2018 Dodge Durango: engine failure

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Engine · MO

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

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 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 Dec 31, 2023 · Engine · NY

I bought this car, brand new off the dealer and it has been in perfect shape until 120,000 miles. All of a sudden the check engine light comes in and turns out it was the head gasket!! 5 years old, hasn't needed a thing and the mechanic tells me I need a new engine!? What good is it if I buy a brand new car and take perfect care of it all to end up with the engine going to [XXX]. I have heard other people saying the same thing with their 3.6l pentastar engine. AT 120K...I don't see that being a coincidence if it keeps happening with the SAME engine at the SAME AMOUNT OF MILES. There is definitely a problem here. P.s won't let me upload documents on the mechanics diagnosis. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 31, 2023 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Durango. The contact stated after attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The contact then stated that after several attempts to start the vehicle she smelled a burning odor. No warning lights were illuminated. The AAA was notified of the failure and the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that coolant had leaked in the engine and burned the starter; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the repair cost would be covered. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.