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.
My family and I were getting ready to go on vacation for memorial day. Out of nowhere with absolutely no warning, when attempting to start our Dodge Durango with a 5.7 hemi engine, there was complete catastrophic engine failure. We had driven the vehicle the day before with no issues at all. We have a neighbor who is a certified mechanic come immediately out of his house at the sound and tell us to shut it down and get back because of a risk of fire. He gave us the good neighbor discount to get it completely rebuilt, but that is still over $4000. I think that Dodge should step up and start helping all these poor people out with these repairs, after all America helped them out when they needed it most.
I recently purchased a 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7 V8 limited. 6months ago to be exact. I went on vacation for a week and parked the truck in my family's yard. Coming home from vacation I was informed the truck was started up and family members heard a loud knocking noise. When I arrived to pick up the vehicle I was amazed by the knocking noise and it actually gets louder if you step on the gas. Long story short I now need a new engine. Car has 119,000 miles on it and ran beautifully till this incident. I am now out of a truck and still making payments and I am told Dodge is aware of the problem, but offers no solutions. This is how America's car makers treat their consumers. I along with others feel this is a blackeye to the amreican consmer from Dodge. New or used engines start at $3000 and you still have no promises that you wont have the same problem.I cant understand this engine problem because the car is well maintained.
2004 Dodge Durango 5.7 hemi truck stalled would not restart. Towed vehicle to garage was told engine threw a rod would need a new engine. Truck has 117,000 miles on it well maintained and ran perfect till this.
My 2004 Durango 5.7 hemi was bought in 2003 brand new off of goodwins lot in our town of new castle, in. We had the truck approx. 3 years before we began having problems. Problems like a "ticking" noise, when it rained, the truck would die--in the middle of the road-while driving, which was very dangerous-to myself and other motorists. The oil was changed per every 3 mths-as instructed, but the truck still seemed to run low on oil. Finally, the reason I'm filing this complaint-- 2 wks ago-the truck began "ticking" again--even though it wasn't raining-then made a loud "pop" noise-and died--smoke coming under the hood and oil spurting out from under the truck's body. We took it to a mechanic-he said, "the engine block has a hole in it from a rod that somehow broke loose--the truck looks as if it's been losing oil for some reason"-this problem was from no fault of the owner-I feel upkeep has been done on this truck so it wasn't from negligence". we now have to put a brand new engine in our truck and I have nothing to drive for a month! after reviewing many other complaints about the 2004 Durango--and noting that most, if not all of them have similar dangerous issues wrong with their truck-I feel Dodge should take responsibility for this SUV and recall it--@ least the engine/oil problems. When someone dies in an accident due to the engine "locking" up while driving--Dodge will have a suit on their hands--and I will be a part of it!!
2004 Dodge Durango hemi fatal engine flaw. On Sunday April 17th 2011, I went out to start up my car and the most horrible banging, clanking noises came from the engine, I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic and he stated there was a hole in the engine block and the car would need a new engine.this engine was very well maintained with regular oil changes and had only 76,400 miles on it. I had the 7/70000 warranty. I filed a case with Dodge and was assigned a case manager. "[xxx]" had me get the vehicle towed to my Dodge dealer (at my expense). Then again at my expense the dealer wanted an hour of service to "inspect the engine." ($105) two days later the dealer called saying the district manager of wanted them to inspect the "bottom of the engine" and authorize another 2hrs of labor. The initial "engine inspection" was apparently only the "top of the engine" which was found to be clean with no sludge or signs of neglect. I still had no answer as to why this engine self destructed without any warning. Dodge refused to give me more than $1500 since I was out of warranty and a new "remained" engine would be $7900!! I decided to sell the car for scrap, Dodge does not stand behind their products, a well maintained engine of a$ 40,000 vehicle should not self destruct just outside of warranty and the owner should not be expected to pay for the diagnosis. I was out over $300 and fought with Dodge customer service for over 3weeks. If I had been driving the car when the engine flaw happened the wheels may have locked up and the car could have rolled. There are numerous other complaints about this issue on this sight. Dodge needs to be held accountable for such poor workmanship! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Miller Place, NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph the horn began to sound, the door locks began to unlock and lock. Smoke began to rise from the dashboard, and one of the engine pistons came through the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to her home where it remained parked. The contact noticed there were holes within the engine and the piston casings were shattered. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed they would not honor the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 07V092000 (electrical system: Instrument panel), due to the contacts original dealer being out of business. The failure mileage was 114,050.
