So this morning I walk out to my durango, turn the key, it starts up but it's ridiculously loud then KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK BOOOOM! Oil is pouring out of it, chunks of rusted metal are flying out the bottom and my durango is dead with a giant hole in one side of its engine. What the hell happened here?! Then I jump on google and find your page with 80-some-odd complaints of the same problem already on here and the depressing news that dodge/chrysler won't do a damn thing about it. Awesome. I can't afford a new engine. Or a new car. Or to be out of work because of lack of car. Thank god this happened in my driveway and not on the road with my babies in the car. And thanks Dodge for screwing me royally.

Sincerely, former Dodge fan

Well, I'm the latest chump that is the victim of the 2004 Dodge Durango hydrolock problem. For those not in the know - there is a defect in the engine cowl seals up at the base of the windshield that allows rain water coming down the windshield to flow onto the engine block. Eventually, this allows water to enter into the cylinders through the air intake manifold. Once the water is in there, the condition is set for total engine destruction.

It usually occurs when after you have the truck parked outside for awhile and there is rain (ours was at an outdoor parking lot in Seattle). When you go to start your truck, the piston cannot compress the water and the engine is effectively seized (hydrolock). The best way to get the engine to turn over is to remove all spark plugs and manually turn the engine. This will push out the liquids in the cylinder(s). Problem is that often the damage has already been done to the rods when the truck was still operating (prior to the full-blown hydrolock). The rods fail and often punch holes in the engine block.

You get no warning that this condition is happening. You just go to start your truck one day and 'boom' game over. Now we have an engine that is toast thanks to a design defect that Dodge refuses to warn owners about, or fix, or stand behind its product. So now salvaging what was otherwise a perfectly good truck for parts. Will NEVER buy another Dodge product as a matter of principle. Thank you Dodge, Daimler Chrysler for sticking it to the public.....

If you have a 2004 Durango - sell it quick. Or better yet, trade it in at your local Dodge dealer and let them try to sell that piece of crap.

Fool me once, shame on you..........

A fool won't get fooled again (G.W. Bush)

Both my father-in-law and my wife's grandfather worked for and retired with Chrysler. We always bought American made. We always thought we would continue to buy Chrysler vehicles due to our family loyalty.

The engine failed @ 94k miles and we always took great care of our Durango. Bottom line, Chrysler said we were out of warranty and did nothing to help us replace the engine. We had to wait 6 months to have a short block arrive so we could fix the Durango. In the meantime we bought, for the first time a "foreign vehicle", we spent 40k on a new van and it was NOT a Chrysler product. We would have 100% bought another Chrysler van-truck or car, but the fact that Chrysler turned their back on us and did not fix the issue with their vehicle due to a design flaw, we did not and do not trust them to do the right thing.

Truly sad, and I took a big financial loss when the company should have stood behind their product. It is a known issue with the 2004 Durango and the company flat out failed us.

While trying to re sell the Durango it was interesting that everyone, including the person that bought it knew about the issue with the 2004 Durango .

We are happy with our new vehicle and sad to say it is not a Chrysler!

Not sure where to start .very upset my dodge Durango 2004 5.7 hemi engine was working just fine. never had a problem. had my oil change done on schedule, next thing I know my car will not start. all light on had to get it towed now there telling me I need a new engine at the dodge dealer. that's going to cost me 6,200 dollars they said its is catastrophic not worth fixing. its a shame my car only has 92454 miles in great condition everything else body included looks brand new well taken care of for 10 years old car. not sure if a new engine is worth it. I don't want it happening to me again. Dealer is saying they found hole in bottom of engine block requires engine. not sure at the moment what to do has any one contacted a lawyer please respond thank you Annette.

I bought my 2004 Dodge Durango in 2010, and it ran great for a year. One day I went out side to start it for work after a bad thunderstorm the night before, and it just started knocking. It started smoking and shaking, and all the oil from the fresh oil change that I had just had done two days prior poured onto the driveway. Once I had the vehicle towed to the repair shop, I was told that I would need a new engine because water had gotten into the head. It cost $4,300 to fix, with a one year warranty on the engine. I love my Durango, so I paid the price and hoped it work.

I purchased a 2004 Dodge Durango from a well known dealer. I was told that I was the third owner with only 130K miles on the vehicle. It was running fine, maintaining the routine oil changes and all to the vehicle.

On the way to church I was on the highway and went to accelerate and I felt a pop and the engine started making a loud noise. The truck started smoking and someone helped me and noticed that there was oil leaking. I later found out that a rod pierced my engine and put a hole in it. I now have to get a new engine and I cannot afford it. I'm in college, starting a business as a hairdresser and have four children to support. My credit isn't that great due to divorce and financing a new vehicle is definitely out of the question. I've contacted Dodge and was told that they cannot do anything about this. There needs to be some sort of lawsuit or something because this just isn't fair.

