Loss of oil pressure in a 2000 Dodge Durango 4.7 liter engine.

- Jamestown, OH, USA

Engine has been stalling from stopped position. On this date, I tried to pull out into traffic, but motor stalled. Almost caused a collision. I had my two children in the vehicle. So far, I have removed and cleaned throttle body. Installed new spark plugs (correct gap). Removed and cleaned PCV valve. Air filter is a K&N and is clean and oiled. Distributor, rotor, cap and plug wires all only have 20K miles on them. Check engine light has never come on. Computer is not showing any codes.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

The oil pressure failed while driving on the freeway. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and had the oil pump replaced three times. Both heads have been replaced. The sludge has been cleaned out, and the engine still had no oil pressure. No leaks have been noticed. The vehicle can be driven for about 3 miles, and then the oil pressure will drop.

- Richardson, TX, USA

My 2000 Dodge Durango's engine just seized up. The engine is not repairable and needs to be replaced at a cost of $4800. I have just over 110,000 miles. In the summer my timing chain went and now in Feb my engine seized up while driving. There were no warning signs or oil lights. Oil was changed as recommended by the owners manual. I have seen a lot of complaints on this issue and I hope Dodge will stand behind this!

- Freeland, MI, USA

While driving, the check engine light flashed on a loud ticking noise was coming from the front. The driver was able to pull over then the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart, but was unable to do so. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the engine needed replacement due to sludge build up. Please provide additional information.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

2000 Dodge Durango, has sludge build up in engine. I have changed oil regularly ( 3000-5000) miles. I have had the oil pump replaced and now am having problems with oil pressure light. I have done research and have found that many owners of the Durango's have had engine problems. One web site, www.consumeraffairs.com, has many of these complaints listed. I would like for Dodge to take care of the problems.

- Aubrey, TX, USA

Whjile parked antifreeze spot started showing up under the Dodge Durango 2000. Repair shop found 8 freeze plugs leaking on a vehicle with only 61,250 miles on it.

- Austin, TX, USA

My 2000 Durango, with 60,100 miles on it, had a scent of anti-freeze, so I took it in to the dealer. I was informed that the freeze plugs on one side of the engine were leaking. The parts were removed/replaced, and the old parts had corroded through. I was told I had better change the balance, because "they could go at any time". when I asked how it was possible that these items could fail in such a (relatively) short period of time, the answer was "sometimes that happens". I have worked on vehicles, and rebuilt engines, for over 20 years and this is the first time I have seen an engine with so few miles have this problem. I have 2 of the 3 removed parts (I was told the third "crumbled when removed"), and plan on pursuing Dodge for a better explanation.

- Denton, TX, USA

I was drving on the highway with my wife, 2 children, a friend of the family, and my family dog, when the oil gauge needle dropped to zero, and the warning sound began to go off. According to the gages, I was loosing oil pressure. After a second, the gauges would return to normal. It was intermitent. After 2 minutes of this, I decided to pull of the road and check the oil level, it was full... I turned the car back on, the warning signal was gone, and the needle indicated that I had oil pressure. I went another 4 miles down the highway when I entered a single lane construction zone. This time the needle went to zero, indicating no oil pressure. I had no choice but to turn on my hazard lights, and drive 2 more miles @35mph to the next exit. Once on the ramp, the car made a ticking noise, and eventually stalled. Due to the lose of power stearing, it was difficult to stear. It was even more difficult to stop the car (lose of braking) my Dodge Durango had to be towed away. Now I am told that it will cost me in excess of $4,000 to fix it. I was told by several mechanics that Dodge had to design this engine with extremely tigh tolerances in order to meet the hp requirements. In doing so, it souonds like they neglected to perform the proper analysis required to determing the affect on proper oil circualtion. I changed my oil every 3-4,000 mi. How could this happen? after searching the internet, I found out that this was a common occurance amongst Durango owners. I read one complaint after another. I some cases, Chrysler would not cover the failure even if the owner had an extended warranty. My dealership won't recognize that their is a historical problem. They lost my business. Even though my car is out of warranty, one would expect it to last 90,000 mi. Without a catastrophic failure of this magnitude. This poblem should be recognized by Chrysler....these motors should be recalled....sounds like a class action suite is in order.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

