9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,880
Average Mileage:
96,400 miles
Total Complaints:
46 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. engine replacement (18 reports)
  2. not sure (18 reports)
  3. engine flush with diesel fuel /add marvel mystery oil (2 reports)
  4. had to trade it in for a loss (2 reports)
  5. cleaned and replaced parts (1 reports)
  6. drive it through the window of the dealership (1 reports)
2000 Dodge Durango engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Dodge Durango Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #46

Mar 292012

Durango SLT 5.2L 318 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Anyone want to buy a boat anchor, cheap!!! What the %&ll is going on with Dodge Durango's engine sludge problem.It seems like no matter how much you change the oil , it never stay's clean.One day after changing ,i check the oil and its black as if it was never changed. And the oil pressure would sometimes drop to 10 lbs. when driving uphill. Now that the engine is blown, its just a cheap boat anchor ,because I don't have the $5000 dollars its going to cost for a replacement. WHATS DODGE GOING TO DO, continue selling time bombs.

- cruedbucket, Tracy, CA, US

problem #45

Jun 172012

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,000 miles

I have a 2000 Dodge Durango that I have taken excellent care of. In early June as I turned the corner to enter my driveway my oil pressure went to zero. I had a mechanic friend from Dodge come by and he knew what it was right away. Engine oil sludge build up. He then told me this is a serious issue with 1999-2003 Dodge engines and to try to just change out the oil again, (this I do religiously anyway) and add in an enhancer. I did this to no avail. This is a problem according to this mechanic friend that Dodge has known about for some time now and tells their dealerships to tell it's customers that it is "because of their fault it occurred." This issue needs to be addressed by Dodge and it's customers made whole in the form of repairs.

- Glen H., Florence, KY, US

problem #44

Dec 162008

Durango 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

My durango has the same problem with the oil pump and sludge build up in the motor and i put a oil pump in it but it is shot now . This should be a recll because the motors are junk and it cost more to fix it than is worth . They should have to buy the vehicles back from us .

- mooreky, Mount Vernon, KY, US

problem #43

Sep 282005

Durango 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was bringing this piece back home from a body shop when it first experienced 0 oil pressure. I pulled over and had it towed to a Dodge dealer. I was told it was engine sludge due to not changing the oil. Sorry oil was changed every 3000 miles. I spent 2700.00 on this fix. at 96000 miles. Then at 130000 miles it happened again. I sold it and wont buy another. In the time I owned this piece I replaced crank sensor, front bearing hub, abs sensor, engine fan clutch, many sets of rotors, lock actuators, and the list goes on. One of the most expensive rig I have ever owned..

- A B., Oregon City, OR, US

problem #42

Feb 172010

Durango 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,900 miles

will never buy another dodge crap box ever again i know dodge is fully aware of this prob with all the posts i find on line and all i have talked to who own the same type crapper they all have the same prob among other issues this should be recalled as this is unsafe and not a good way to sell cars especially when this gets out that the dodge Durango is a money pit junk box i would not send my worst enemy to buy one of these crap mobiles so sorry i ever bought a damn dodge and will never ever buy another i would rather take the bus or walk than buy another one of these heaps of junk....no wounder all the American cars are going under and need help stop selling crap and you would probably sell more cars especially if you know there is an issue with the model fix it take care of the ones who pay your damn paycheck when we buy these death traps.

- William P., Orlando, FL, US

problem #41

Jun 262010

Durango 4x4 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167,000 miles

Oil sludge buildup in the 4.7 liter had made me lose oil pressure, dropping it to zero. I was able to quickly flush the engine with diesel fuel. The oil pan was clear of sludge but there was sludge buildup in the upper components. The pickup tube was clogged preventing proper oil pressure. I am now adding Marvel Mystery Oil (1qt to every 4qt of oil.) I switched to a synthetic oil which I probably should have been using anyway.

- Jennings I., 2644 Queensway Dr, OH, US

problem #40

Jun 132007

Durango 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

i was upset , that dodge dealers are not trying to find a real solution they would like to put you into another jalopy

i love my Durango and i hate ,,oops,,,,dislike sales people who try to scam

- Parvel L., Pooler, GA, US

problem #39

Sep 012008

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 178,000 miles

LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THE OIL SLUDGE BLEW THE ENGINE NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT, BUT DO I WANT TO DO THAT SINCE IT WILL BE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN? DURANGO BODY/INSIDE IN GREAT SHAPE BUT 4.7 MOTOR WILL STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP, THE COMPANY NEED TO STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE ENGINES. I BOUGHT MINE NEW IN 2000 I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN.

- lmmay98, Brookville, OH, US

problem #38

Sep 202006

Durango 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Biggest piece of crap ever! If the automakers didn't make such crap they wouldn't need bailouts. The american people are stupid for letting this crap happen.

- slash09, Angleton, TX, US

problem #37

May 172009

Durango SLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

Don't Buy used Durango by sdmike22 Jul 16 '08 Author's Product Rating: Product Rating: 5.0 Recommended: Yes Pros: OK Body, great transmission, excellent 4wd system (low range, full time and part time) Cons: ball joints, engine sludge problem

The only way to know if the engine is OK is to pull the pan. ALL 360ci versions have a severe sludge problem caused by the location of the oil filter.

While I have over 165,000 miles on mine I do NOT drive it in urban conditions. Stop & go and urban driving causes the filter (located VERY CLOSE to the right exhaust header) to coke, fail, and block the oil bypass valve. The result is a rapid build up of particulates, sludge, and complete lack of oil filtration. This also causes low or no oil pressure.

