Okay, maybe the title isn't completely fair, but it could be the headline in the near future.

I recently purchased an 06 Limited, 5.7 Hemi, 4x4 and alot of toys in it. The truck overall is in great condition and runs out beautifully. There is nothing like the warm feeling you get when stepping on the gas and leaving an annoying rice grinder far behind in your dust.

However, that does not still make the issue the 06 Durango's are having concerning their fuel tanks as being acceptable. Here's the issue.

When pulling into a gas stating with less than 1/2 a tank the Durango seems to get an attitude problem, it's almost like it's offended that you let it's tank get so low. Not that it sips it's gas or anything like that, we all know how thirsty these ones can be.

It's not a problem to get the gas into the tank, though it seems to be an issue in keeping it in the tank long enough to get the pump nozzle out and the cap on it. It's become obvious that regardless of where the tank is filled, once the pump shuts off, about 1-2 seconds later the truck chooses to "Shoot" it's fuel back out of the tank. Now this isn't the overflow of someone trying to put just a little more gas in it, this is after setting the pump and allowing it to shut off on it's own. It literally looks like someone is holding a waterhose in the fuel filler tube and pumping the gas back out of the tank.

Now, I did some research and talked to friends. One owns an 06 Dakota (6 cylinder) and another owns an 08 Aspen (don't know his engine size) and it seems that both of these trucks also get offended when putting fuel in them and choose to spray it out the same exact way. Can you begin to imagine the scene if someone we're to flick a cigarette or perhaps be talking on a cell phone? Beyond that, you can't have kids in the truck when filling it as it fills the entire truck up with gas fumes, we are not talking minor, we're talking all windows down, moon roof and tailgate open to get it out. Wonder what'd happen if someone lit a smoke "inside" the truck?

Looking across the net, I found another site (not listing it here, not sure if we're allowed to) that has 42 cases of this with the 06 Durango, all saying the same thing: Spits out approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel after tank shuts off, sprays out..., gushes out...! I think you get the point. I also noticed that dealers we're saying they had never seen this before.

So off to Google I go again. This time I put in to do a search for recalls and discovered that in January of 2009, Dodge placed a recall for 2005 Durango's for shooting fuel from their tanks. What? Can this be? Dodge is taking responsibility for something? It appears that Dodge did admit the 2005 Durango has this issue and it needs to be corrected.

Finally, I take a moment and located the number to Dodge Customer Service and explained to them my plans to make a new video about the Dodge Durango. How it shows my kids enjoying the DVD system, how awesome the navigation system and Sattelite Radio are. Matter of fact I even told them I'd be happy to display the seat warmers and how the Hemi engine can toast an Expedition in the 1/4 mile. They seemed really excited until I explained the next part of the video whould show the Durango getting refueled and then shooting the fuel back out of the tank "after" the pump shuts off and a guy flicks a cigarette towards it. Final scene? I'm sure I can find some footage somewhere of a gas station fire to finish it off.

So what is the verdict? Dodge is paying for the Limited to go into the dealer and get checked out. Of course, I need to take it in with the tank empty and pay for a fill-up so the dealer can witness this vehicular act of exorcism. They will then review it and consider paying to repair the truck so it is no longer the Choice of Gas Station Bombers!

I strongly suggest to anyone that if you own an 04-08 (2nd Generation) Durango, Dakota or Chrysler Aspen and it's displaying these issues that you do 2 things:

1. Get it in to be fixed. This is not just dangerous, it's a huge issue in the event the fuel or vapors of it catch fire when shooting out of the truck. If you have kids, just imagine the worse.
2. Get Dodge on the phone and explain to them politely what it's doing and what you will do if they do not correct this issue.

As of reading this board, I know of at least 47 Durangos, Dakotas & Aspens that have this problem. The correct fix for this is an entirely new fuel tank assembly like they put on the 2005 Durangos. Just replacing the filler tube or blowing out the vapor canister is NOT considered a true, permanent fix, only replacing the tank, canister & filler tube along with associated parts is the correct way to do this.

And one other tell tale sign of this problem: My truck has a 26.9 Gallon tank, when it's dead empty it only takes 19 gallons to fill it back up. This means that 7 gallons of fuel (approximately) are not making their way into the tank because of this issue. The tank is not bleeding off the pressure of the vapors like it's supposed to do and that is why it's shooting the fuel back out. Faulty check valve is the real culprit here.

 

I have read a few posts on this site about the problem and luckily it has not affected me yet,
FF

 

I got the recall notice this spring, took mine in to the dealer, they told me it was all taken care of, but the problem is still there, although not as bad. Good luck!

 

I have an 06 that does exactly what is described in the original post. Of course there is no recall for this for my model year. thoughts or suggestions please?

 

Here is an earlier thread abouth the overflow:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...6-durango.html

FF

 

I thought a picture would be worth a thousand words. Just started happening after having the vehicle about 3 years (out of warranty). Currently my wife never fills the tank for fear of this happening every time. I thought it would be better to have a video to show the dealer what the actual problem looks like. It happens every time we fill the tank -regardless of gas station we use.

2007 Dodge Durango Gas Tank Overflow

 

Treback, ignore my message on the other post as I read this after that one. This is a common problem on other sites recently that I noticed,
FF

 

I have an 05 limited and I have had this problem for about a year. I am just loking into it now. I hope I am one of the ones covered from the 05 recall but I never got a notice. Something I read said the recall was limited to 18,000 vevhicles. I have no idea how many Durangos sell in a year.

Trebacz - that is a great idea to make a video. I'm going to do the same. Thanks for the idea.

 

Dodge has a section on their site that you plug you VIN in and it will tell you if your vehicle has a recall:

https://www.dodge.com/hostb/crossbrand/owners/en/

FF