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My 2000 Dodge Durango IS A LEMON!
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I am seriously considering trading the durango for a different type of SUV.
Signed,
Unsatisfied and Upset
You did it, U Won ! Worldwide consumers have paid there hard earned money and you provided worldwide consumers with the worst Engineered vehicles on Earth...
Got to hand it to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth you have Won beaten all your consumers.
Wise old saying you can't read a book by its cover :O)
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth great looking vehicle unfortunately for the unsuspecting consumer even to date Transmission failure, head gasket failure , too many more serious problems Etc...
Just read this Newsgroup 2% Satisfied , 98% Unsatisfied . Surf the internet U will find 100s of thousands of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle owners that are Big Losers. Telling there Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle Horror stories.
Now that Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth consumers have read the book by owning one of the worst Engineered vehicles on Earth. Consumers worldwide learned a costly but valuable lesson.
Now we have come to realize. Yes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth they are the Winners.
Yep we the "Consumers of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicles are the BIG LOSERS" !
Were losing vehicle trade in, Value its Awful.
Quality Automobile Dealers don't want your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle offering 50% of Galves Trade in if in Mint Condition.
Even Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth Dealers are offering 50% of Galves. Now we are driving around in a nearly worthless Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle and paying for Major repairs :O(
Its not going to get any better cause Smart Consumers are not Buying a New or even thinking of buying a used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle.
We sure learned a Valuable Lesson > Never again buy Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicles. For those few Die Hards remember( Only a Fool Loses Twice )
Rejoice fellow Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle consumers now it is our turn to Win.
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth your profits are gone, Stocks are dropping to an all time low Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth is just hanging on by a thread bankruptcy is near Hooray - Yeah !
Now how does it feel to be a LOSER ! Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth :O)
Worldwide automotive consumers buy smart be a Winner don't become a Loser like the rest of us who owned or still own the worst engineered vehicles on Earth.
Let Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth become the final Loser.
Just go to any RV or Hitch outfit (like U-Haul towing centers). Shop around of course.
You can even buy one from Pep Boys, Auto World, etc. They have them on the shelf. But you have to be mechanically adept to install it.
I was also told it needs a new front end (ball joints), 3 months ago I had to put in a water pump, I had it in for a window motor, etc...
There are 60k highway miles on it and I do NOT tow anything with it.
Chrysler said "we can't help you, you should have purchased the $2500 extendend warrantee"
We also used to own an Intrepid ES in which the transmission went at 40k miles along with the air conditioning system...
My Limited Grand Cherokee - ditto.
Needless to say I will NEVER own another Chrysler product again. And I hope whoever is reading this will do the same.
The rear tires are perfect and don't have any signs of abnormal wear.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Would stiffer shocks help this condition? I'd appreciate any input and/or suggestions.
In defense of the Durango, though (since so many people post just their problems), the vehicle has been a flawless performer. Whether for long-haul road trips, around town go-getter, daily commuter, or off-roader, my Durango does all that it is asked and more. The only problem I've ever had after over three years and 40,000 miles is a dead battery - which was replaced under warranty. Everything works like a champ. No interior rattles, no engine problems (5.9L ooomph!). Following the scheduled maintenance costs more than owning a car, but that is the price of owning a 4WD. I change the oil and filter myself (die hard Mobil1 fan) every 3K, and do other minor maintenance. I treat the car well, and it has treated me well.
Anyway, just wanted to put a positive plug in for the D. Again, if anyone has some insight as to the tire problem, please let me know.
PLEASE RESPOND with any ideas about Wind Noise.. thx.
We have a durango and it just hit 65,000 miles. We didn't have any problems, then one day we drove down the interstate and it stopped. We got a call a few days later from our dodge dealer and they said it was a pump and would be fixed soon. They then called back about ten minutes later and said a rod had gone through the engine and it needed replaceing. After alot of fighting with the dealer, who was a family friend, we paid the over 4,000 dollars to replace the 5.2 liter engine. We got out car back and it was terribly dirty and leaking oil. So we took it in a couple times and the fourth time the dealer said that they would put in another new engine for free. We did not understand this, and are thinking that they might have put in a used engine or something, but we don't know. So we just got our durango back with its third engine. We are going to trade it in for a lexus, and are never going to buy a car from that dealership. (Sam Lehmen, Peoria Illinois)
I am dissapointed with Chrysler for putting out a poor vehicle. We have just started to discover that almost everyone that has a durnago has had major problems. So just in closing I strongly advise anyone to not buy a durango, you'll regret it!!!
