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.
2004 Dodge Durango. Consumer writes in regards to electrical issues with vehicle. The consumer stated had a recall for airbags and the instrument cluster. The consumer stated battery discharged in a very short period of time after the ignition switch was moved to the of position. The consumer stated it was over 2 years and the recall repairs still had not been completed.
2004 Dodge Durango. Consumer states problems with interior lights not turning off. The consumer noticed the interior of the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to the scene and put the fire out. The consumer discovered a recall had been issued regarding the instrument panel which could catch fire. She then contacted Chrysler and they informed her that what she described sounded like the previous recall. After an investigation was done, the consumer received a letter from Chrysler stating they were denying her claim due to failure to have the recall work performed. The consumer stated she never received any recall notices in the mail. The insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed all interior lights were illuminated. The contact then started the vehicle and the dashboard caught on fire. The contact confirmed the failure had occurred on four different occasions. On the fourth incident, the engine blew out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer all four times in regards to the failure. The dealer replaced the dashboard cluster on each occasion. The VIN was not available. The approximate current and failure mileages were 109,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. In September 2009 she noticed smoke coming from the electrical instrument panel. A local mechanic stated that the failure was caused by plastic within the cluster panel. The dealer stated that the failure was repaired per recall 07V092000 electrical system: Instrument panel; however, when the vehicle was towed to the dealer they found that the recall was not repaired. After the dealer repaired the instrument cluster the horn and seat belt failed to operate normally. The dealer stated that failure was not caused by the recall repair; therefore, they are not responsible. The failure and the current mileage were not available. Updated 12/30/09 also when the consumer unlocked the vehicle manually, the alarm goes off and will not stop. Updated 12/30/09
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving 8 mph it stalled and shut off. The electrical instrument panel displayed a muffler sign and the lights shut off; however, the dealer stated that it was not related to recall 07V092000, electrical system, instrument panel. The electrical instrument panel was replaced on three occasions. The dealer stated that the replacements were considered as good will repairs. The dealer also advised them to have the vehicle diagnosed by a dealer in the state. The manufacturer and the state attorney general have been notified; however, the manufacturer has no record of the complaint. The failure mileage was 3 and the current mileage ia 86,384. The dealer diagnosed the failure and stated there were other components that caused the failure including the battery. The steering wheel also locked and the vehicle shut off. In Jan 09 another dealer stated the failure was not related to the instrument panel; however, the diagnostic machine indicated that it was. The consumer stated the vehicle overheats at times. It may occur at anytime whether the vehicle is in idle or while driving. Also, if the doors are opened for more than 5 minutes the vehicle will not start. In order to get the vehicle to start, a jumper cable must be used. The consumer was informed recall 07V092000 did not apply to her vehicle. Updated 08/07/09. Updated 8/18/09 the vehicle stalled on the highway, during rainy conditions. Updated 08/21/09.
- Maple Grove, MN, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the interior lights and instrument panel lights illuminated intermittently. She received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel) and called the dealer to schedule an appointment for June 30, 2008. The contact was unable to keep the appointment; therefore, it was rescheduled for July 7, 2008. Once at the dealer, she was informed that the computers were down and they would need to reschedule for another day. The new appointment was made for July 14, 2008. The failure mileage was 58,000 and current mileage was 62,765.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 30 mph with the air conditioning activated, smoke appeared from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The interior dome light illuminated and would not dim. The contact pulled off the road and she and her children exited the vehicle right before it caught fire. The fire department and state patrol were called to the scene and filed an incident report. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The fire chief stated that the failure was related to the electrical system: Instrument panel. There were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were unknown.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving at an unknown speed, the interior roof light illuminated on its own and would not shut off. The contact exited the vehicle and, approximately 30 minutes later, the vehicle caught fire on the driver's side of the instrument panel. He received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel) six months after the fire occurred. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 61,000.
2004 Dodge Durango with a recall repair. Consumer states that after the recall work was done the mechanic informed her the driver door was difficult to open. She told him not to fix it, and that there was nothing wrong with it. When the consumer retrieved her keys, she soon discovered she could not open the door with the keys or by using the keyless entry. The consumer stated there were no lights on the control panel. The consumer stated the dealer damaged her truck while they were fixing the recall for the instrument panel. The dealer did admit they had to take the instrument panel apart to replace a part.
