engine problem
9.7
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$4,481.00
Average Mileage:
71,087 miles
Number of complaints:
13 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace engine (9 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
- taking to court, dealer said my fault - B F'in S! (2 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2002 Dodge Durango oil sludge resulting in engine failure
2007Oct 22
Durango SLT 4.7L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 55,136 miles
We bought this used 2002 Dodge Durango in August 2007 and in October 2007 I was driving and the oil pressure dropped to 0 and the check gauges light came on. We got it towed back to the dealer where we purchased it and were told that it needed a new engine. Thank god we bought the extended warranty and the engine was covered. I think it is really ridiculous for the engine to go out on a vehicle that has only 56,000 miles and is only about 5 years old. I really like this vehicle though and if this engine goes out I am replacing it with a jasper engine because the dodge engines are just going to keep going out. What a rip off!
2008Apr 04
Durango
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
I was driving along when the "check gages" light came on and when I did, the oil pressure had dropped to 0. My husband had just checked the oil a few days earlier but I checked it again anyway. The oil level was fine, I started it back up and the gages were reading fine again. I drove about a block and a half when the "check gages" light came back on and I saw the oil pressure drop to 0 and a horrible loud clang, clang, clang....I knew that was bad and had the mechanic look at it and he spent all day running tests on it and recommended that we check for blogs on the internet for anyone else who might have the same problem...and what do you know? There could be hundreds! What can be done? From what I have read so far, Dodge knew this has been going on and hasn't taken any responsibility for it. I don't have any way to get to work or school or get my kids to school....and we just paid this thing off 3 months ago...how convenient.
2007Dec 17
Durango Slt Plus 4.7L V8
- Manual transmission
- 14,000 miles
after sitting for almost a year in front of my house i had an extra bonus for Christmas anws i spent it on trying to fix my car they replaced lifters, did an oil change they told me my fan was so loud because it was a faulty fan and it is dangerous to drive it in the condition then i told them it was new and their story changed to it being an aftermarket fan and that is why it was so loud. so they replaced that they replaced the sending unit and a couple other small things. i picked up the car and it was not fixed. they told me i needed an new engine. i tried to take it back and they sied they cant find problem just to buy a new engine.
2007Jul 26
(reported on)Durango SLT 4.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 127,000 miles
I had taken, my 2002 Dodge Durango to two Dodge shops to see why my oil pressure dropped to zero. I purchased my truck brand new in 2002 and never knew Dodge had all this oil pressure issues with their engine. Both the Dodge shops could not tell why I was having this problem. I paid one Dodge shop $137.00 to check and the other $105.00 plus $265.00 for a rental car while Dodge was checking my Durango for two weeks. In the end Dodge said I should have my engine broke down. Dodge also recommend I get my engine replaced. My father-in-law has 1996 Ford Ranger with over 300,000 on the original motor and runs better then my Durango. This is my first time buying an American car as well as a Dodge. I will never buy a Dodge automobile again. Dodge needs to own up to their engine problems. After reading several blogs etc, this problem is not a myth.
2007Apr 19
(reported on)Durango ES 5.2
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
NOW I HAVE MY DURANGO SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNABLE TO DRIVE IT BUT STILL HAVE TO PAY PAYMENTS ON IT . HAD TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO WORK I TOOK CARE OF MY TRUCK I ONLY HAD IT FOR A YEAR IT DID'NT SHOW ANY PROBLEMS WHEN IT STOPPED DIED ON THE ROAD . I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED UP. THEN STARTED MAKING ALITTLE NOISE SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE THEN TOLD ME THE OIL WAS LIKE MUD OR SLUGG AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER MOTOR PUT IN
2006Jul 21
(reported on)Durango
- 68,000 miles
Do not purchase a 2002 Durango. There is a serious problem with sludge build up, causing engine failure. I had my timeing changed and the same day that I picked my car up from Pre-Bul my engine blew up and I was told becuase of lack of oil changes, put the mechanic had told my husband that he had saw this problem in many durangos, but still no one wants any parts of responsibility. I paid 1361.00 for a timing change and did not drive my car 5 miles before it started shaking. becuase it had no oil pressur. The dealer ship did not take any responsibility and now I have no car. And may I say I had just paid my car off!
2007Feb 27
(reported on)Durango SLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
truck had engine replaced 1 time before but every time the engine light came on the dodge dealer would say it wasn't the engine it was something else. This last time 12/25/06 no warning lights came on and we were told that the engine problem was caused by neglect and we needed to send in all the maintenance work done on the vehicle. When we did that the records showed that the car was being checked for engine problems from the start. After seeing the maintenance records we were then told that a rod was broken and there was sludge in the engine and no oil was in the engine. When I told them that it was oil in the truck because I checked it before I got it towed to them. I asked the mechanic to send me the information in writing and was told that I had to call chrysler to get the report. Needless to say chrysler did not send me anything until 2/27/07 and that was only because I send the letter certified mail. The first time they act like it got lost in the mail so that's why I sent it certified. The letter said. " This letter is to acknowledge receipt of you recent correspondence regarding a request for a copy of the denial of coverage. Inspection reports are proprietary information and the sole property of DaimlerChrysler Corporation. DaimlerChrysler does not allow information of that nature to be shared with consumers. DaimlerChrysler utilized the services of an independent Mechanical Breakdown inspection company to view your vehicle in its failed state, and provide us with a report and photographs t document the diagnosis. The report clearly documents that the failure of your engine was due to a build up of sludge, which caused oil starvation within the engine. Sludge, is a direct result of the failure to perform adequate service work on the vehicle and is not coverd under the terms of the contract. Anyone reading this should take the time to go to consumer complaint web site and see more complaints and problems with the sludge engines that are put into durangos during certain years. The engines are too small to accommodate the truck and they knew it.I'm taking to court, dealer said my fault - B F'in S!