Having said that, I AM thrilled with my '98 4X4 5.9. My dad drove it for a year, and then my mom for 2 years, and now I have the vehicle with 40,000 mi on it. Virtually trouble free except for a battery at about 29K that went bad (warranty replacement, no hassle). One has to expect some problems with every vehicle, otherwise you'll be completely dissapointed. Yes, even Toyota's break down.
Moving on to the reason I came here. Over the last year I've noticed what I believe to be valve noise coming from the right cylinder bank. It's more easily heard from underneath the vehicle than it is when I poke my head under the hood. I really don't think it is noise from an accessory, but it increases with 1:1 with engine speed. I'm almost sure it's valve noise (tick, tick, tick, tick). The noise doesn't vary with oil pressure or engine temperature. Engine performance is good as well as gas mileage.
The car is not used under severe service conditions, but I use the severe service maintenance schedule (3K oil chg, etc.) I've used Mobil1 since about 28K miles and have good-as-new oil pressure. Never had any engine problems, overheating, etc. Is this normal? Am I just being oversensitive to little noises? Thanks.
I knew some people would get mad that I post something bad about their car. The facts are that our properly maintained durango, with the supposed bullet proof 5.2 liter engine, died on us. I think its really weird how an engine can just throw a push rod through the wall. The dealer never really told us how it happened either. And they would not help us out on the new engine which cost us 4,000$. And after the second engine was installed and it kept leaking oil, they said they would just replace the entire engine again. That just seems real odd to me. Now with the third engine, the car makes a weird noise at idle. We do drive it alot, its only two years old and has 70,000 miles on it but our other cars all have lasted that. And I am not dogging American cars, most of our cars are American, I just believe from what I have experienced and heard from everyone else I know in the area that has durnagos that they are not put together very well. I am just sharing my experience because that is what these forums are for.
Well hats it, cya
I have been very satisfied with my reliable 1998 4x4 Durango SLT 5.2L built in Oct 1997 on which I perform all of the normal maintainence.
Unusual tire wear and unbalanced type vibration started in last 5K miles and I also thought that a more frequent tire rotation would solve. However, I now have 4 equally feathered and worn Good Year tires. Front steering response also did not feel as tight as the last 2 1/2 years.
In Jan 2001, 3 months prior to the expiration of my standard 3yr/36K warranty, I performed a through inspection of my Durango after reviewing other complaints from Durango owners at the NHTSA web site. I found excessive vertical play in both of my front lower ball joints just like other people complained about and were told "Never seen that before" by dealers. Both of the front lower ball joints were repaired under warranty by replacement of the complete control arm assemblies (new arm includes ball joints and no boots) by the dealer. I also had to specifically ask (ask more than once/beg) for new ball joint seal boots to be used along with and on new ball joints. The new ball joints were then tested are were found somewhat sloppy to me, but are inside of the .060" mfg replacement specs. Vehicle now responds like new again and the feathering is now leveling out by normal wear. Vehicle front end alignment "Toe In" was also now set as close to 0 degrees as possible but still be within mfg spec range to assist in maximizing tire tread life.
I also had the lower window belt trim replaced under warranty on all 4 windows that were exhibiting bubbling/blistering from rust underneath the black rubber coating caused by defective end sealing on the parts (known 1998/1999 mfg/TSR defect).
My job gives me a constant opportunity to work with other SUV brands, and I am not at all excited about latest/expensive Ford or GM products. I have found that there is no perfect/flawless vehicle on the market and will step up to meet the service needs of my Durango to keep it. On the road, Off road 4 wheeling or towing a trailer, I really enjoy driving in it.
Today I fixed two problems. For two years I've smelled coolant from the engine bay and would have to add coolant every 3000 miles or so. Not a big deal, but curious, nonetheless. I could never track down the source. . . until today. While looking for something else (which I'll explain in a moment) I found the crusty evidence of a coolant leak around the thermostat housing. I replaced the gasket (and the thermostat while I was at it) and the smell magically disappeared. Cost of repair: $0.75.
The next problem solved is a "ticking" noise I heard coming from the engine bay. I was fearful that it was a leaky lifter because the sound varied with oil pressure and engine speed. My diagnosis was way off, though. Turns out the noise - which could be heard quite easily in the cab - was coming from the duty cycle solenoid that purges the fuel vapor canister. This is mounted on the firewall nearly in front of the driver. While the noise could be heard, I got out and pulled the harness from the solenoid and - voila - the sound went away. There is a TSB on this item which states that this noise is commonly misdiagnosed as valve-train/engine noise. It also is isolated to Durangos manufactured prior to 12/5/97 - which mine was.
