I need some advice peeps!!!!

[Bowlforthedog]

I presently have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and the vehicle has been nothing but problems from the start! I am getting rid of it obviously because it is piece of crap. I have been looking at the Durango. I am wondering what advice you all would give me on getting a 04 or 05 model. If I go American made it will be Dodge, never again will I go with Chevy. What are some of the issues that the Durango's are having? Are the Durango's reliable? Any help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks

[tommychau]

I had no major problems with my 00 Durango R/T so far. Just the usual minor hiccups. I am sure there are issues with every vehicle out there. Just depends on where and how you drive your vehicle and how you take care of it that determines your vehicle's health and life expectancy.

My durango, I mainly drive it on pavement. Rarely if ever go off pavement. I seldom drive in areas where paved roads are in bad shape. I keep constant virtual to good maintenance both inside out. The durango is garaged at all times, even at work and shopping places if covered parking is available! My durango is only exposed to sunlight when it is on the road.

So all in all, I have about 51k miles on it for a 2000 durango. 30k miles of that belong to me. Bought it used in 2001 when it had 21k. The overall appearance and mechanical condition is still mint.

Good points: Great smooth quiet ride, especially on highway. Has ample power when needed. interior gauges and controls are placed just right for the driver.

Bad points: Drinks gas like there is no tommorrow. I think out of the big 3 from Detroit, Dodge sucks the most gas for its v8 vehicles.

[FirefighterWMFD]

I would say unless they fixed the engine sludge problem, Stay away from the durangos.

[mprtech]

I'm kinda new here, but this sludge problem you state, have you actually experienced any problems due to the "sludge" or are you just seeing the condensation in the filler tube?

[tommychau]

I have been around the Dodge forums for a while and looks like the sludge problem everyone is reporting about pertains to the 4.7 litre family engines. Also, I think it was the their first production year that most of these problems were reported also. I have a 5.9 and have not really seen reports of sludging on that family of engines. So far, to my knowledge from the results of user's findings, the sludge problem seems to be caused by a faulty intake manifold gasket. This problem is internal so troubleshooting it even from the dealership may be difficult to find. Also, the possible faulty intake gasket can cause other problems such as idling and what not. I guess anti-freeze slowly leaks into the oil and over time, sludges it up. This would explain the sludge building up even tho the owners constantly have their oil changed at 3k miles. I think I even remember one user mentioned that there could be a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from Chrysler on this as well on the 4.7 litre family engines.

So other than that, if you feel you still want a Durango but worried about the sludge rurmors, you can look to get a 5.9 litre Durango or a 5.2 litre. I think 5.2's only go to 1999 models?? Cannot remember the last year 5.2's were still available.

[peace1960]

Originally Posted by Bowlforthedog

I presently have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer and the vehicle has been nothing but problems from the start! I am getting rid of it obviously because it is piece of crap. I have been looking at the Durango. I am wondering what advice you all would give me on getting a 04 or 05 model. If I go American made it will be Dodge, never again will I go with Chevy. What are some of the issues that the Durango's are having? Are the Durango's reliable? Any help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks

i've had my 2000 durango for 3 yrs, and other than the basic little problems here and there, i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cousincletus]

Have a 2003 Durango 4.7 and have had no problems. Very dependable but gets crappy mileage (15 mpg average).

[davez57]

I have a 2004 Durango limited with the 5.7L Hemi. It is powerful, rides smooth as glass and is very comfortable. I would recomend that you take a good look at the Durango. My wife has taken it over and she now drives it most of the time. She absolutely loves it. Let us know what you end up doing. Good luck

[1thunder]

The 2004-2005 Durangos have been pretty good so far i haven't had any complaints on anything yet other than set up features such as delay lamp time or power door lock features and we have never heard of sludge problems on any engine other than the 2.7L v6 engine and this is not available in the Durango platform

[x3mtm]

Hey, I Have A 99 Durango... No Problems At All, Runs Great Looks Nice And If Ur Interested In Buying One, I Heard The 05 Durango Is The Best In Its Class And Is Not Dat Expensive. One Tips Dou, Keep It Up With The Maintenance. Oil Change, Tranny Chance, Spark Plugs, Wires, Brakes, Filrters, Etc. Good Luck On Your New Car.

[oprice]

I haven't had any major problems with my 04 Durango - it's got power, it's comfortable on long trips, and you can mix and match features to get pretty much whatever you want. It's smooth at 100mph, and it tows very well. I have only had two small problems - an air bag sensor malfunctioned and the wheel center caps kept falling out. Both were minor fixes and the sort of thing you expect in the first model year of a vehicle. If you go Durango, make sure you go with the Hemi...