2004 Dodge Durango. Consumer states trouble with starting vehicle the consumer had the vehicle towed to a local dealership, where it was discovered a full engine replacement was needed. According to the invoice, the connecting rod was broken, the #3 cylinder was down and there was internal failure.

- Mineral Wells, WV, USA

I bought my Durango at a used dealers. It had 56000 miles one owner, 2010, center column panel over heated and you could smell plastic burning. The radio shut off the air condition controls well actually everything was so hot you had to turn off truck to let that center panel cool down before you could turn them off, the next thing I started hearing a bad shifting noise and it banged really loud like from the rear end I assumed. No matter if you were driving slow or fast the truck would downshift and sounding like a rod or something was going to come through the floor. I have all of the maintenance down when was told but this didn't help at the time the downshifting started it was 90,000 miles, now I am at 93,000 -or 98,000 miles and something is really knocking to me I thought it might have been a fan hitting the radiator but not the case, it also stalls out in the rain and engine wont start until after rain has stopped, it stalls out on sunny days for no reason. You still here a thud noise or it downshifting hard at 15 miles an hour or if you go any speed it continues to down shift shaking the vehicle. The windshield washer button broken off from under the hood the rubber around the hood keeps falling off inside panel lights are shorting out. Whats wrong with this truck good care fantastic vehicle love it but it has issues bad issues. Not drivable 930000#

- Elmore, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that as the engine was started, the vehicle exhibited a loud, abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic but the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The dealer was notified who advised that they would need to replace the engine. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Meadville, PA, USA

I went out on Sunday morning 8/21/2011 after having had my 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7L hemi, that I had parked since Friday. My husband turned the key and there was a click. Tried again and more clicks. Third try was a loud series of clanking and clicking. Had the vehicle hauled to the Dodge dealership in harrison ar. They informed me the motor had blown a rod. Repair would be $5000. I had been by the dealership a month before and inquired about sudden engine dying while driving. My vehicle hass done this seversl times while at any speed with steering loss. Very scary.I have also fulfilled the earlier recall of having the rewiring of all the vehicle. Was very displeased with the service and times it malfunctioned after having the recall serviced. Please inform the proper personel and inform me of further action to take.

- Marshall, AR, USA

I have to replace the engine on my 2004 Dodge Durango. The truck started overheating and I had the thermostat changed, now I can not accelerate, the truck is making a loud rumbling noise. For the first 3 yrs of owning my truck, it worked wonders, it never gave me any problems. And then just one day it overheated, it kept cutting off on my while in idle. I am a single mother of 4 children and now I have not vehicle to get back and forth. Dodge Chrysler needs to do something about the faults in their vehicles and take responsibility.

- Dallas, TX, USA

The vehicle had no warning it shut down on the freeway and stalled in passing lane. Now im being told my motor is seized up. I don't know what to do I don't have thousands of dollars to fork out.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

Vehicle: 2004 Dodge Durango limited with the 5.7L hemi V8 engine. 130,000 miles on vehicle. Driving vehicle at highways speed (50 mph) it suffered a catastrophic engine failure resulting in a hole in the side of the engine block. Rod failure. Connecting rod simply broke in half for no reason. Failure is not the result of neglected maintenance! the maintenance schedule as prescribed in the operators manual was strictly followed using the recommend oil (mobil 1 5-30W). Mechanics summation of cause was "poor quality connecting rod from manufacturer". the internals of the engine showed no wear and was very clean. Replaced engine with used engine cost was over $3000.

- Rutledge, TN, USA

Engine threw a rod and tore a hole in engine block while driving with out warning despite regular oil changes and maintenance.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Wife drove 2004 Durango with 5.7L hemi to work last night, when started it to come home made loud noise. I trailered it home, called mechanic to look at it. He said I had broken rod in engine. Oil&filters changed every 3000 miles. No problems until this. Very upset Dodge will not cover this. Needs new motor!!!!!!!! only 123,000 miles.

- Nichols, IA, USA

2004 Dodge Durango w/5.7 hemi engine. Piston went through the engine when the car was started. I had bought the car with over 60K miles and I put less than 20K on it from the time I purchased until the time the engine went. The car was 15K so we still have a car note on it. I have no vehicle to drive but still making payments. My husband is out of work and we don't have money to replace a malfunctioned engine. This is not normal wear and tear maint. Vehicle looks new and have had all required maint done on a reg. Basis.

- Oh, OH, USA

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

- New Richmond, OH, USA

2004 Dodge Durango limited with 91,855 miles. No prior problems whatsoever. Driving down road, malfunction indicator light came on and started flashing, 30 seconds later the vehicle lost all power and would not restart. It had to be towed to service station, where diagnosis was made. There was a hole in the engine block. This should not have happened to a car of this age with this mileage. They advised the powertrain warranty expired at 70,000 miles. However, many have complained about this same issue and it creates a potentially catastrophic life safety issue. Just filed my complaint with Chrysler today and hope that they do the right thing - unless they don't care if I ever purchase another product from them again!

