5.9(360) and 5.2(318) engines, but the 4.7 is relatively new. So far, it seems to be quite good. Likewise, the Tahoe engine is relatively new, but GM truck engines have usually proven quite reliable.
The bottom line it seems would come down to taste in styling, budget, and capacities.
The Durango's 3rd row seat, like every other mid-sized SUV, is meant for children only.
The same goes for the Mercedes.
The Tahoe's 3rd seat is roomy enough for adults, but leg room is a problem. They'll have to sit with their knees to their chest since the floor is raised back there, but the seats are not.
I would choose the Tahoe. It's big, but who would want to stuff 7 people into a mid-size? The 3rd row passengers can always remedy the leg room problem by sitting on extra cushions---they'll just lose out in the headroom department.
Traded it in with 20,000 miles and it only went back to the dealer for oil changes.
SLT 4WD
Options:
SLT Value group
Dealer Price:
26200
Explorer
XLT 4WD
Options:
Premium Stereo w/Cassette & CD
Dealer Price:
28500
Durango pluses were: firm ride, no clanks or rattles, great pickup, very nice interior, excellent center storage console and excellent styling. Durango minuses were. Breaking could be better but coming from a Chevy it was better.
Explorer pluses were: firm ride and excellent braking. Explorer minuses were, poor pickup, couple of rattles, cheap interior (the analog gauges looked as though they were designed by a 2 year old), blah styling, center console was just a big hole.
For 2300 less, I get a third seat, rear AC/Heat and a stereo with cass/CD/EQ with steering wheel mounted controls ... I bought the Durango
I'm looking to buy the above vehicle but unsure how much to pay. Any Canadian buyers out there that may help or does anyone know of a site where I can find information?
Thanks
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Thanks in advance!
The dealer first thought the brake booster was the culprit, but replacing this didn't rid the sound. When I brought it back, they decided then to tell me about a tech bulletin indicating that the plastic induction manifold could cause this sound, some engines worse than others. Supposedly the 2000 engine had the same issue, only worse. Does anyone know a web site that provides these bulletins?
The sound began around 1,300 miles. At 1,200 I switched oil to Mobile 1 synthetic. Could that be a cause?
Any help is much appreciated!
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/index.cfm
Sounds like it might be a loose belt or when you had the oil service they they forgot to button something down.
Didn't see any TSB's on the noise. The dealer now hears the sound, believes it's abnormal (previously they claimed it was normal), and will use a listening device to locate the cause. Now that it's getting a bit more consistent, it clearly comes from the driver's side of the plastic intake manifold, toward the rear of the engine. A slight pull on the throttle cable will cause it. If they ever find the cause, I guess I should post it here for others, in case they encounter the same noise.
Belts checked out ok, including the idlers. As for the oil, I discovered a note I missed in the owners manual under break-in procedures that recommends using the factory oil, which apparently is a special formula, for a few thousand miles prior to changing it. oops. The dealer says my changing it at 1,200 won't cause warranty problems. They did say my gas mileage may never reach full potential, but mine actually went up soon after the change. At around 1,300 miles I was getting 15.5 mpg at 50/50 city/highway driving. I changed it at 4,300 with no effect on the noise.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
If you're going to consider after market springs and shocks, lifted or not, I would consult with your local 4x4 shop. Manufacturers design springs for all types of needs; lots of wheel travel, higher pay loads, etc.. I've been burned with lifts and replacements that are too heavy duty and stiff, so be careful! Finally, I've heard nothing but good things about Edelbrock's high end truck shocks when it comes to nice ride without leaning. Don't know how tough they are. I would first try replacing the shocks before messing with the springs. Good luck.