2000 Dodge Durango: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Dec 12, 2005 · Acceleration · 74,000 miles · VA · crash

Dt: the contact stated vehicle suddenly accelerated. Has been involved in three accidents as a result of not being able to stop the vehicle. The contact's foot was on the brake pedal with the pedal completely depressed all three times. The police were present after all three accidents, but no reports were taken. The insurance company paid for cosmetic body damage repairs to the vehicle after the accidents. The vehicle has not been to a dealership for inspection or diagnostic testing.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Acceleration · 66,000 miles · IN · crash · 1 injury

Consumer had placed key in the ignition to start vehicle when it suddenly accelerated forward, without warning, and hit a tree. Vehicle was still in park position when acceleration occur. Vehicle was totaled by insurance co. Both air bags deployed. Driver suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized.

Filed Sep 17, 2004 · Transmission · TX

While shifting transmission downn shifted on its on. Transmission hesitated while applying the accelerator pedal, and then accelerated on its own. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.*ak the driver informed the mechanic that this problem has occurred more than once and has not been resolved. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Oct 29, 2003 · Brakes · 68,226 miles · GA · crash

I was traveling about 35 mile per hour on a sunny day, dry pavement, temperature was about 78 degrees. A car about 30 feet in front of me had stop to turn. I applied my brakes and they seem to grab and lock and my car would not stop. At that point I was approximately 20 or so feet from the car in front of me I hit the brakes again, felt the car surge forward and then the brakes totally totally locked up and I hit the car in front of me. During this time the brakes made a loud clucking noise and was squealing extremely loud. The police record shows 20 feet of skid marks. This was scariest experience I have had in my life knowing that my daughter was in the car with me and my brakes would not stop, eventhough I had plenty of time to stop. I have had my 2000 dodge durango for almost 3 1/2 years, during that time I have had the brakes and replaced and less than 3 months ago the drum and rotors replaced. I am definitely a maintenance kind of person when it comes to my truck. There have been about 3 occassions in the last 3 1/2 years when I felt like my brakes were about to give. The first two resulted in service work on my brakes. The final one as you can see resulted in an accident. I have contacted my insurance company notifying them that other 2000 dodge durango drivers have experienced the same problems. My car is currently in the shop and my insurance company is going to have a brake specialist examine my brake system. The dodge company really needs to look at what this issue with the brakes in the 2000 dodge durango since this definitely does not appear to be an isolated incident. I am know considering trading in my durango as soon as I can get the funds to put down on another vehicle.

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Acceleration · 59,333 miles · NC · crash

The consumer stated while driving and without any indication, the vehicle accelerated on its own without pressing the gas pedal, which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle.*ak *cb

Filed May 6, 2003 · Brakes · 49,769 miles · WA · crash · 2 injuries

Approximately 20 occurrences of anti-lock brake failure in hard braking situations, resulting in one accident in 2002. As the brakes are applied, they will cut out and a humming noise can be heard from the motor/front of the vehicle. Sometimes the braking will kick back on after a moment or two, other times the brake pedal must be released and reapplied in order to achieve normal braking. On the may 2, 2003 incident, I was attempting to stop at a red light, traveling 25 MPH, clear and sunny day, 52 degrees. The light changed quickly and I began braking. As I depressed the brake harder, the brakes seemed to give out and I heard the humming noise. The durango slowed to about 2-5 MPH but maintained that speed, even with the brake pedal fully depressed. As I was about to roll into the intersection, I released the brakes and quickly reapplied them. The durango shot forward briefly, but the brakes then kicked in normally and I was able to stop all forward momentum. Most of the above incidents have been on sunny days, dry conditions with an average air temp of 60 degrees. We have mentioned this to the dodge dealership that maintains our vehicle and the braking system was inspected. They stated that the brakes were operating within specs and that with ABS, there will be a pause as the ABS kicks in. My wife and I have both had prior vehicles with ABS and have never had this situation before.

Filed May 4, 2000 · Acceleration · FL

When starting up car accelerated without applying brakes.*ak