- Branchville, NJ, USA

I use our 2004 Dodge Durango with 5.7 hemi engine to take our 3 children to school. We have taken great care of this vehicle, maintaining everything! 4 days ago we got into the vehicle to go to the store and at start up the engine made a horrible sound. We stopped trying to start it then tried once again. My husband opened the hood smelled oil and looked underneath the vehicle to find that the engine had thrown a rod and there was a hole in the side of the engine. We had no warning whatsoever. The vehicle made no other sound prior and drove 100% fine the day before. After searching, we have found many people have had this same problem. Now we are in pursuit of any type of justice from this. Our extended vehicle warranty expired 2 months ago. When we called the dealer to see if there was anything they could do for us we were told "no" and were also told we were the 2nd people to call with the same problem with this engine. It doesn't seem to be the Durango alone...but the 5.7 hemi engine between certain years.

- Lincolnton, NC, USA

2004 Dodge Durango 5.7 hemi. 50000 miles. Was running fine. Started it up after work got a loud knocking sound. Went back to dealer found that it was a bent rod. Still under the 7/70 warranty. Took them a day to figure out what it was. But after reading all these comments they should have known right away.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

1. engine light remains lit: Service can see no reason from computer diagnosis. 1A. engine idles rough for several minutes after a rain storm. 2. engine won't start unless gas pedal fully depressed: Then stalls unless idle remains at least 1500 rpms. 3. took to service shop: Diagnosis is cylinder # 7 has no compression and computer shows 8 system faults relating to failure of cylinder # 7. research from internet forums shows this is a common problem and the only solution is to replace the engine at a cost between $4000 and $5000. No guarantees replacement engine will not have same problem.

- Columbus, GA, USA

I have a 2004 Dodge Durango slt with the hemi 5.7 L. it has 127,000 miles on it. We've taking great care of it! the last time that it was drove it was a great ride, then with out warning went started it up there was loud bang!!! and it started shaking. Had someone look at it and it threw a rod!! I had no warning of this. Yes I've had smll problems with it over the years put a new thermostat in it cause of over heating new brakes it died out on me a few times with no reason so I thought it was bad gas so I started put the higher grade in it and that seemed to stop that. But this no warning!!! I have been reading and there is so many complaints on the same year make and model. Dodge needs to do somthing before someone gets hurt ot killed!! I was lucky I hadnt even left my driveway when it happened!! now I am going to be out thousnads of dollars that I dont have to either get this fixed or a new car. I cant afford that I am still paying on this. Until this happened I didnt know all the recalls that has been on this vehicle. I haven't received any. Now I know why I dont have inside lights we unhooked them cause they wouldnt go off. Come on Dodge do somthing before someone get hurt in this vehicle. Take responsiblity & make a recall!! there is 156 postings on here with the same problems how many more before Dodge does something? I am going to post this website and let others know about it I found it on accident lastnight. Something needs to be done now!! I dont know about anyone else but I can not afford to repair this nor buy another car!!

- Belfry, KY, USA

I own a 2004 Dodge Durango, V8, 5.7 with a hemi & a 102,000 miles on it. I am the original owner & have babied this car from the get go. We recently just replaced the ball joints on the front end, tuned it up & was heading to get the tires rotated & balanced for our family spring break vacation. When my husband went out to start it, it made a horrible noise & threw a rod through my engine, intake & oil pan. I am highly disappointed in the money I have put in this car to keep it maintenanced & what I paid for it, to just blow with no warning. After reading numerous complaints about this year & engine, Dodge needs to step up & take responsibility & make a recall. I am now going to be out thousands of dollars on a car I still owe on & my vacation has been ruined & had to be canceled. I am thankful however that I was not driving when this happened with my little boy in the car. Totally disgusted with Dodge for not recalling this engine sooner.

- Columbus, IN, USA

My 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7 L hemi V8 had 134,000 miles. Oil changes were done every 3,000 miles, fluids always checked. I drove the vehicle for most of the day and then parked it in the driveway. The next day I went to start it and it sounded like the battery was dead but made a loud clunking sound. I attempted to jump the battery and without success I had it towed to a mechanic. The mechanic found that the motor seized and would require a rebuilt. The cost would be $6300 for a vehicle that is not even paid off yet. After reading several of the same complaints, I find this to be a defect. Chrysler should take responsibility for selling a faulty product to consumers.

- Sayreville, NJ, USA

Drove the Durango home from work around 8pm the night before. When I got into the vehicle the next morning about 7:30am, heard a load pop noise and then it shut off. When I tried to start it back up it had an awful tapping noise, so I immediately shut the engine back off. This vehicle has about 130,000 miles on it, most being highway miles. I have always serviced according to manufacture recommendations. This is my only means of transportation and I still have 6 payments left on it. Why will Dodge not stand behind their product, as it is obvious by the internet that this is a very big problem. In these bad economic times people can't afford to loose what they have worked so hard to keep. I think I will go to the news media on this to make americans aware not to purchase Dodge products.

- Henderson, NC, USA

After nothing but normal driving experiences, upon attempting to start my 2004 Dodge Durango with a 5.7 L hemi V8, there was a large wrenching sound and the subsequent banging in the timing of the engine. The last time I drove the car it was fine and actually averaged 20 mpg as per usual highway driving. The Dodge service technician later informed me that a valve lifter, rocker arm, and piston had all gone and the vehicle requires a new motor. Since I only have 116,000 miles on it and service it regularly, I find this to be a defect. This feeling is also justified by the fact that I can easily find over 100 postings on vehicle forums related to engine failure at start-up, idle or low speeds, all with similar outcomes to mine. There was no recourse offered by the dealer, who instead offered me an option of a $6500 rebuild or $450 for the car as-is and were too eager to get me into their showroom.

- North Augusta, SC, USA