Image via Stellantis
While many families depend on the Dodge Durango to get around town, some law enforcement agencies aren’t so hot on the crossover. We already covered how Indiana State Police has dealt with a problem which has forced it to stop using dozens of Durangos in its fleet. Now, a city’s police department says it’s just selling off all its Durangos instead of dealing with persistent problems.
Watch a fleeing Dodge Ram get a proper welcome to the state of Arkansas.
In an open letter to the community, Merrillville Police Department Chief Konstantinos Nuses announced the controversial decision. He starts off by explaining how in the past the Ford Police Interceptors were “the backbone” of the department’s fleet until shortages during the pandemic affected supply.
That’s when a local dealer recommended the Dodge Durango Pursuit as a suitable replacement. The decision became what the chief calls “a profound disappointment.”
Just like what ISP found with its Durango Pursuits, MPD was met with oil cooling problems, leading to major engine failures. Most which suffered this fault had under 15,000 miles on the odometer, which is just mind boggling.
From the open letter, it sounds like Stellantis yet again has failed to fix the problem for a law enforcement agency. A promised part for the solution which was supposed to arrive in just two weeks still hasn’t arrived four months later.
Chief Nuses acknowledges in the announcement that the decision does affect taxpayer dollars. After all, vehicles lose value as they’re driven. However, replacing them is preferable to dealing with the problems which come with running the Durangos in the fleet.
We wonder how many more law enforcement agencies will drop the Durango from their fleets, generating more bad press for the Dodge brand, before Stellantis does something to remedy the oil cooling problem.
It sounds like MPD is working with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to explore possible legal action. That could in turn snowball as other agencies both in Indiana and other states do the same.
Just like Chief Nuses points out, the issue is about more than just money. Police cars which can’t be driven means fewer cops on the street. That translates into longer response times, fewer criminals caught in the act, and increased risks for members of the community.
Image via Stellantis
