Radiator problems of the 2001 Dodge Durango

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Durango. While driving 55 mph, an unknown liquid splashed onto the windshield before the thermostat gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating. The contact pulled over and observed under the hood that the coolant was low. The coolant was refilled, but the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the fan clutch, electric fan, radiator cap, serpentine belt, and thermostat were replaced. The remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not found. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 212,282.

Since 2007, have had many problems with overheating. One time to the point it warped both heads and had to have the engine rebuilt. Have replaced water pump, radiator, thermostat (3 times), clutch fan. When the heads warped, the upper radiator hose sheared apart and I saw no check engine light (cel) and the temperature gauge never went above half-way. Personally I think it's just a bad design. The upper radiator hose contains the radiator cap, and it's still not the highest point in the "closed" system, thusly there is always air which never purges into the overflow tank. Everytime I check radiator fluid their is none in the upper radiator hose. The fluid has to be going somewhere, although I never see any under the vehicle. I have read in internet forums of many people having this same issue. It's not year specific, nor is it engine model specific. There is an underlying issue that Dodge isn't addressing, or has kept from the general public to avoid having to replace 500,000 engines. I love my vehicle. I love the way it drives as well as it's appearance. This is quite an annoyance. It has depleted what little savings my family has to insure that our daily-driver of a vehicle will be getting us from point a to point b. We have refrained from taking this vehicle on any type of trip outside our metro area for this reason alone.

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning vehicle was overheating and clogged up. Dealer was aware of problem. Please fill in additional information.

We purchased the car on December 1 2000 and it was back at the dealer on Dec 2 2000, for over heating. Then again on 4-05-01 for over heating, and again on 8-30-01 for the same, and again on 10-16-01 for the same. Then 12 more times after the last date listed. There has been 2 new engines put into this car. The dealer has paid for the repairs every time but one. The last time this happened I was crossing two lanes of on comming traffic when my car died, I had my 3 kids in the car. We were able to role out of the intersection before being hit. We are trying to get a buy back from Chrysler. Please help. If you have any info that will help in this process we would love to know about it. Thanks for your help.