2004 Dodge Durango 107,000 miles engine failure without any warning my engine blew a rod, while going 55 mph, I have always kept maintenance up to date, towed it to Dodge dealership and was told I could pay them to look at it and diagnose what was wrong, but that it was probably from oil sludge from not taking care of the car. They have been the ones doing my oil changes for the last year. They told me they know of no problems what so ever with the 04 Durango engines...
Found out that the ticking noise was #7 cylinder connecting rod was bent and hitting the baffle above the crankshaft. It bent when dealer called an told me I had a major repair problem, as I was driving it on highway, the engine began to shake I thought it was a valve problem. Working on filing a complaint with NHTSA dealer told me I need a engine replacement only 147,000 mile oil changes every 3,500 miles there needs to be a immediate recall this is a dangerous occurrence and some one will end up hurt.
I have a 2004 Dodge Durango w/ a 5.7 hemi. Drove this vehicle back and forth to work everyday without any problems. I loved this SUV! it was by far the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. Friends joked that I babied it more than I did my children. I took very good care of this vehicle mechanically and cosmetically. Being an ex-mechanic, I am very aware of the necessity of regular maintenance. I parked the vehicle Friday night and all day sat. Wife went to go do the grocery shopping sun morning and claimed that the engine turned over a little and then there was a thunk noise and wouldn't restart. I went out and tried to start the Durango. On the third try, the engine started. There was a loud clicking noise coming from the engine. It sounded like the bendix was stuck on the starter. I tried tapping on the starter to disengage it to no avail. I replaced the starter with a new one and got the same sound. I called a local mechanic about the problem and he came to my house to hear the problem. When we started the engine, the noise was noticeably louder. After an hour of crawling around under the vehicle it appeared to be an internal engine problem. On further inspection we found a small crack on the drivers side of the block. I can not afford to have the engine replaced even though I am still making payments, insurance, and tags. After all the other research I have done and the hundreds of people I have found with this same problem, I just don't understand why Chrysler hasn't released a recall. I was very lucky that this didn't happen while traveling down the highway. The Durango has approx. 95,000 miles on it. This type of failure should not be happening this early to this amount of any vehicle. Updated 08/23/11
My husband started the Durango and heard a loud clicking sound coming from the engine. He found a puddle of oil underneath and discovered there was a large hole in the oil pan. We had it towed to the dealer and was told that a rod had shot through the oil pan and that our engine would have to be replaced. We have always maintained the oil changes and upkeep. The day before this happened we had driven all over and had no problems. Prior to this there had been two occassions when I was going down the road and the engine just shut down and I couldnt control the steering or brakes but they happened about a year apart and started up immediately. Luckily I wasnt in busy traffic when this occured. I thought it was a fluke because there was never any engine lights on. Even the morning when he discovered the clicking sound there were no dash lights on.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 60 mph, there was a loud bang heard from the outside of the vehicle. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and noticed a substantial amount of oil leaking from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they detected a failed connector rod. The technician stated that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle could not be repaired because the manufacturer discontinued the production of the specific model engine needed for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 78,600. Updated 07/08/11 according to the invoice, the crankshaft was broken and went through the engine block. The engine needed to be replaced. Updated 09/16/11
I've had my 2004 Dodge Durango since 2006, purchase it while living in paducah, ky. Very nice family vehicle I thought, until about 1yr ago, when I discover when it rain hard, or I take truck through a carwash, it shuts off on me. I would be driving and when I turn off on exit or street, it instantly shuts off, which leaves my tail ends hanging out. Thank god I've never been in an accident. I used this truck for personal reasons as well as taking kids back and forth to school. This is so dangerous. I took it to wolfchase Chrysler Dodge, here in memphis 02/2011 about this problem in which I felt was another waste of my money, because chad was so much unhelpful and unconcern. He told me about other problems, in which I already knew I needed brakes. He claims they were unable to find anything. That was the main reason why I finally took it there when I had money. Thinking they would solve my problem. Sad they couldn't tell me what was wrong with my vehicle. I see where there are so many people complaining about this same problem. This has to be a recall!!! help please'. it's so strange that I am having so many problems with my 2004 Durango. I had my oil change Friday 04/22/11 at jiffy lube. On Saturday 04/23/11, I was out driving and my truck start shaking, so I turned onto this lot beside menekine shop, because I thought my tires was coming off when I got out to look, the tires was ok. So, I walked over to the owner and asked could he see what's wrong with my truck. He managed to get it started back up, to pull it under the garage. He checked the oil, which was in there, put it on a machine, which gave him 6 codes, something about a misfire, and something being rich. He continue to check a lot of things and he notice my oil light couldn't be reset, and also stated something about my valve are knocking and that I needed a needed a motor. Omg!!!, when it rains, it pour. I called Chrysler Dodge again, and chad answered the phone. I asked him about the motor. He to.
