2000 Dodge Durango. Consumer states pressure loss and engine failure the consumer stated the vehicle has poor ventilation through its air chamber causing engine oil sludge. The oil pressure circuit is on the same circuit as the ignition switch which makes it difficult to diagnose the real problem.

- Washington, DC, USA

I have owned my 2000 Durango since it was new, I have changed the oil regularly for the whole time, I have always done it myself. I recently brought the vehicle in for the "ticking" noise that I've been told since the vehicle was new, "there is no concern" when I changed the oil, it was always clean, no problems. Well, it seems the engine oil had not been traveling through the motor and apparently damaged internal parts to the tune of $2700, when I looked it up online, I learned this has happened to nearly every 4.7 V8 that Chrysler makes, my computer lit up with the exact same problems, everywhere. Why is it that Chrysler is not responsible for a motor defect that the consumer has no control over? all maintenance had been done on this one, and has been taken care of meticulously. I called Chrysler for assistance, but the response was that of deny, deny, deny and refer the customer to the original warranty, the end! I believe Chrysler should step up and be responsible for their incompetence! I for one would like my hard earned money back for this job, which took me 6 months to pay off to get my car back.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

My 2000 Dodge Durango keeps shutting down in the middle if traffic. Today my wife was almost ran over by a semi because of this. I have found numerous complaints from other Dodge consumers with the same problem. I am asking that someone please look into this. As soon as possible.

- Elyria, OH, USA

Was traveling on the highway all of a sudden start losing power started making a scorching and grinding sound. Made it to the side of the road car would not turn over. None of the warning lights came on. The car will turn over but U can not drive very far there's a knocking rattling noise maybe from motor. Police officer helped us get to safe place but no report was made.

- Lexington, KY, USA

Engine intermittently shuts off. Sometimes not everyday and sometimes 10 times. Shuts off at various speeds, idling and in drive at a stop light, or going 40 miles per hour. It sometimes restarts right away, and sometimes it cranks and cranks, and about the 15th try it may restart. It cut out 6 times in the parking lot of a mall. The only thing I can think of is that I was parked in the sun on a hot day at the mall, and the engine quit after running for only 30 seconds.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. He stated that while driving at 75 mph the vehicle stalled, the steering, lights and brakes were inoperable. He then pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. He waited and restarted the vehicle and it operated normally. After 2 hours the failure occurred again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed. The dealer stated that the PCM overheated which cause the vehicle to shut down.this had occurred 20 additional times. There have been no repairs made to the vehilce. The failure mileage was unknown and current mileage was 121972.

- Maiza, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Durango. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle began driving roughly and smoke appeared under the hood. The brakes stiffened when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact eased off the brakes, but they failed completely. More smoke appeared under the hood. The contact attempted to pull the vehicle over, but lost control. She heard two snapping noises under the hood. She applied the emergency brake, which stopped the vehicle. The passenger opened the hood and noticed flames in the engine. They called the fire department and a report was filed. The engine fire spread to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A few minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no injuries. Prior to the fire, repairs had been made to the engine because it would stall and overheat. The contact brought the vehicle in for service the day after the vehicle was purchased in November of 2008. The current and failure mileages were 124,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Driving along on the way to see my father in the hospital and the check gauge light came on and the oil pressure went to 0 and then back up and then back to 0, and then engine seized up. Now will have to replace the engine, Chrysler should pony up for all these vehicles when they know there is a problem. I will definitely be keeping receipts for this just in case.

- Monroeville, IN, USA

Engine made rattling noise. Engine failed, engine needs to be replaced due to engine sludge after proper oil changes.

- Zion, IL, USA

V8-287 4.7L Durango stalls without warning. Doesn't matter if I am on the freeway or in city traffic. Nothing specific that I can relate to the cause. Immediately lose power steering. Electrical seems to continue working. Car will start back up fine after 5 to 15 minutes of sitting. Happens in hot and cold weather, day or night. Can go for weeks without stalling and then stall several times in a few days. Yellow check engine light comes on, which the manual tells me is not an immediate issue. Extremely unsafe and I fear for my family's safety. Looked at Dodge Durango maintenance and repair forum on internet and found pages and pages of similar complaints. (townhall-talk.edmunds.com and www.topix.com/forum/autos/Dodge-Durango) through these websites it doesn't look like anyone can figure it out, including the dealerships, although the problem seems to be widespread.

