2018 Dodge Durango engine problems

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Engine · MO

Defect causes premature wear and deterioration of camshafts and lifters, causing engine failure.

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

Back to back error codes P0300 P0108 P1404 P0172 Rough running engine. Very strong smell of fuel at two different times while driving. Vehicle not responding to gas pedal while driving on highway. Repairs at thousands of dollars.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Engine · 66,700 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a week later, while the vehicle was idling, it was vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the same mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam lobes were worn and needed to be replaced. The mechanic confirmed the findings with the dealer, and it was confirmed that it was a known issue due to the heat treatment to harden the steel not being properly performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,700.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine · VA

Over time, the valvetrain in my engine became gradually louder. Because there were no check engine lights or fault codes, I initially assumed this was a normal characteristic of the engine. That changed on January 2, 2026, when I began to hear a pronounced knocking/loud tapping noise accompanied by a cylinder 8 misfire. At that point, I stopped driving the vehicle and had it towed to a repair shop. Based on the symptoms, we initially believed the issue would be limited to a camshaft and lifter replacement. However, after draining the oil and cutting open the oil filter, a significant amount of metal debris was discovered. Further inspection revealed that one camshaft lobe had been worn down nearly smooth and the corresponding lifter had failed. When the camshaft was removed for full evaluation, all other lobes showed normal, even wear. Only the lobe associated with the failed lifter exhibited catastrophic damage beyond repair. As a result of the metal contamination throughout the engine, a full engine replacement was required rather than a repair of individual components. The basis of my complaint is that this failure appears to be a well-documented and common issue with the 6.4L HEMI engine equipped with MDS. I have since reviewed numerous reports and forum discussions describing nearly identical failures—often beginning with increased valvetrain noise, followed by a single-cylinder misfire and extensive internal damage. This was not the result of neglect or abuse, but rather a known failure mode that ultimately led to the complete loss of the engine.

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Engine · NY

While driving on the Thruway, the vehicle tends to misfire which results in lost power to the engine and shaking of the vehicle. The check engine light starts flashing and it becomes unsafe to maintain speeds. The issue was diagnosed as Cylinder 5 Misfire caused by camshaft and lifter failure. This sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds could cause an accident if it happens during traffic or passing situations. This is a known issue with the 2018 Dodge Durango GT V6 and should be a recall on the vehicle. This is a major engine issue.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Engine · MN

My vehicle began to misfire after driving roughly 8 miles, check engine light would flash and ding. After shutting vehicle off for a while and restarting it, problem would be gone until driving approximately 8 miles. Brought to Chrysler service center, where they reproduced the problem and determined it is a camshaft or camshaft related issue. Vehicle is parked at that service center awaiting parts that are backordered until January. Vehicle cannot be driven in this condition. If the camshaft fails catastrophically, it could destroy the entire engine, putting myself and whoever else is in the vehicle in danger.

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Engine · IN

3.6L V6 Engine, Auto Start/Stop light came on followed by check engine light. Codes for multiple misfires, replaced multiple coils and replaced all spark plugs. After all was replaced, still had the same issues. Took it to a local Dodge dealership and they said it was a head gasket but it would have to be sent off to figure out which one.

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Engine · CA

2018 Dodge Durango GT with 47,000. The check engine light came on. Took it to a Dodge dealer for service. Diagnosis was head gasket failure, allowing coolant into the cylinder causing engine misfire and potential overheat and a blown engine. This appears to be an ongoing issue with the Penstar V6 engine. This is a safety concern because the vehicle may break down while driving or overheat without warning, creating a power loss while driving

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Engine · MI

Right hand and left hand intake camshaft were damaged by the slider rocker finger follower. Cylinder 5 was the worst. Metal was sent through the overhead and got into the intake phaser. Parts were recently removed by the dealer and should be available if request is made shortly. Failure was found prior to catastrophic failure due to noise from the engine compartment. Vehicle was dropped off in the overnight drop box to allow vehicle the best chance to replicate the noise. Noise was only noticeable during cold starts below 30°f at idle and no load. Once the car warmed up, the noise was much less noticeable and could easily have been overlooked. No check engine lights were illuminated. If problem was not corrected, I'm confident this vehicle would have left me stranded by loss of power during driving putting me and my family in an unsafe situation. I first noticed the objectionable noise in November 2024 but was unable to get it to replicate reliably so a dealer could diagnose it. The problem was replicated by a dealer and components were replaced under warranty @ 53,272 miles. Oil changes were completed in line or ahead of the oil life monitor system in the cars instrument cluster. This seems to be a cold climate design issue with no oil being provided to the intake camshaft to sliding rocker finger follower interface during start up as oil appears to be fed from exhaust side lash adjuster. I suspect this same issue will reappear as the replacement parts are the same with no apparent improvements. Since the repair I've noticed improved fuel economy, smoother accelerations and shifts, and overall less noise. The degradation of these things before was slow enough to be unnoticeable.

Filed Jul 2, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Between the transmission slipping since 30k, the engine knocking. The check engine flashing. I have changed the coil packs spark plugs, all filters and still nothing, the auto stop/start does not work it flashes Boggs out and loses power. The whole steering wheel and truck vibrates and shakes to a point you feel like you’re on an incline going up a roller coaster. I have replaced batteries 2x the windows no longer auto roll down when using fobs even w new batteries and re programming electrical system power randomly fails and all lights go out the. Screen goes out stops working for days on end .