The ONLY solution to this problem is to remote mount the oil filter. Synthetic oil helps. Dealers and Dodge will not admit they have a design flaw.

Only buy this vehicle if you are planning on replacing the engine AND remote mounting the filter.

- Michael L., Melbourne, FL, US

problem #36

Dec 102008

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My oil pressure in my Durango drops to zero. When the car is cold, the oil pressure gauge shows about "70". After 5 minutes, the pressure drops to about "30". When idling at a traffic light, the oil pressure will drop to zero. It immediately comes up if I step on the brake while increasing RPMs. This problem has not happened while driving, only when it is warmed up, and then only at idle. This sucks! Chrysler needs to step up to the plate.

- gmhjsm, Royal Oak, MI, US

problem #35

Feb 142009

Durango 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,213 miles

Haven't had the engine checked yet, don't want to hear the price! Checked internet when "check gauge" light came on but didn't see the drop to 0 oil pressure. 4 days later, two days ago, it dropped. We have not driven it since. Will try the oil flush and changing oil pump to remove sludge.

- Angelina L., San Juan, CA, US

problem #34

Dec 172008

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,000 miles

We bought this car 2 months ago. Although not happy about the 10 mpg, it was a lot of fun to drive down the road. Check gauges light turned on and off, engine oil pressure gauge went to zero! Missed 2 days of work so far while Durango sits on the lift at trusted mechanics shop. We were going to have it scoured, the oil pump replaced, etc., instead of Cmas this year.

After reading the other posts, I have severe hesitations, will call mechanic on Monday Morning! Only our second Dodge, certainly our last Dodge purchase!

- D B., South Jordan, UT, US

problem #33

Dec 112008

Durango 5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,600 miles

I didn't even realize this was an issue until i started looking for engines online and came across multiple hits about this "Oil sludge" issue. Are you F'n kidding me?!?! 85000 miles and now i have to replace an entire engine. what a rip-off!!! No wonder the American car industry is in the crapper. If stuff likr this is happening regularly, why would anyone want to buy another car from Dodge, or GM for that matter. Merry Friggin; Christmas!!!!

- johnmich2, New Whiteland, IN, US

problem #32

Nov 232007

Durango SLT 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

This is clearly an design and engineering issue. This should be a recall. I have spoken to 4 other people and it has happened to one. One out of four! a random sample. If I could find one, I am sure the numbers are much higher than what's being reported.

- lyric, Virginia Beach, VA, US

problem #31

Mar 012008

Durango SLT 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

how many people have to complain about the same thing in order for them to recall this engine ????!!!! this is nutz!

I'm just wondering if it is worth getting the timing chain fixed...has anyone tried that?

- sludgy2, Hyde Park, MA, US

problem #30

Apr 022008

Durango 5.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I was driving along at 45 mph when the steering wheel began to vibrate badly. At the light, it would hardly keep running& had a bad rap-rap-rap sound. I thought it might have skipped time, but this engine has a chain, so here I am waiting on a rebuilt engine to the tune of $4200 with the same song as the others in the forum. I am so done with Dodge! Its really too bad because they have some great style...but not substance. i will drive it long enough to get a little of my money back and then leave the Chrysler family.

- Kevin S., Keller, TX, US

problem #29

Mar 272008

Durango Sport 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

I have had this truck for almost four years and it has been pretty good so far it has had a couple issues that we were able to fix and one of the sensors went out about two years ago but now there is a tapping when you first start it and sludge in the oil cap i haven't checked into it yet but from the sound of every one else it doesn't sound good

- Sarah K., Eugene, OR, US

problem #28

Mar 172008

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,500 miles

October 2007 I experienced a problem with the oil pressure dropping and a ticking sound so I immediately parked the car until I could get it looked at. In January 2008 I had it looked at and they told me that I needed an oil pump, screen, oil pan gasket and timing chain tensioner and a secondary timing chair arm. Well after spending 1500.00 the oil pressure is still dropping and the ticking is much worse. I was told that the motor was so sludged up that even after cleaning it and changing the oil twice back to back it still won't let the oil flow through the motor like it should. I was told that I need a new engine and I don't have the money for that so I guess me and my 3 children will be car less because Chrysler won't recall this motor and I can't afford to pay 500.00 per month for the next 3 yrs and have another car payment.

- Amanda C., Columbus, OH, US

problem #27

Jan 082008

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

Granted 130000+ miles is a bit high. But, I've regularly run autos and truck to near 200,000 miles, with regular maintenance. This Durango has been very well maintained with regular oil changes at 3000-3500 miles and all recommended mfr maintenance. On 1-8-08 the oil pressure dropped to Zero while driving. It recovered, but then started an irregular up/down. We got it home, and immediately called our service garage. They towed it into the shop, and determined that the oil pump had failed, due to wear that resulted from sludge accumulation. In researching the issue, it seems that Dodge is aware of the issue, and is engaged in legal issues with other engines of like design (the 2.7L particularly). Accordingly, I called Chrysler/Dodge and was politely told to pound sand; that the warranty ran out at 36000 miles, and they weren't responsible.

I beg to differ. This is an engineering fault; the oil ports and chases are too small to move sufficient oil, allowing the oil to cook off into sludge which accumulates in the already too small oil ports and chases. This starves the hydraulic timing chain tensioners and allows the oil pump shafts to wear their races. And, this cannot be remedied by any means other than replacing the motor.

Dodge will never have to worry about selling me another vehicle. Time to call the lawyers.

- rlc2120, Frankfort, OH, US

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