Everything is running great now. The ball-joints are the only major repair in 3 years. Since I'm so close to warranty, and the ball joints were so loose, do I have a case with Chrysler to at least reimburse some cost of the repair given that the condition obviously existed prior to warranty expiration? Or, am I just going to have to eat this one?
Everything's fixed now, and I'm happy to have my car back. I love driving my Durango and wouldn't trade it for any other vehicle out there (except, maybe a Ferrari 328 - yeah, old-school). Later.
The oil gauge started dropping from 40 to 0 when the RPM's dropped below 900, but only after about 7 or 8 miles of driving.
Dealer detected sludge under the valve cover and says any repairs will not be covered by warranty. I have changed the oil about every 6,000 miles, using Pennzoil.
Dealer suggested changing the oil 4 times after 100 miles each, add "Miracle Mystery" oil each time. Have gone through a couple of cycles and am getting some very dark oil coming out, but not much "glopping".
One theory is the Durango "overheated" a month or so ago, getting up to about 250 degrees. Took it in to the dealer and they replaced the gasket on the engine water intake and the manifold gasket (sounds like that was a TSR). No mention of potential oil problem due to overheating or existence of sludge.
I am hoping that this "Miracle" treatment will work or that the sensor/gauge is bad. I can't imagine this engine is that tough on oil, but maybe I am wrong.
Anyone with a similar experience re: the oil gauge bouncing from 40 to 0 at low RPM? Any hope it is a sensor/gauge problem and not a sludge-related problem?
Dealer suggeste
As for sludge, this is a complex issue involving both design, use and environmental factors. there is no easy answer to this, and volumes of papers from the SAE about it.
I thing 6,000 mile oil changes are way too long, and would cut them in half. Oil is cheaper than engines.
You might also want to have your cooling system pressure tested to see if there is head gasket damage and/or water contamination in the oil from head gasket seepage.
Dodge Caravan. It went through 4 transmissions.
That is they were Dodge dealer replacements too.
I used Mobil 1 Synthetic and the engine started blowing oil. Even in Saturday's newspaper, they were reviewing a Intrepid and the article mentioned about Chryslers quality problems. I dumped my Dodge and chalked it up to an expensive lesson.
Sell it before your warranty is up because even Dodge service is more expensive (parts) and you will need more of it. Most everyone I know that has a Dodge has had tranny problems.
They say they've never seen this kind of problem before.....but I bet they say that to all the girls!!! Hahaha.
I bet the bolts that are rusting get hot from the exhaust. Flakes on the edge of brake rotors is normal and does not decrease the life of the rotor.
After 9 visits to the dealer (durango tied up for 18 days) within 8 months, their final statement was that the noise was normal for the vehicle. Nothing wrong. I am currently sueing DaimlerChrysler for the defective product.
At 40k miles, the trans started hanging up in 1st gear. If you held the gas pedal to the floor, it wouldn't shift out of 1st.
Last week, I went to a local trans shop and advised them of the shifting problem and had them listen to the driveline noise. They stated that the noise was not a normal condition. They now have the durango.
The severe clunk/bang going into reverse and the shifting problem was caused by a faulty valve body. Over the months of this situation, cause extreme wear on the trans and transfer case main chain.
The trans is currently out and apart waiting for approval from Warranty Gold to rebuild it, install a new valve body, and replace the transfer case chain.
Two weeks ago, I replaced the GoodYear Wragler tires with Cooper tires. 90 percent of the vibration has dissappeared.
I will let you know of the final outcome.
I never brought it back to the dealer once for any reason..but after reading all the posts i am getting a little uneasy about it..
I have about 34k on the truck.
The Magnusson-Moss Consumer Act covers "Breach of Warranty" situations that not only goes above and beyond many state lemon law statutes, it allows for increased compensation for the vehicle owner or the "buyback" that a lemon law provision allows.
I do consultation work for lemon law lawfirms and the lemon law case versus breach of warranty cases are split 50/50.
Don't think you're down and out because your rig has miles on it - besides, the Mag-Moss is FEDERAL, not state!
You might want to check the Throttle Position Sensor. It caused +/- 200 RPM surging on my Durango, I replaced it and everything is now fine.
Thanks for the input. The dealer still has my truck and I just called them and gave them this info. Was you truck sending code to the computer identifying this problem? Mine isn't.
I suggested to the dealer that the TPS was malfunctioning and they confirmed it. I am not sure how they did it. The "Check Engine" light was not on when I experienced my RPM surging.
You might want to check this out:
Link