CarComplaints.com Notes: The second generation Durango was introduced in 2004 and instantly came under fire for, well, catching on fire.
From 2004-2006 electrical overloading in the driver's side instrument panel caused numerous reports of interior fires. The interior infernos became so commonplace that Chrysler eventually issued a recall.
The problems didn't stop there, however. Owners of the recalled vehicles complained about being treated unfairly and given take-it-or-leave-it low ball settlement offers. "They offered me $2000 under NADA retail as a settlement," said one owner, "and have been rude and hostile to deal with." Nothing says awesome service like treating your customers rudely after their cars have caught on fire.
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
We purchased our pre-owned 2004 5.7 limited edition in January 2007. It had around 40,000 miles. Within a year or so after, the cd changer stopped working, and then the radio would sometimes not work after heavy rain. During a heavy downpour the car would shake and sometimes turn-off, leaving me and 2 small kids stranded on the side of the highway until the rain lightened enough for the car to start again. Whenever we would take the car in to be repaired for this problem, we were always told they couldn't find anything wrong that would cause those types of problems, but we had numerous repairs that we now think were probably related to the water problem, such as a new starter, repairs for a coolant leak, etc. In early 2014 the car began having problems with overheating. A few days after a two or three day period of near constant rain I went to start the car and it sounded like it was flooded or something. Then there was a long bang followed by a terrible noise coming from the engine. Had it towed and looked at by two different mechanics who said there was a hole in the block and the engine would have to be replaced. I just recently decided to search the internet to see if any other people had this problem and have found hundreds of posts by consumers who had this very same thing happen to this model Dodge Durango. It seems appropriate for Dodge to be investigated for this and pay us for thousands of dollars spent on repairs, tows, having to sit dangerously on the side of highways when the car would turn of in the heavy rain, and the fact that we ended up just having to junk our car for a few hundred bucks and will now have to purchase a brand new car we cannot afford when we had just paid this one off two years prior. They should be held accountable for basically selling cars with defective components to unsuspecting buyers for tens of thousands of dollars!!!
The horn started going off on my 2004 Dodge Durango. We pulled the fuse for the horn and replaced it that did not fix the problem. We then took it in to griffin hub Dodge and Chrysler dealership. I was told at one point that the relay for the airbags was bad. Then the second time that I called I was told the wiring for the air bake was bad. I will be taking it to a different dealership to see if I get the same answer. However if the wiring to the airbag is bad that is a safety issue not a wear and tear issue and should be covered under a recall.
What can I say... Dodge clearly has a design flaw in which water from rain, ect... leaks onto engine and electrical components slowly causing the death of vehicle with a dying motor and electrical problems. Water pours onto engine right down from the windshield. Who designs this crap!!!! I used the best oils and now this is what I have as a rewards from Dodge for my maintenance.
My 2004 Dodge Durango limited with the hemi 5.7 has an erratic idle at stops whenever it rains. Later in the week I went on the highway at 45 mph the engine stalled during a rain storm. I only have 125,000 miles on the vehicle. I researched this online and found it was most likely the plastic wiper cowl below the windshield allowing water to flow over the top of the engine, which collects on the intake manifold and might slowly make it's way in to the block and hydrolock the engine. Seriously I thought. I went out the next day and opened the hood and placed the garden hose over the center of the windshield with the wipers on and ran the water on low, and also in the off position. Sure enough a lot of water flows in to the driver side wiper hole where it rotates and spreads out over the back two cylinders of the center of the engine. I found there is possibly an upgrade wiper cowl that may prevent some of the water flow buy not all of it. So now I am concerned with this circumstanced even after I get the new cowl that water will still be damaging or destroying my engine one day from water flowing through the cowl over the top of the engine once again. This would cost me $5000-$6000 for engine replacement, just because of a poor design, and no recall or solution from Dodge to take care of this water issue.
- Lakewood, CO, USA
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My truck all of a sudden stop working with no warning. It only has 119,000 miles on it and it wont start. I would like to know if its apart of the recall.
I have a 2004 Dodge Durango slt, 2-wheel drive, 8 cylinder, hemi magnum. My problem is that whenever it rains or I go through a car wash or it snows, my car acts like it wants to cut off when I come to a stop. It gasps for air. Sometimes it does cut off, but it quickly starts back again. Once it stops raining, my car acts normal again. I've taken it to a Dodge dealership three times for the same problem, and every time the technician cannot find anything wrong with it. He even drove it in the rain. The answer seems so simple, but no one can seem to find anything wrong with my vehicle. Now I'm afraid to drive it when it rains.
2004 Dodge Durango limited, 5.7L hemi, purchased on 5/15/13. Extended warranty purchased with vehicle at time of sale. Vehicle has been returned for service five times to date for same root issue. In under one year, only approximately 2600 miles have been driven due to lack of reliability and service related problems. In this case, the root problem is known to the service department and is not unique to this specific vehicle, but rather a known issue with this year, make and model. Chrysler is unable to provide direction or any technical support to assist the service department with solving the issue. It has been clearly acknowledged by the dealership service department, as well as Chrysler directly, that this matter involves a manufacturing defect that has not been corrected and was never issued as a recall. Most recently, I was notified that engine damage had been repaired and the vehicle was ready to be picked up. In the same conversation, however, I was advised that the cause of the damage, being the defect that allows water to enter the engine compartment during heavy rain or car washes, was not rectified. This issue is clearly unresolved and the safety of my family and other motorists could be in jeopardy if catastrophic engine failure were to occur. Chrysler has opted to ignore this frequently reported issue and simply push those who complain away.
I bought my 04 Durango from a dealer and im outside of warranty I'm a little irritated with my wife calling me complaining she is stranded! I paid big money for this truck and don't think I should be responsible for paying a mechanic to play guess and check. I have my truck randomly shifting in and out of 4lock mostly while driving slow but has happened on the expressway im worried for damage to my transfercase from this I cant afford to replace a transfercase let alone the truck its self I see alot of others with the same issue and I think it should be a recall before someone is hurt by this common problem.
Truck was parked in the driveway and it was raining and without warning the lights turned on and smoke was seen from the hood, the key was not in the ignition or no one was near the truck at the time the fire department was called in and the battery was disconnected. The truck was taken to the dealer for repairs and $1000 was spent on repairs and when the truck was taken for a car wash the same thing happened again the Dodge dealer does not know what causes the water to go in to the engine I was told to change the spark plug wires and cables another $600 but I was told that as water keeps going in the same problem may occur. Tests were done in the Dodge dealer shop and they confirmed that water is going in to the engine but cannot explain why and how to resolve it. If driving and it rains this may cause an accident if the truck turns off while driving.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning whenever being driven in rainy weather. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who was not able to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle continued to stall without warning each time it would rain. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who was not able to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to recur sporadically. The manufacturer was notified of the failure on multiple occasions. The approximate failure mileage was 200.
When raining vehicle wants to shut off due to water running down the hood/ windshield cowl and directly running onto engine electrical components. Perform a search for vehicle and issue. I am not the only one to have this issue.
Oem cd player has become inoperable due to battery change. This is a known issue with all makes and models of DCC. Even new 2013 and 2014 models. DCC refuses to do anything about this. Dealers charge big bucks to re-flash control module so that cd player is again recognized by computer. Why should a vehicle have to be re programmed every time a battery goes dead? this is an obvious design flaw in software and the public should not be footing the bill for it.
During medium/heavy rain the engine stalls badly or completely dies. Also happens during car washes, though not a safety issue then- just aggravating! :( restarts only after rain subsides. This creates a very dangerous driving condition- for myself and those vehicles around me. My research shows this is a very common problem for this vehicle. Despite countless complaints, it appears Dodge has refused to acknowledge or address it for several years, alienating many previously loyal customers (this was a very popular SUV). The factory waranty was expired/near to expire when most of us began to experience this so we had little recourse. As my vehicle was purchased new and has low miles for its age, I plan to keep it for the foreseeable future- circumstances permitting... thank you for letting me post my concern here! I hope something can be done to correct this very serious issue. Long overdue! step up Chrysler and stand behind your product. Thank you again for giving attention to my concern. :)
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The exterior lights and the radio then immediately became inoperable. The driver and passenger's side doors and rear hatch also became inoperable. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle when the failure occurred. The vehicle was not taken for diagnosis of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that whenever water came in contact with the vehicle such a rain, driving through a deep puddle or going through a car wash for instance, the vehicle would stall. The failure was recurring. The mechanic diagnosed that the air temperature sensor and the electric throttle needed to be replace. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Water is getting under the cowl and onto my motor. I have taken my 2004 hemi Durango to several shops/dealers and the water is causing all kinds of problems. The cylinders are misfiring, some of the metal parts under the hood have rusted irreparably (ie. Motor heat guards), the windshield gets ice on the inside of the vehicle, my headlights blink on and off while driving, the heat works only sometimes due to the wires under the passenger side dash getting wet, and this water getting through is also causing my car to stall or almost stall every time it rains or take it through a car wash. This water is causing electrical problems. It is also rusting horribly fast near the wheel wells and on the back trunk hatch. Within only 2 weeks of cold weather I now have a solid hole from the rust. Why can't they recall some parts and fix this? the dealer is no help, they only want to charge me huge amounts of money to repair problems that were factory defects.
The electrical portion started after I first purchased the vehicle. The issue worsened after someone broke into the vehicle. The car wouldn't stay charged, and I ended up needing a tow every other week. My car insurance went up to $550 a month. I was always stranded. The problem was worse in the rain. Sometimes the car would cut off while driving, it did it once on the highway and I saw a semi coming down the highway and I thought I was dead. I got it started and pulled over to the shoulder because I didn't have enough speed to get out the way. Eventually it couldn't' start anymore. I had it sitting for a year as I kept making loan payments. I fixed one thing after the other...thinking it was the problem...the car would start and die a few days later. This last time I changed the starter for the third time. A rod was thrown and the engine is locked. I wasn't even driving the vehicle, it started after 3rd starter was installed and a crunch noise sounded a few minutes later while trying to give the battery some juice. I towed it into another shop and they confirmed the engine is gone. I had to pay full coverage insurance because it's financed and a car note for a truck that's gone. I've searched online and Dodge knows and hasn't taken responsibility. Involuntary repossession would be futile because after the fee for repo, towing, storage..I will owe more than what I have left to pay, $5000 and still not even scrap metal. I've read so many discussion board post, consumer blogs on this model and 'm floored. I guess the complaints are recent because one you get to like 70,00 mile you are toast. I don't drive to work, only on the weekends and I take good care of my truck and now I have nothing but payments and metal that looks pretty on the outside.
My truck was parked in the driveway, it was raining and then the lights started flickering without the keys being in the ignition. I tried to move the truck to the inside of the garage and the smoke came out of the hood and from under the dash. I turned the truck off and the engine remained running, we had to call the fire department because it was smoking and the keys were off. The fire department came and removed the battery and said it may be a short when it rained. The truck is in the garage I cant drive it when it rains because water goes in to the truck from the front I can actually see water leaking into the floor. I owned the truck for 3 years and never had this problem until it reached 100,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Waynesboro, VA, USA