2006Nov 06
(reported on)Durango SLT 4.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
Driving on freeway, I got a "Check Gauges" light, saw that the oil pressure went to zero and within 5-10 seconds my engine seized up. Dealer said needed to teardown engine and would cost $500 diagnostic fee. I said sure since I change my oil all the time and know this is typical of an oil pump failure (I am a mechanic). The dealer said sorry, not cover as was my neglect as I had sludge in pan - - - WHAT the F
I saw that all they did for $500 was pull the oil pan. The pan is normal and there is no way in heck I am paying $500 to pull a pan (for $500 my motor should be strapped to a pallet). So I went to the county courthouse, bonded out my Durango and after 60 days went to the courthouse and reclaimed my $500 bond.
I will now follow up in court for the replacement engine - this is a load of crap, I have owned 2 Durangos and 2 Dodge Rams - never again will I buy a Dodge unless someone at Dodge pony's up and honors their 70k mile powertrain warranty.
2006Sep 19
(reported on)Durango LX
- 74,000 miles
After getting the oil changed every 3,000 miles, one day the engine started pinking. A check of the oil dip sticked showed the oil was black and needed to be changed. The oil preasure gauge showed zero oil pressure after the oil was changed. Checking the dip stick again, one could see the oil was crystal clear and assume there should not be a problem.
I called Irondequiot Dodge (now called Irondequoit Suzuki) here in Rochester NY where I bought the vehicle and they said the waranty had expired.
This same dealership (Irondequoit Dodge), I had taken the Dodge Durango in to a few months prior to have the AC recharged. Three days after they charged me $85 for the recharge, the AC was once again not working. I took the Durango back for them to find out that the condensor was leaking. When I said, after you filled the compressor and charged me $85.00, wouldn't your service man see that it was leaking when it was under preasure? The reply was that it will be $700.00 for the new AC compressor and another $85.00 for re-charging. Needless to say, I did not have them do the work.
Now I have a 2002 $35,000 vehicle which was bought in late 2002 after the 2003s were out with a blown engine. Estimates so far are $3,000 plus labor for a new engine. The 2002 Durango bought and fully paid for now sits in a local garage awaiting a new engine.
Ironically, the mechanic who now has this vehicle tells me that oil pumps failing on this engine are common. Funny the salesman never mentioned that at Irondequoit Dodge (now Irondequoit Suzuki) never mentioned that. Nor did he mention my 2002 vehicle which I paid more that $35K for would only have a bluebook value of $17K in 2006.
So if you happen to drive through Rochester, New York and think about buying a car at Irondequoit Dodge (now called Irondequoit Suzuki), don't walk away, run.
2006Mar 29
(reported on)Durango
- 73,000 miles
Oil sludge because I did not change my oil??? Are you kidding me? I financed a $23000 freakin car and I am not going to pay $35.00 every 3 months for an oil change. Did I keep my receipts?? Who does? If I knew I was purchasing a defective product I would have kept every one of them!! Bob, from the extended warranty division asked me "What red blooded american does not keep their oil change receipts?". Maybe he knew something I did not. I have no other car, it has been out since 12/22/05 and luckly I work very close to where I live so my friends alternate giving me a ride. I am so depressed!!!
2005Dec 13
(reported on)Durango
- 79,000 miles
Engine needs to be replaced due to "oil sludge". Upon researching this on the internet, seems like this has been and is an ongoing problem with these engines. Consumers have not been alerted to this problem. The company still sells these cars. Don't know what we are going to do at this point and time, but no satisfaction from corporate. Buy American?? And Corporate blames anything and everyone else for the problem, when in fact it is the engineering of said engine which is causing the problem of oil sludge. All's I can say is buyer beware!!!!, and we will never buy another product from this company again.
2005Jul 18
(reported on)Durango SLT
- 82,000 miles
Dodge won't admit that there is an issue with the Durango, but a search on-line revealed a significant issue with this engine heating up and "cooking" the oil into a "sludge".
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Apr 20
Durango Eva - 4.7L V8 Mpi
Purchased a 2002 Dodge Durango new. Drove the vehicle 50 miles one day and didn't drive for another 2 weeks. No lights came on during this trip. Went to start it up one morning and the Engine froze without any warning. No lights ever came on. After talking to a dodge dealership, was told to have it towed to them, and that it would be covered by the warranty. After having it towed to the dealership, was told they needed to run diagnostics on the problem, and that it would cost $ 100.to do so. However, was led to believe the problem would be covered, as well as the $ 100 diagnostics by the warranty. Received a call from the the dealership that sludge was found in the oil pan, and that they would need approval from the warranty group. Warranty group instructed dealership they would have to break down the engine to be inspected by a a "contracted" mechanic. Per the warranty group/mechanic, "the failure was due to a build up of sludge, which caused a starvation within the engine. Sludge is the direct result of the failure to perform adequate service work and not covered".
I think it is obvious that Dodge has a serious problem here and is not taking responsibility. We're on our way to small claims court this month.If anyone has successfully won a case against dodge concerning this sludge issue, or have gotten a dealership/warranty company to fix your problem please contact me.
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Randall O.
Fairfield, CA, USA
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