Indiana Police Department Faces Challenges with Dodge Durango Patrol Cars
The Indiana State Police Department is facing a major setback with its fleet of Dodge Durango Pursuit police vehicles. After pulling 18 percent of its fleet from service due to oil cooler issues, another police agency in Indiana is now announcing that it will be selling some of its Durango Pursuit vehicles. The Merriville Police Department has decided to get rid of these vehicles because of engine failure caused by oil cooler problems, despite the vehicles having less than 15,000 miles on the odometer.
Merriville Chief of Police Konstantinos Nuses expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that the department had been attempting to work with dealers and Stellantis to find a solution to the ongoing problems. However, a promised part that would have fixed the issue never materialized, leaving the department with no choice but to sell off the affected vehicles. Nuses emphasized that this situation is not only disappointing but also fundamentally unfair, as both taxpayers and police departments have invested in a product that has failed to live up to expectations.
Switch from Ford to Dodge Leads to Unforeseen Challenges
The Merriville Police Department made the decision to switch from Ford to Dodge in 2022 due to pandemic-related shortages that made it difficult to acquire fleet vehicles. While the department was assured that the Dodge Durango Pursuit would be a suitable alternative, the reality has been far from ideal. Engine oil cooler issues have plagued the department’s fleet, leading to engine failure in multiple vehicles within a short period of time.
This unexpected turn of events has put a strain on the department’s ability to fulfill its duty to protect and serve the community. Chief Nuses expressed frustration with the lack of support from Dodge in resolving the issue, stating that the company has failed to take responsibility or provide a viable solution. With vehicles out of commission due to engine failure, the department is left struggling to maintain its operations effectively.
Stellantis Responds to Concerns
In response to the issues faced by the Merriville Police Department and other agencies using the Dodge Durango Pursuit, Stellantis issued a statement defending the vehicle’s reliability while also acknowledging the challenges experienced by customers. The company emphasized that the Durango Pursuit meets or exceeds all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and is designed to withstand severe operating conditions unique to police vehicles.
Stellantis also addressed the difficulties in detecting certain oil-cooler issues, which can lead to collateral damage and require complex remedies. The company expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to police-community customers and stated that they are working to expedite service for affected vehicles. Since its launch in 2018, the Durango Pursuit has been deployed with thousands of police agencies across North America, with overall feedback being positive.
Despite Stellantis’ reassurances, the Merriville Police Department is still facing the challenge of dealing with vehicles that have suffered engine failure due to oil cooler problems. The department is now looking to the state’s attorney general for assistance in resolving the issue and seeking compensation for the downtime and financial losses incurred as a result of the faulty vehicles.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Indiana State Police Department and other agencies affected by the Dodge Durango Pursuit’s issues will navigate this challenging situation and ensure the safety and effectiveness of their law enforcement operations.