I went out to start my vehicle, on the morning of March 28, to let it warm up, and when I tried to start the car, it made a horrible noise so I immediately turned the car off. My husband came out and popped the hood to see if what was making the noise, was visible. It wasn't. we called a mechanic and he came to our house to look at the vehicle and after he tried to start it, he immediately turned it off too. He told us he really thought it was the motor and that it had thrown a rod. He told us not to drive it anywhere, which I wouldn't have anyway, considering the noise it was making! we called a wrecker and had it towed to a mechanic. He called us to tell us it definitely was the motor. We have to get a new motor which is going to cost us somewhere in the neighborhood of $4-5,000! we do not have that kind of money!!!! from what I have read on several websites, this isn't the first time this has happened to a 2004 Durango with a 5.7 hemi. We contacted the Dodge dealership where I purchased the vehicle and the literally went all around the subject of how many times this has happened to others and if there was something Chrysler could do to help! they want $6,000 just for a motor! that doesn't include labor! you've got to be kidding me!!! I contacted one place checking on a replacement engine and the gentleman said "you're lucky, most people with that year Durango, have already had to replace their motors 2-3 times!" lucky, are you serious" who could afford to do that 2-3 times??" something needs to be done about this! Chrysler needs to step up and back their name up by taking care of this problem, not just for me, but for everyone who has had the same problem. Please help! thank you in advance for your any assistance you can give.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 65 mph the contact heard a loud noise in the engine and there was an oil spill. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine rod punctured the engine. The report filed to the manufacturer was #20713758. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 70 mph, the contact heard a loud noise relative to something blowing up, he noticed smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and found a hole in the engine. The mechanic stated that the entire engine needed to be replaced. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Dodge Durango 2004, 5.7 hemi engine, I tried to start the car but at the first attempt I just hear a noise but the engine didn't start. At the third time the engine start it, but it was a making a clicking noise that increased with the acceleration of the engine. Before this incident I did not have any issue with my car, I bought it over two years ago. I been doing the services at least every 3,000 miles, but the thing that make me upset is that I was doing the services at dallas Dodge, I may have proof of some of those services. But in the last service I went to a different place, it was a guy that has been working in chops his whole life, and the first thing that he notice when he was changing the oil is that was so dirty. He ask me about how often I was doing the oil, when I told him about every 3,000 miles, at the end he did the comment that they were not changing the oil. Well now I have three different opinions about my engine, and unfortunately I have to replace a engine that goes from 4,750 to 6,700, I have been reading about problems with this engine and it seems like there was many complains about this engine, now the engine and the bad service it make it worse. I know you guys must have hundreds of this messages but really hope you guys can help me with some directions, well at least if this does not help me, it may help somebody else with the same problem.
2004 Dodge Durango hemi 4X4 spits, sputters and shuts down in the rain. It only does this in the rain and dealership has no idea how to fix it. Very dangerous as it's my wife's car that she uses to take our daughter to school everyday. Many complaints online for same problem.
Catastrophic engine failure. Dodge Durango 2004 5.7 hemi engine. Has 84,000 miles. Which is low miles for this type of engine. Drove the SUV the day before and was running fine. No warning lights etc. Next day go out to start it up and hear loud noises coming from engine. Had it towed to the dealer and he said a rod broke. Maintenance was up to date. This shouldn't be happening at 84,000 miles. This is a design flaw or the use of below standards parts. Only option is to replace engine. These cars cost 35,000 dollars they should not be having a major engine failure of this type. This engine needs to be recalled and fixed. People are clearly being sold a defected product.
I have a 2004 Dodge Durango with the hemi 5.7 liter V8. Over the last week it was occasionally hard to start when there was rain, otherwise the vehicle runs fine. Vehicle has had all regular maintenance, is used for light duty only and has had proper weight oil using mobil 1 synthetic at each oil change. I drove the vehicle home Friday night from work, started fine, drove home fine, stopped at a store along the way, no issues starting it after. Upon arriving home I shut it off, with no issues apparent. I did not use the vehicle Saturday. Sunday afternoon I proceed to start the vehicle and the engine suddenly makes a loud clacking noise, followed by a loud bang and stalls. Oil was running down the driveway and the engine has a hole in the block. Vehicle only has 111K miles on it. There were no warning signs before this happened other then the occasional issue to start when it was raining. Repairs estimates have ranged from $5500 to $7000 as the engine is completely ruined. Doing some research online I discovered many owners that have had the exact same thing happen, and most of them have had it happen between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mulliken , MI, USA