I at least thought that my truck would last me for 4-6 years. I've already had a new alternator put on and battery. The front wheel alignment was replaced due to an accident that wasn't my fault. Other than that, my truck was riding just fine and I would get so many compliments on how smooth the ride is. Never had any engine knocking or anything. This is crazy!

We bought this vehicle used (1 previous owner) and were quite happy with it for a good while. Now, not so much. It threw a rod, while driving on the interstate at 72mph, loaded down with family and camping gear at 4 a.m. in November. I suppose you can guess just HOW THRILLED we were to have this happen. Especially as a family of 4 living on limited income due disability that always made sure the car came first (oil changes, fluid levels, snazzy tires, etc). For 6 long, LONG months we've been saving what we can to get the engine replaced. We're barely halfway there. Apparently the price has shot up for used 5.7L Hemi engines, I'm guessing due to a massive string of failures due to water leakage on intake valves. But Dodge knows this...they HAVE to know this. Sadly, "investigations" by Dodge have found issues with other things, but not this. Funny considering 3 Dodge technicians we've spoken to all immediately said the leakage and water were the problem. I'm so unbelievably disappointed. A simple recall, or notification, for a $400 fix would have been all that was needed. Now we sit here with a hunk of junk (that we're making payments on to the tune of $8k) in the yard that is going to cost $4k to fix. There's another 6 months of savings for us. Shameful Dodge...just shameful.

For about a 2 years I'd been having an issue where during heavy rains (or after a car wash) my Durango would run roughly. I figured it was due to electrical wiring issues since I'd had another car do this in the past and since it cleared up quickly it wasn't that big of an issue. Two nights ago I drove home from work and parked my Durango on the street. Overnight we had a fairly heavy rain storm. When I went out to start it in the morning I heard what sounded like a bunch of metal parts in a clothes dryer - not good. Turns out my intake had been leaking and water had entered one of my cylinders. When I started the car it snapped a rod instantly. It's on the way to an engine replacement shop right now.

Unbelievable that Dodge has not addressed this complaint!!! I only had 85,000 miles on the vehicle. At this point I'm just glad it didn't happen when I was driving from the west coast to the east coast a couple winters ago.

Bought my Dodge Durango Limited 5.7 HEMI new in 2004. My wife was the main driver for several years. Vehicle always ran rough and tried to die in heavy rain and in car washes. Every visit to various dealers and private mechanics always showed misfire in cylinder 2 but no explanation why. At 124,000 miles started knocking and died.

I made numerous calls to Chrysler but of course they acknowledged no problems. I replaced it with another HEMI that had 60,000 miles. Still had the rain and car wash problem. Two years and 21,000 miles later same problem.

This was not my first Dodge product but it is my last. I cannot believe that Chrysler still refuses to acknowledge this problem. I have gone back to GMC (I drove them when I was younger). I now have an Acadia in my driveway and a useless Durango in my yard.

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT. A good attorney could have a field day with this.

I have a ten year service history. Dealer was conveniently located and gave free oil changes for life. Car never went over 3500 miles between changes. Driving down the interstate with no stress on engine and kaboom! Engine still running but shaking out of balance and burnt oil smoke coming from engine compartment. Got it pulled over to shoulder of I95 and had a look. Motor oil all underneath car and draining onto ground. Tracing one of the leaks back up to inverted dent and rupture to oil pan. Yep, worst case scenario, threw a rod somewhere on passenger side. AAA towed to roadside shop in Stafford. While it's there, I am seeing this link and realizing that I may be one of the lucky ones who got over 135K miles before my Hemi disintegrated. Anyone need a perfectly good rolling chassis? Look for mine on Craigslist. I am headed for a Toyota dealership.

I'm 20 years old with a baby girl on the way and i had just proposed the to my girl friend with a ring on CHRISTMAS. My pockets are empty as can be. i go to start my dodge after heavy rain to go pay money for something else that broke and to my surprise heard something awful. my piston rod had snapped leaving me in shock. i go to google the problem to look for a recall and before i could finish typing durango i found a slew of complaints for the same default with not one case of settlement. I've never felt so violated.

IF YOUR READING THIS NOW AND YOU'VE HAD THE SAME INCIDENT OCCUR LET YOU VOICE BE HEARD OR YOUR JUST AS WRONG AS DODGE . (I never write reviews or complaints but this is too unjust)

