The police chief of a town in Indiana (Merrillville, USA), Konstantinos Nuseshas unleashed a media storm: fed up with the failures of its Dodge Durango patrol carsin addition to openly criticizing Stellantis and apologizing to taxpayers for spending their money “on a fleet of fiascos,” has decided to sell them off at a loss.
According to Nuses, Dodge Durangos converted into patrol cars (most with less than 24,000 km) would have suffered multiple engine failures due to a problem with the oil coolerwhich operates when the engine is running and whose main purpose is to cool the oil as it flows near it.
“The situation is not only disappointing, it is fundamentally unfair,” says Nuses.
“The situation is not only disappointing, it is fundamentally unfair,” Nuses said in a letter to citizens de Merrillville, which he posted on the department’s Facebook and which he also read in an interview with Fox 32 Chicago. “All of us, taxpayers and police departments alike, We have paid for a defective productand Dodge has not taken responsibility or provided a solution.”
Until 2019, the department’s standard vehicles were Ford Police Interceptors. But due to supply and spare parts issues resulting from the pandemic, Nuses turned to local dealers, who provided Durangos as a suitable alternative for the police.
But in just three years, what seemed like a hopeful solution soon turned into a nightmare. According to Nuses, the problems began in late 2022, when Durangos began experiencing engine failures caused by a defect in the oil cooler, affecting vehicles that“Most of them had less than 24,000 km.”
After facing continuous breakdowns and the “lack of effective solutions” from Stellantis, Nuses has decided to sell the SUVs “at a significant economic loss” without specifying further, but harshly criticizing the automotive giant for not assuming its responsibility.
Meanwhile, in response to Nuses’ accusations, Stellantis told NBC5 Chicago that: “The Dodge Durango Pursuit meets or exceeds all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and is subject to severe operating conditions to which the standard version of the Durango is immune.” “In addition, some oil cooler problems are difficult to detect, which can lead to collateral damage and a very complex solution.”
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to our valued customers in the law enforcement community and are working to expedite service for any affected vehicles,” the manufacturer, which owns the Dodge brand, added. However, the Merrillville police’s difficulties with this model are not an isolated case.
Source: Facebook Merrillville Police
In June 2023, the Indiana State Police (ISP), issued a similar statement in relation to problems with the new Dodge Durango police vehicles. Specifically, 39 of its 218 Durangos had suffered similar mechanical problems, leading to nearly 20% of its fleet being temporarily out of service.
The ISP had then ordered 516 Durangos for a total value of 25.8 million dollars (24.3 million euros), at a price of approximately 50,000 dollars (47,000 euros) per unit. The ISP also denounced the lack of quick solutions and the long repair times, which varied from four to eight weeks.
“The citizens and taxpayers of Indiana are being ripped off and deserve better,” said Doug Carter, spokesman for the ISP. Although the company has said it is making efforts “to streamline service,” the situation has generated a wave of complaints and concern from the affected police departments.
Source: www.motorpasion.com