2000 Dodge durang: I was driving on the highway with my wife, 2 children, a friend of one of my chilren, and my family dog, when the oil gauge needle started to bounce back and forth. It indicated that I was loosing presure and then return to normal. After 2 minutes of this, I pulled off the road and checked the oil level. It was full....... I turned the car back on, and the problem went away. I went further down the highway and entered a single lane construction zone when it started to do the same thing. This time it finally went to zero. Having no where to go for 2 more miles, I had no choice but to drive to the next exit. I put on my hazrd lights, and drove 35mph while coasting as often as I could. Once I got off the exit, the car starting to make a ticking sound (lifters) and eventually stoped running. My Dodge Durango had only 44,000 mi. On it. The oil was changed every 3-4,000 mi. The car had to be towed away. Now I am told I need a completely rebuilt engine. It will cost me $4,000+ to repair it. After searching the internet, I found this problem to be to common. I cannot get my dealership to acknowledge such an occurance. Even though my car is out of warranty, I feel that it should last more than 90,000 mi with the proper amount of scheduled maintenance. Sounds like a major recall is in order. Who knows, maybe even a clase action law suite will come out of it if enough people complain.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

On 8/7/02 my oil pressure suddenly dropped to 0. a Dodge mechanic replaced the oil pump, which was under warranty since the vehicle had only 28,000 miles on it. On 8/19/03 my oil pressure again suddenly dropped to 0. my car was towed to a Dodge dealership where an asst. Service mgr. Told me I would likely need a new engine. He said that although he had only seen this problem "one other time" my extended warranty might not cover it because it was caused by poor maintenance. I told him that I averaged only 10K miles a year on my car and had most, if not all, of my oil change records. His demeanor tells me that this won't be covered without a fight. My Durango has 40,600 miles on it. Through the internet I have learned that there are literally hundreds of people who've been stuck with thousands of dollars of unjustified charges because of Dodge's failure to admit that the engines of some Durangos develop sludge (apparently it's known as a smog sludge motor in trade terms.) when you check the following websites you'll immediately see the pattern: Consumeraffairs.com, NHTSA.gov, carsurvey.org, or simply google "oil pressure Durango" or "Durango sludge"

- New Orleans, LA, USA

Our 2000 Durango with only 57K miles, had the "check guages" light come on. The engine temp went to hot, then to cold. After taking it into the dealer, I was told that the water heater needed to be replaced ($300), the soft plugs (freeze plugs?) were bad and needed to be be replaced ($1500) and there is an internal oil leak ($1,000). This is a 2000 model year, purchased in January of 2000 and only has 57,000 miles

- Beaverton, OR, USA

While driving consumer heard a thumping sound coming from the front end. Dealership serviced the truck and was unable to determine the cause of the problem.

- Conway, AR, USA

2000 Dodge Durango. At about 69,000 miles the vehicle heater suddenly went cold and the vehicle overheated. I pulled over and checked under the hood. The vehicle lost all antifreeze. Towed it home. The next day found that a freeze plug had a hole in it. After repair, found that the freeze plug had corrosion and actually rusted through. Dealer said it was due to lack of maintenence. Impossible, freeze plugs are not maintained and coollant has a life of 100,000 miles. In addition, a freeze plug should be galvanized/aluminized to prevent corrosion. Vehicle has been repaired. However, because of this problem, I wonder if this is the reason that others are having vehicles blow up. I believe that the sludge is the result of the overheated oil and that is why the vehicles are blowing up. Not because of lack of oil changes. After this problem, I have found that my engine idles slightly rough. This seems like a good indicator of blown seals causing oil leakage and of overly heated oil creating sludge.

- Riverton, UT, USA

The truck overheated without any warning. This caused the truck to stall while making a right turn. The radiator was leaking and one of the pistons had started melting per the dealership. The engine needs to be replaced. The oil pressure gauge stayed normal and the warning light did not come on.

- Cookville, TX, USA

Traveling on he interstate in my 2000 Dodge Durango with 50K miles on it when sudden loss of oil pressure to 0. knocking under hood. Pulled over, towed to mechanic shop. Engine total loss. I have seen and heard numerous same problems and feel something should be done and I will be working my hardest on that.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

November 1, 2002 our 2000 Dodge Durango malfunctioned. It was towed into a dealership where an adjuster from our extended warranty company (North american) was sent. According to the mechanic at the dealership, an "upper plenum gasket" malfunctioned, causing oil to suck up into a part of the engine and burn up. We were told that the burned oil then dropped into the oil pan where it was then sucked up into the intake and became clogged. North american denied our claim stating negligence on our part. A representative with North american stated to me that they did not agree with the adjuster. We had to borrow over $4,000 to replace the engine in this vehicle. I have since found other people in the United States who are posting this same issue with Dodge Durango's (and not just the year 2000) consumer was asking how come there's no official investigation has opened regarding vehicle. Consumer has found 20 plus similar complaints.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

While driving, vehicle started smoking. It stalled and everything locked up. The temperature gauge went from normal to hot very fast. The dealership indicated that the engine had blown.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Engine failure in my 2000 Dodge Durango. Engine showed oil sludging that caused engine failure even though car 2.5yrs old with 32K miles.

- Hanover, MA, USA

While driving the engine light illuminated; also, the transmission light. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and dealer reset memory, 60 miles later the transmission failed. Ts....

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA