After waiting months for repairs to resolve an issue with Dodge Durangos, Merrillville's police chief announced the decision to sell the SUVs.
An unspecified number of vehicles - most of which had less than 15,000 miles - sustained catastrophic engine failure as a result of a design flaw in the oil cooler, according to Merrillville police.After waiting months for repairs to resolve a design issue with Dodge Durango patrol vehicles, Merrillville, Indiana's police chief announced Friday the"difficult decision" to sell the SUVs at a financial loss.
In an open letter to the town's roughly 36,000 residents, Merrillville Police Chief Konstantinos Nuses said"the situation is not just disappointing; it is fundamentally unfair.""Our primary concern must always be the safety of the community," he said."It is heartbreaking to acknowledge that we cannot provide the reliable service you deserve when our vehicles are prone to unexpected breakdowns in the line of duty.
The department had used Ford Police Interceptors for years, but encountered challenges in acquiring the vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic and turned to Dodge Durangos, which were advertised as a"suitable alternative," the chief said. But beginning in late 2022, an unspecified number of vehicles - most of which had less than 15,000 miles - sustained catastrophic engine failure as a result of a design flaw in the oil cooler, according to the department. Merrillville police"tirelessly sought" resolutions through their local dealer and Dodge's parent company, Stellantis, and in May, were promised a part to fix the problem would be available in two weeks.
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