Indiana State Troopers Grapple with Faulty Dodge Durangos
Indiana State Troopers are experiencing significant problems with their newly acquired Dodge Durangos. Just over a year into service, several of the department’s Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles are facing issues with defective oil coolers that allow engine oil to contaminate coolant. This defect has resulted in serious engine failures, requiring extensive repairs or, in some cases, complete engine replacements, as reported by Automotive News.
Currently, nearly 20 percent of the new Durangos have been taken out of service due to these oil cooler failures. The Indiana State Police purchased a total of 519 Durango Pursuit models to replace their aging Dodge Chargers from 2010, at a cost of $25.8 million. So far, they have received 219 of these SUVs, but 39 of them are already experiencing oil cooler malfunctions. Some troopers have reported seeing the dreaded “chocolate milkshake” mixture, a clear indication of oil and coolant mixing, typically caused by head-gasket failures. This particular symptom usually signifies serious impending engine repairs.
Sergeant Carey Huls explained to WDRB that there are other concerning symptoms as well. He stated, "You start noticing an odor that doesn’t seem right […] you see some smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and then eventually, the car just stops running, ruining the engine." In an effort to mitigate these issues, many Indiana State Troopers are checking their Durangos for oil cooler signs each time they stop for gas, as engine repairs can take between four to eight weeks. The ISP has not confirmed whether these issues are limited to the units equipped with the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine or if they also affect those with the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine.
ISP Superintendent Doug Carter has reached out to Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, but has yet to receive a timeline for resolving the issue. Meanwhile, trust in the Durangos is waning among troopers, with some labeling the vehicles as a "safety risk." Based on the current failure rate of 18%, the agency expects that about 40 more Durangos may experience oil cooler problems, potentially leading to 79 out of the 519 models being defective. The ISP has pointed out that a fully equipped Durango costs around $50,000, suggesting that the issue likely involves the V8 models. If confirmed, this could mean that more than $3.9 million worth of police equipment might be unavailable for its intended purpose—funded by Indiana’s taxpayers.
In a recent statement, Stellantis assured that the company would cover any necessary repairs for the ISP’s fleet, even if the Durangos are no longer under warranty. Stellantis also mentioned that the Dodge Durango Pursuit has been in use by police departments across the United States since 2018 and has received "exemplary feedback" overall. However, the vehicle has faced at least one recall in 2023 due to issues with column-mounted shifters not seating properly, which could cause them to disengage while driving and lead to a sudden loss of power. Following WDRB’s report on the ISP’s troubles, other law enforcement agencies have come forward, reporting similar issues within their own Durango fleets.
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