Problems with 2000 Dodge Durango ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

While insured was traveling, he smelled gas. insured exited vehicle and looked under the hood, vehicle was on fire, claim 75-a422-019. *jg

While traveling the consumer smelled gas, passenger and driver got out and looked under the hood and discovered vehicle was on fire. claim# 75-a422-019. *yh

Engine has had a miss in it since we purchased the car. we have took it back to the dealer 3 times complaining, with the first one was before it had 2000 miles on the car. the dealership told us the first time that it would/did not show up on the computer until it had over 2000 miles on the car. so drive it until then, and if it still did it bring it back in. we brought it back in at 3,803 miles,7,596 miles and then at 18,275. at 7,596 miles they reprogrammed the car and told us to use unleaded plus gas instead of regular. it did no good to change the grade of gas. then we brought it back in at 18,275 miles with 4 different problems and they changed the fan clutch. the car still missed after this. the dealership told us at this time that they had 3 other cars with the same problem and that chrysler does not know what the problem is and can not fix it. as far as the clock spring, they were going to replace it, but chrysler told them instead to change out the steering column instead.*ak

Engine head blew while going 60mph. consumer notified dealer. consumer will add additional information.*ak

Since ownership of the vehicle two engines were replaced. front end had been realigned on at least two occasions due to excessive wear on the tires. also, fuel pump had been replaced twice. *ak

Oil fill, when changing oil, there is a milky white substance. has not affected performance of vehicle. please provide any additional information.*ak

While driving there was smoke, then fire came from engine compartment without any warning. took vehicle to dealer, and dealer cannot determine the problem. please provide further information.*ak

When vehicle is idling at a red light rpms will go up and down, then engine will stall. this has happened numerous times. *ak

I am the original owner of my 2000 durango slt 4x4, since the time of purchase in 2000. i had my vehicle in the shop for the rear roof a/c fan motor going on and off every time i am in the car while the a/c switch is off. i have all records and can contact the dealer for proof that this issue was reported, inspected and worked on numerous times and never resolved. 9 years later, and the problem still persists and has left me quite unhappy especially when this vehicle was my first purchase on my own and i'm reminded of the issue everytime i'm driving the car. i have no other complaints except for this a/c roof unit fan motor going on and off on its own for unknown reason. sometimes, it might stop if i play with the temperature and fan controllers on the front dash, but has not been specific. i have even spoken to the dealer manager where i purchased the vehicle within days and weeks and continued to months after numerous unresolved repair attempts to claim under the lemon law and the dealership guided me otherwise. even though its been 9 years, i still own the vehicle and really do wish to resolve this issue as i plan to continue to drive this vehicle for as long as possible as i do keep it routinely maintained and serviced. an additional inquiry or complaint is the awful oil sludge build up near and around the oil cap and reservoir intake where the oil is added. i was also informed by my mechanic that the headers were cleaned from sludge build up. i looked this issue up online at the dodge forums and this seems to be a very common problem. at this time, i have not had any other issues in regard to the sludge build up but my main concern is the rear fan since i cannot find any related information to repair this problem. please take the time into this rear a/c matter, and recommendations for the sludge prevention or maintenance, it would be greatly. *tr

This vehicle has stalled while driving on highway/road eight (8) times. vehicle has been in for repair three times with no success. this vehicle also has a failure to start problem, also occuring several times. repair has been unsuccessful.

This was a rental vehicle which caught on fire due to the oil level being 2.75 inches over the fill line, it caused oil to leak onto the exhaust cross over pipe, vehicle is being examined, claim 30-f037-271. *slc

Insured rented vehicle which caught on fire. daimler states the oil level caused the oil to leak onto the exhust cross-over pipe, claim 30-f307-271. *jg

The vehicle caught on fire due to an oil leak onto the exhaust cross-over pipe, however the first set of experts suggest an electrical fire, and now a second set of experts are examining the vehicle. claim# 30-f037-271.*yh

Consumer was inside of a parking lot and smelled a strange odor coming from rear of vehicle. at this time she thought it was another vehicle . when she got out of vehicle,she noticed white smoke coming from underneath vehicle, and there was gasoline pouring from the pipe. there were no prior warnings vehicle was towed to the dealership.*ak

Engine misses at idle speed. rpm's vary from 800 to 500 and sometimes down to 300 at which point the engines starts to lug and strains to keep running. it doesn't do this all the time. first thing in the morning usually and usually when i have just come off of the interstate. i've taken it to two different dealers neither which have been able to find a problem.(no check engine light....then no problem). *ak

The vehicle constantly drifts to the left and right while driving, the dealer performed a front wheel alignment but the consumer stated that the problem persisted, the dealer stated that the vehicle is operating as designed. nlm

Vehicle makes grinding noise...chrysler unable to diagnose problem. wheel bearing replaced, driveshaft replaced, motor mount shim machined and installed...to no avail. chrysler now believes it could be the front differential. chrysler is basically experimenting with vehicle in hopes that noise will go away. i have requested that the vehicle be returned to chrysler (through vehicle buy back program). long term reliability and safety of vehicle questionable at this time. drivetrain has been determined to be cause of problem. *ak