Vehicle burned excessive oil prior to engine seize and we were told this was normal because of the volume of miles traveled on the vehicle. This was after a routine oil change at kenwood Dodge. As usual we inquired as to any factory recalls. On our way to New Hampshire to attend the funeral for a relative, my husband checked the oil as usual and it appeared to be fine. No oil was added at this time. After entering New Hampshire in the town of pembrooke, the check gauges lite illuminated and then the oil pressure gauge dropped to 0. we immediately pulled into a local autozone car care store and my husband then checked the oil. The dipstick showed approximately 1.5 quarts low and so after setting for a short while of about 35 minutes and replenishing the oil, we proceeded on the rest of the journey. After traveling approximately 20 or so miles on the winding back roads my husband noticed an erratic, loud knocking sound coming from the engine. He then pulled the Durango to the side of the road whereby the knocking was so loud your could not hear eachother talk. He then noticed the oil pressure dropped again to 0 and immediately shut down the engine. It banged loudly at this point as smoke spewed from the right front side of the truck. We had the Durango towed to Bonneville and sons Dodge in manchester nh and the concurred the engine had seized. They had stated that the oil as well as the radiator fluid had leaked out and this was untrue as we had several people inspect the truck prior to their diagnosis and saw no external views of any fluid leakage. The radiator was full and the dipstick was seized in the engine block. The dealer as well as Dodge said this was due to lack of oil changes. The oil was changed every 5-7 thousand miles regularly and was only three thousand miles past due from it's last change. I can't in my wildest dreams immagine this is the result of oil that was in the block at the time. We did find out however that this is common.

- Middletown, OH, USA

We were driving on the highway whe N the engine oil pressure dropped to zero and the engine starting knocking and seized. We have kept the oil changed along the recommended lines of the manufacturing.

- Claremore, OK, USA

Engine sludged. Motor destroyed-oil was changed regularly-coolant leaking into oil system. Leak at intake manifold area.

- Southfield, MI, USA

17 year old daughter driving vehicle on a major freeway at 1:00 am. All lights come on, oil gauage drops to zero and after loud bang engine fails. Towed to dealer and dealer claims lack of maintenance caused oil pump failure and death of engine. Refuse to honor extended warranty unless we prove oil changes every 3000 miles even though manual suggests every 7500 miles. Local garage did not keep receipts and we did not keep receipts never anticipating this problem. Now know from inquiries over the internet that this is a nationwide peoblem with 318 engines. Although we know Chrysler has negotiated with others who had no receipts, we did have some, they are refusing to negotiate with us in Texas. Please help. There are enough complaints to warrant an investigation on these engine failures. Consumers are being ripped off daily. Especially after Chrysler was caught red-handed in lemon law failures in North Carolina. Please, please help.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Engine- loud noise, oil gauge goes to zero then engine stalls occurs 30-55mph. A/C does not cool unless on high

- Manassas, VA, USA

Engine keeps shutting off while driving.....happened at least 6 times recently and dealer cannot find cause. Have notified Dodge and they haven't done anything yet......very dangerous condition because no steering when this occurs....someone please help.....very frustrated at this point....truck has been to dealer numerous times for same problem and computer shows nothing"?????"

- East Setauket, NY, USA

Consumer was traveling 50mph and oil pressure gauge went out. Vehicle stopped accelerating, pulled to side of road. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Oil pump had to be replaced, costing $1400. Dealer was never available to talk to consumer to explain why this happened so soon. Mechanic is suggesting that engine be replaced, so problem won't happened again.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

While driving on highway vehicle loses acceleration, no power loss, just that vehcile does not accelerate. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything.

- Setauket, NY, USA

The Dodge Durango was purchased in Oct'1999. Heading East on I-20 when we heard a clicking sound from the front end of SUV. The clicking got louder. As we tried to accelerate to exit the S.C. highway, the clicking turned into a rattle and the SUV began to stall and eventually quit. We had three children on board (19 months, 30 months, & 7 yrs). After waiting approx 3 hrs for family to arrive from ga, we had the SUV towed to augusta Dodge. Their initial findings were that jiffy lube didn't replace the oil after the oil change we'd received just before getting on the hwy. Dodge then said we had a hole in our engine. Neither proved to be true. Nationwide insurance concluded that the problem was mechanical. Dodge admitted that they have 40 1999 V-8 engines backlogged in atlanta alone. We've discovered via mechanics that Dodge's V-6 & V-8 engines are gumming up, resulting in a need for valve jobs, etc. This confirmed jiffy lube's observation that the oil seemed to be gumming up. Suggesting a problem w/ oil pump.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Vehicle experiencing problem with cold start. Dealer unable to correct problem, and vehicle experiencing problem with sudden acceleration while driving at 55 mph. Cruise control was not engaged dealer notified, and informed consumer that they could not duplicate problem. Please feel free to provide further detailson this matter.

- West Jefferson Nc, NC, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Hingham, MA, USA

Consumer has a problem with vehicle stalling without prior warning. Vehicle started jerking and it stopped in the middle of the road. Consumer notified dealership, and mechanic told him that they couldn't duplicate the problem. The dealer replaced power train control module, time and alarm module.

- Arlington, TX, USA

Vehicle will stall intermittently without warning and at any speeds. Dealer had vehicle 4 times, but defect still occurs. Dealer cannot determine cause.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

My car started making these loud noises like a truck, I took it to the dealer and they told me that it was the barons, and that it was caused by not putting oil in the car or racing it. They told me that it was not under warranty and that it will cost $4000 to have it fixed. I have my oil change every 3 months, and I go to baltimore, md and Washington DC about twice a week. They will not fix it.

- Frederick, MD, USA

When coming down an off-ramp to a stop, the oil pressure drops to 0.

- Webster, MA, USA

When driving between 40-55 mph vehicle will cut off and stall intermittently, causing loss of power brakes and steering, consumer must coast to a stop. Dealer has replaced computer system, but defect still occurs.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

Intermittently while driving vehicle stalls unexpectedly. Also, loss of power steering which may cause a crash. About 5 minutes later, vehicle will start up again. Dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Engine locked up-manufacturer says due to improper maintenance ie.no oil & filter changes regularly..has been driven apprx 60 miles per day to college...miles put on it are highway miles..have reciepts of all oil & filter changes..apprx every 5000 miles..federal maint sch and Chrysler shows for that type of driving every 7500...Chrysler will not fix denied warranty for improper maint even though they were shown reciepts...they more or less called us liers...dealership was sure Chrysler would okay warranty repair...sludge buildup was in filter oil was black...A2 mechanics have told me if something caused motor to get hot it would burn the oil make it black and when it cooled down look like sludge....we cannot afford to repair this ourselves..we paid enough for vehicle and were assured of a good warranty...daughter drives this auto to school so I am sure to make sure everything is okay and keep the oil changed in it..we have a Dodge avenger and had 2 dakotas with no problems..so we do kanow how to tke care of our autos...we have a 93 Blazer with 114,000 miles on it we must be doing something right....please help us....

- Jesup, GA, USA

The problem im having is that the engine shuts off at any speed. It started back in Oct 1999 and I've taken it in 4 times to two different dealerships and the problem still accurring. This last time the dealer had it they replaced the module, and that still has'nt resolved the problem. I feel very unsafe driving the vehicale due to this problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

This was the approximately 7th time this vechical stalled, this time resulting in an accident (power steering and brakes don't work without engine running). Daimlercrysler says there is nothing wrong with the vechicle this has forced us to contact a lawyer to presue the matter.

- Ashland, MA, USA