- Cottonwood Heights, UT, USA

Without warning, well maintained 2000 Dodge Durango suffered sudden engine failure. 2 repair shops declare engine worthless and must be replaced. Learn hundreds of Durango owners experiencing same problems. Contact daimler Chrysler. Their response unsatisfactory. Currently contacting several consumer agencies, attorney general office & local senators. Problem currently pending resolution.

- Marlborough, MA, USA

Vehicle lost oil pressure due to sludge buildup. This could be a serious safety hazard. If the engine is not shut-off immediately it could irreparably damage the engine. It is a common problem with no help from the manufacturer.

- Spring, TX, USA

Internal engine failure at 74000 miles.

- Warminster, PA, USA

Loss of oil pressure due to sludge caused the engine to seize. Vehicle was well maintained, which luckily I have all the documentation. Trusted mechanic stated that this is not the first time he has heard of this problem and that this is a common problem with this type of engine, as there is a design flaw which does not allow oil to flow properly to all parts of engine. He stated that it would be better to put in a new engine as the repair to the existing engine would be extensive. I called Dodge and they will not do anything about the problem.

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Durango. I change my oil every 3,000 miles. Today my mechanic and I found a heavy amount of sludge under oil cap and all around filler neck. This indicates that there is a huge build up of sludge in the engine. This will ultimately lead to engine failure very soon. Internet searches reveal this is a very common problem and Chrysler has done nothing about it. My Durango has 56,000 miles on it and I am afraid to drive it.

- Flushing, NY, USA

Engine lock up. In June of this year my vehicle was having a loss of oil pressure. The dealer replaced the sensor switch and then flushed the engine two times. Two days ago the oil pressure gauge dropped again and the vehicle stopped while I was driving @ about 55 miles per hour.

- Washington, DC, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Durango 2wd with 63000 miles on it. The engine is having to be replaced. I was told it is because of not having oil changed, but I have receipts that show the oil was changed regularly. This is very costly and I have heard that other people have had the same problem. The service technician described the engine has being full of sludge.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

Began getting hot during summer with A/C on: Complet radiator flush and fill at Dodge dealer, water pump failure, replaced, same problems, now high pressure hose blown, not circulating coolant.

- Elberon, VA, USA

After starting the vehicle, the consumer noticed the oil pressure gauge did not register. The vehicle had no oil pressure. The consumer turned the vehicle off and checked the oil and there was sludge build up. The consumer was concerned the engine will become defective even though the maintenance was continuous on the vehicle.

- Mandan, ND, USA

My 2000 Durango slt was being driven by my son when the check gauges light came on. It was towed to a garage since they told us not to drive it. They proceeded to change the oil first, since the oil pressure gauge was jumping up and down. They then started the Durango and revved the engine for a while. We then had it towed to our house since my husband is a mechanic. He was going to look at it and when he did he discovered that one of the rods were bent so this means the engine needs replaced. Oil changes on my Durango were done as scheduled by my husband, in fact he had checked the oil 2 days prior to the incident and went and bought a new oil filter and a new case of oil to change the oil. My son called dahmler-Chrysler and they told him that there had never been any complaints made to them about the engine and that there was no recalls done on the vehicle. These checks were even done with us giving them the VIN of the vehicle. We are now looking at having to spend $2000 for an engine and that is one with 60,000 miles on it and being rebuilt. Seeing the other complaints on the websites that I have been to, Dodge has to be at fault for a defect on the engine or oil pump which would cause the oil to gum up just sitting there and not being pumped through the engine to keep crucial parts lubricated to function properly. To be honest it makes me worried about going out and paying the money for another engine seeing that maybe next month it would end up tearing up again. I feel that Dodge should do something about the problems with this engine in this particular vehicle before someone gets killed due to engine failure and the family of that person finds this information and dahmler-Chrysler is involved in a class action lawsuit and that could be even more devistating the company than a recall on the engines that don't work correctly to begin with.

- Gassaway, WV, USA