NHTSA Complaint #10458645 — 2004 DODGE DURANGO

I WAS APPROX 1/10 OF A MILE DOWN OUR LOCAL ROAD WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN EXPLOSION UNDER THE CAR. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE TIRE BLEW. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED PULLING OVER BUT I CONTINUED TO HEAR A RUMBLE FROM THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THERE WAS OIL RUNNING DOWN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE MECHANIC HAS CONFIRMED A THROWN ROD THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. NO PREVIOUS WARNINGS OF ISSUES WITH THE 122,000 MILE ENGINE. CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED (BUT NOT AT A DODGE DEALER). NOW I'M FACED WITH A $6,000 BILL TO REPLACE AN ENGINE THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED ANOTHER 100,000 MILES. AS I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ENGINE (5.7 L HEMI 2004 DODGE DURANGO LIMITED). NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE ON THIS ENGINE ALTHOUGH IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON, COSTLY, DANGEROUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THEIR ENGINE.