I have been getting a continuous all the gauges on the dash will start fluxuating like the computer is resetting it self while driving down the road. Also the air bag system shows a malfunction during the same time the gauges flux. I have taken it to the dealer and they say they can't do anything unless it happens while it's hooked up to the computer to read it while it happens. The recall for the instrument panel has been completed and the problem seemed to go away for a couple of weeks but now it doing the same thing again. Sort of getting concerned if there is an electrical problem will the vehicle catch on fire.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The air bag light remains illuminated on the instrument panel. Since the vehicle was purchased, it has been to the dealer at least ten times concerning this failure. NHTSA campaign id number 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel) was referenced. The current mileage was 52,600 and failure mileage was 1.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. After stopping the vehicle, the cabin lights illuminated and would not dim. There were no warning indicators present. The contact smelled smoke inside the passenger compartment and drove the vehicle to her residence. The weather was not a factor. In June of 2007, the recall repair was performed for NHTSA campaign id number 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel). After the repair was made, the check engine light remained illuminated, the windshield wipers did not work, the door open chime would not sound, and the key would not lock and unlock the doors. The current mileage was 82,397 and failure mileage was 77,000.
2004 Dodge Durango recall on the instrument panel. After recall was repaired the vehicle would not start and the cd player would not work and was making a noise. Dealer told her that they would not be responsible for the cd player replacement. The consumer took the vehicle to another dealership where it was determined that the instrument cluster reprogram was not properly done. The dealer put in a new instrument cluster panel and the cd player worked.
I purchased a 2004 Durango in Nov of 2006. I had no real problems with vehicle until recently. Took vehicle in to dealership for recall of instrument panel. Dealership took care of this and 2 weeks later temperature gauge started reading hotter then usual. Contacted dealership who then stated unrelated. Recently went on vacation and 300 miles from home vehicle temp gauge read hot. Pulled off interstate to nearest service station. No dealership near here. Mechanic found no codes to indicate problem. Replaced water pump, thermostat, hoses, check radiator, new fluids, bill total 377 dollars. 3 miles later car still trying to over heat. Towed to va for 1,000 dollars now at dealership. Car also seems to sometimes not be in gear when placed in drive and you try to accelerate engine just revs. At dealership now we shall see what they say.
The check engine light in the vehicle keeps coming on for no reason. I have taken vehicle to dealer several times to be fixed, but it always comes back on. I have received a notice that there is a recall on the instrument cluster that may result in fire, but I don't want to take it in again, would be the fifth time, just to have the light keep coming on.
05/25/07 daimler Chrysler safety recall G07- test and reprograms instrument cluster. Customer wants reimbursement for payments made for repairs* the consumer has provided a copy of the invoice repair and the recall notice for the vehicle. The dealer informed the consumer that only a circuit for the dome light was included in the recall.
My vehicle underwent inspection for safety recall #G07. It was determined by the dealership that the electronic cluster in my 2004 Dodge Durango had to be replaced, due to fire hazard. When they pulled the old cluster, an electrical surge damaged the electrical components in the driver's side door of my vehicle. The dealership replaced the cluster, and told me that the driver's side door had been damaged when they pulled the old cluster. They instructed me to pick up my vehicle and told me that it was drivable. They ordered a part to repair the door and told me they would repair it. When I picked up my vehicle, I was not able to open the door from the outside or the inside. This was on June 14th. I have not been able to enter or exit my car via the driver's side door for over 1 week. This is a safety issue, and the vehicle should not have been returned to me as "drivable". I contacted the dealership, and asked for a rental until the issue with the door is resolved. They informed me that Chrysler had to approve the rental, and I would have to pay the rental fees myself. The dealership created a safety hazard in my vehicle, and returned it to me as drivable, and they are going to make me pay for a rental car. The drivers side door on my vehicle has been locked for 9 days - I have been climbing through the passenger side of the vehicle, for 9 days.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The vehicle was taken to the dealer due to NHTSA recall # 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel). The dealer stated that the instrument panel wires were burned. The dealer performed the recall repair and stated that the keyless entry no longer worked and they would not repair the failure. The contact stated that the keyless entry worked properly before the vehicle was serviced for the recall. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 73,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact received recall notice# 07V092000, electrical system: Instrument panel. The dealer stated that the parts would not be available until the end of may or the beginning of June. There is one Dodge dealer located near his residence. The current and failure mileage were 71000. The engine size is not available. There are no failures at this time.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. After performing a recall repair, the technician stated that the vehicle was safe for the contact to drive. While traveling to Pennsylvania at 45 mph, the vehicle caught fire and the contact and her family were locked inside the vehicle as the flames continued to spread. The vehicle is included in recall # 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel) and is also known as safety recall GO7 regarding the instrument panel. Daimler Chrysler stated that she needs to get a rental car and to bring the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was unable to help. The contact spoke with the corporation fourteen times and continually claimed that they could not help. Furthermore, she would have to pay for the rental car that was suggested. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 37,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kodiak, AK, USA