Engine Oil Leaking problems of the 2000 Dodge Durango

Problems with engine and engine components oil gauge not working, ticking in moter oil leaking. Was told I need new moter. Also strange noises from steering colomn. Truck only has 79,000 miles I am requesting Chrysler recall this truck and stand behind their company and fix what is wrong with these engines, ect.

Our 2000 Durango with only 57k miles, had the "check guages" light come on. The engine temp went to hot, then to cold. After taking it into the dealer, I was told that the water heater needed to be replaced ($300), the soft plugs (freeze plugs?) were bad and needed to be be replaced ($1500) and there is an internal oil leak ($1,000). This is a 2000 model year, purchased in January of 2000 and only has 57,000 miles.

2000 Dodge Durango. At about 69,000 miles the vehicle heater suddenly went cold and the vehicle overheated. I pulled over and checked under the hood. The vehicle lost all antifreeze. Towed it home. The next day found that a freeze plug had a hole in it. After repair, found that the freeze plug had corrosion and actually rusted through. Dealer said it was due to lack of maintenence. Impossible, freeze plugs are not maintained and coollant has a life of 100,000 miles. In addition, a freeze plug should be galvanized/aluminized to prevent corrosion. Vehicle has been repaired. However, because of this problem, I wonder if this is the reason that others are having vehicles blow up. I believe that the sludge is the result of the overheated oil and that is why the vehicles are blowing up. Not because of lack of oil changes. After this problem, I have found that my engine idles slightly rough. This seems like a good indicator of blown seals causing oil leakage and of overly heated oil creating sludge.

Insured rented vehicle which caught on fire. Daimler states the oil level caused the oil to leak onto the exhust cross-over pipe, claim 30-f307-271.