2004 DODGE DURANGO 5.7 HEMI,BOUGHT IN 2006 WITH 39000 MILES,ON 1/12/2014 DROVE APPROX 5 MILES TO CHURCH,RAN PERFECT AS IT ALWAYS HAS.LEFT CHURCH DROVE 2 MILES WITH CRUISE ON AT 60MPH AND BAM,THOUGHT I HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT,I ACTUALLY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF,GOT OUT INSTEAD OF A FLAT, SAW OIL ON THE BLACK TOP,LOOKED OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND SAW A HUGH HOLE IN THE BLOCK,GLAD I WENT TO CHURCH,MY WIFE TELLS ME I USED SOME WORDS SHE HADN'T HEARD ME SAY IN A LONGTIME,I FOUND A USED ENGINE ON E-BAY WITH 31000 MILES.WITH THE HELP OF MY SON HE AND I REMOVED AND REPLACED ENGINE,WITH NO LABOR STILL OVER 3000.00 TO REPAIR,I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER. WAS DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND FINDING OUT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY HEMI DURANGO OWNERS,I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. THIS WILL BE MY LAST ONE,IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT RAIN WATER,YES RAIN WATER LEAKS UNDER THE HOOD AND IS DRAWN IN THE ENGINE THOUGH THE THROTTLE BODY,AND FILLS A CYLINDER WITH WATER,AND BREAKS A CONNECTING ROD.

About 2 weeks ago after a heavy downpour, went to start it and heard a loud clunking noise. It started after the 3rd try but was making a tapping noise. Took it to 2 auto mechanics the next day. Neither had an explanation other than it sounded like a take off valve? (Can't remember the exact term) but both had said to add an additive to my oil and run for about a week, if clicking didn't go away add a 2nd additive. If that didn't work bring it in. We'll within 3 days of adding the 2nd treatment I was driving home from work traveling about 65mph then bam, sounded like something fell out from underneath then this horribly loud tapping noise!!!!! Pulled over and after waiting for a tow truck for over 3 hrs. , tow truck driver laid underneath to hook up the chains and said this is bad there's a hole in your engine an it's leaking oil!!!! I could have been is a serious accident and from what I've read No one is doing anything about this serious issue? I bought this truck used not even 2 years ago and it only has a little under 79,000 miles on it. I am so upset and angry!! Thanks Chrysler for allowing me to experience the worst situation in owning a vehicle! I do not have $5000 to replace the engine nor do I have the money to buy another car. I'm screwed!

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE HEMI 5.7L ENGINE* I have maintained my 2004 Dodge Durango immaculately, mechanically and physically. I purchased my Durango in 2006 from a Dealer with 36K miles on it. In 2010 with 155,000 miles on it, the push rod broke when I was on my way to the office. The truck was sitting in my driveway from the night before and when I went to start the engine, it made a loud popping noise and engine shutdown.

I had the vehicle towed to a shop where it was confirmed the push rod had broken, oil changed on regular basis, etc.. I had the engine replaced in Nov 2010 with another Dodge Hemi 5.7 L Hemi engine. Over 3 years later guess what????????? The replaced Dodge Hemi engine blew on me in the same driveway 3 years later December 5, 2013.

I am posting this note to other owners to steer clear of replacing the engine as it will happen again, it is not a matter of if, BUT when. As of December 2013 my Dodge has been sitting at the shop I had it towed to and I refuse to buy another engine. One consistent issue which I have read from the other complaints is that the engine would hard idle (act like it would stall) during heavy rain storms. I am pissed because I have a excellent conditioned vehicle appearance and mechanically I am out of a vehicle. Fortunately/Unfortunately the vehicle is paid for.

I am going to lodge another complaint with the NHTSA. It is unbelievable so many people have the exact same issue with this engine. How can we get Chrysler/Dodge to own this problem and make its owners of its Dodge Durango's whole for fixing this recurring problem. I am a perfect example of replacing the engine in this vehicle once, and 3 years later the EXACT issue has occurred again!!!!!!!!!

This is a known problem to Chrysler. It is not responded to because the engines typically fail once the warranty has expired. No longer their problem.

The plastic intake is the culprit in this example. Even if Chrysler would have communicated this problem out to their dealerships, this would have helped me avoid what I experienced. I had my Durango in 4 times trying to fix the symptoms of what was coming...water getting into the intake.

This problem was resolved by Chrysler in later models, but they sure don't acknowledge it for the earlier models.

Update from Nov 13, 2013: I had to decide what to do, replace the engine or scrap this vehicle and buy something else. This was not an easy decision to make. I do like the Durango. I had taken good care of this vehicle and I know what I have. I decided to keep it and have the engine replaced. The cost of any thing new or used would not be a small purchase...

Once this was decided, new choices needed to be made. The EOM engine components are adequate but not ideal. The components are all (what I call pot metal) low end molded metal parts...basically a throw away engine. The rods and pistons are assembled with a pressed in pin. It is not designed to be removed or replaced. All new components are required. So I upgraded...for a couple of hundred dollars more I got forged rods and pistons. That takes things to the next level...it needs to be balanced.

I have it back and can tell I have something more under the hood. I have yet to explore the computer programming for different tuning options. I am taking things slowly and breaking in the engine. So far so good and I am pleased with the outcome.

I wanted to tell this story so that perhaps other Durango owners can avoid this experience. This could have been avoided if Chrysler had even just take the step of communicating this issue to their dealerships. I would have remained a loyal and happy customer...