First off I think you will get a better response by starting your own thread. However, let me try to play devils advocate here.

The only way the CarFax report is going to show an accident indicator is if:
1) The police filed a report because of an accident
or
2) The insurance company reports such a thing to the people who would ultimately populate that information to a company like CarFax.

For example, if you run a carfax on a car that has been in New Hampshire its entire life the only entries you will see are the ones when the car was titled. The state reports nothing.

Contrary to this if you run one for a car in Massachusetts you will see where each annual safety/emissions inspection has taken place.

Think of it this way. If that Durango was involved in an accident and the police were not called to the scene there will be no entries on the CarFax of an accident for either vehicle on that day. It is unfortunate but there is no way to report every last think that a car has been through even though CarFax advertises that they do.

As far as engine and suspension work... that can be a multitude of reasons. Go to the dealer, give them the VIN number and ask them to run a service history on it. If the work was performed by a dealer it will be in the computer system. Anything from a leaky valve cover to a motor replacement will be entered as engine work. The same can be said for suspension work, it can be anything.

It sucks that you did not notice this stuff before you bought the truck. Chances are the dealer is not at fault and the sales manager probably had no knowledge of a previous accident. Their statement that the truck was babied is bull though. Unless he knew the previous owner he has no idea if it was or not.

Best of luck with it, but it is pretty safe to say your going to have to keep the truck as it is or sell it.

 

Just wanted to give everyone an update. Since I originally posted this thread about the rust on my rear 1/4 (see pics above) the truck has gone in twice to have the rear 1/4 painted. Both times the paint started to bubble again.

So I pulled the rear bumper off to really inspect the 1/4 panel. I found that there appears to be 3 pieces of sheetmetal that make up the 1/4's There is the outer layer, the inner layer and a layer in between. Well there is definately moisture getting trapped in between the layers of the sheetmetal because I was able to pull the middle layer of sheetmetal out in chunks of rust/rot with my fingernail!

Two weeks ago I brought it back to the dealer that fixed it the last two times with the rear bumper off and they body shop manager told me he is seeking approval from the warranty claims to replace the rear 1/4 panel!

This is pretty f'ed up all things considered. After further inspection I noticed there is a seamsealer on the passenger side of the rear 1/4 panel in this area that is not on the drivers side. Seems to me it is a manufacturing defect.

Just an FYI for you all to keep an eye out....

 

I have the same problem with the paint bubbling and rust starting. I went to the dealer and they said the paint is out of warranty. I contacted Dodge and was told the same thing. We are talking about pretty expensive SUVs not an $8000 kia. I am absolutely disgusted with Dodge. I have meticulously maintained my Durango always washed and waxed! Should I keep pestering Dodge?

 

The difference is the post above your issue is that theirs was 4 years ago and he had it taken care of likely under warranty at that time. Yours is +7 years old and no such luck. Another reason to start new threads.

There are a few trouble areas to watch out for. If you know, you can mitigate/eliminate it from being a problem before it starts in those areas. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In your case, it may simply be time for a trip to the body shop.

IndyDurango

 

It is true that it is getting older. I know that some rust from rocks hitting the paint and things like that are normal. It just seems odd the way the paint is bubbling and rusting in a spot without any previous injury to the area. I went to a body shop yesterday and it will be over $900 to fix and they didn't have any answers as to what could be causing the problem and no guarantee. I just think it is a little early to be turning into a rust heap.

 

Has your gas tank ever not shut off when filling which is a common problem '04-'06 ('04-05's had a recall for this, not '06's) My '06 started bubbling March 2011 and just over a month ago it started rusting under the gas door. My gas tank overflows if I don't baby it, I have complained to Dodge that this is caused by the gas overflow, the build date of mine was 11/05. The local stealer couldn't get the gas to overflow for them, i said BS, it overflows every time if your not careful. They said I could take the Service Manger with me to get gas the next time, which was this past Friday and it overflowed in front of him. He was shocked, since it spewed almost a quart of gas, they are now going to fix the fuel tank and then repair/repaint the quarter panel. Keep complaining!