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.
Rain Stalling Engine - The rain is coming in from the bottom of the front window. Get some putty and put in on the bottom of the window and the hood. I had the problem and now it does work when it rains hard or a car wash
I see that there's several complaints about this is. It is dangerous especially if in traffic and the truck cuts off. It could cause a wreck of fatality. This issue should be fixed by the company. This is pure negligence.
My wife was driving our Durango we had bought not even a year before and it was raining. All of a sudden there was a loud noise and the engine was knocking. When we were able to pull the engine we found that it had sucked moisture into the number 5 cylinder and hydra locked the piston and broke the connecting rod. We were lucky because the piece that broke off hit the oil pan gasket/windage tray and didn't go through the block. We inspected the intake gaskets and the design is so horrible that when a ruler is held up to it there is a gap that can allow water to go through the intake manifold right into the engine. While we were waiting to save money to fix it, it sat outside covered with a tarp and then finally when we got the parts we pulled the intake and it was completely full of water and if any of the valves were open that cylinder was completely full of water also. When we got the engine in and together we put the cowl on and the "seal" wasn't even touching the window in the center. This huge gap allowed water to fall into the engine compartment and pool onto the engine and with their horrible design of intake and the gap in the gasket that wasn't even sealing the intake it allowed water to be sucked in. I called dodge when this happened and they told me that their "master" mechanic had never heard of this problem. I told them to check the internet and do some research because this is happening on almost all 2004 dodge Durango's with the 5.7L hemi in it. Now we got it back together and it will run great when not at an idle but it barely idles then dies. we took it to a shop to diagnose it and they told us that the heads aren't synchronizing. I am at my wits end with this project and wouldn't care except I still owe $3,000 on a vehicle that I cant drive. Maybe if Dodge would admit that they have a problem and fix it then we all wouldn't be here with the same issue.
Had a tune-up on Friday, picked Durango up late afternoon. Next day it rained, it run rough and acted like it was going to shut off at every stop I made- Back to Dealer Monday, they changed all wires, plugs, etc. charged me $5,000 and it still does it every time it rains. Dealer stated there were no complaints regarding this issue--told them I couldn't have only Durango with this in the world. They decided to knock a half dollar size hole in the cowl--they thought "water backing up and falling in engine"--it did NOT correct anything. It is very scary to have a vehicle that acts as if it is going to shut off at every stop you make while it is raining--runs rough and shakes but funny thing is, no engine lights come on I have been back with this issue over a dozen times--have given up!!!
I went to the Dodge dealer and made the complaint and they couldn't figure it out and took it to Midas and another car repair shop and they could figure it out and when I looked at it online it said it was the cowl so I went back to the dodge dealer and told them. They looked at me like I was crazy had to print off what everyone one had complained, so they replaced the rubber under the hood which was 40 dollars not that costly. But still when it rains, it runs rough and like it going to die. This is an accident waiting to happen. This should be a recall. When it first happened I was going to New York. Very scary going through the mountains and it starting raining hard all of the sudden going 70 , drop to 30. trucks on my butt. not a good thing.
When it rains my truck shakes and shut down while I'm driving, its scary and a pain, I'm driving and it cuts off in front of trucks, cars, etc. very scary
- Princess T.,
Detroit, MI, US
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I bought this truck 2 years ago (from the dealer $5000-$6000 cash) and I've kept regular maintenance (oil change, tune-up, had breaks and rotors changed, new battery) up. But about 3 months after driving my 04 Durango it started acting funny putting like it was gonna cut off, I had it put on a diagnostic machine and nothing came up.
It happened again a few days later ( it was then I remembered it was raining the last time it happened and now it was also raining). I called the dealer and asked what he thought.He told me to come and get it checked again. I didn't go back to the dealer as it was to far from my home and I didn't want the car to stall. So I drove it back to the shop and had it checked again on the diagnostic machine, nothing!!! Okay so I google it and see others saying they're having this issue and can't find the problem! So now I'm thinking Dodge has an unaddressed issue.So now I have to try to avoid driving while it's raining? In an ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE??? REALLY???!!! DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS!!!!
Living in Los Angeles, we rarely get heavy rain storms, but each time it rains heavy, I have had serious issues with the truck. The radio will play without the key. Rain leaks thru the sunroof and water gets down under the hood and shorts out the computer. I have spent $$$ each time this happens and I believe it is a serious malfunction with this year/model.
When it rains, my truck shakes and dies at idle or when stopped. It has only went completely dead on me once, but when it rains it shakes like a lawn mower, and sputters. I took it to the shop yesterday, and the mechanic could not find anything wrong with it, and wanted to keep it over night. He could not believe that it only happens in the rain, and that the check engine light does not come on. I knew he would not be able to fix a problem he could not find, plus I had children that needed to be picked up, so I took Christine home. This time it only cost me a days work, and $70 for a diagnostics test.
This is my 2nd Dodge Durango, the first one, the transmission went bad, and this one, only runs when it is dry. HELP!!
Standard story. Bought from a Dodge dealer who said they made sure all factory recall issues were taken care of. It died when I took it to a carwash, but not so bad in the rain....unless I plow through the puddles (I will never really grow up!). My plan is to just use silicone or any sealer and redirect the flow of the water.
I purchased my Durango around Oct 2011 and I fell in love, but after a couple of months I realized it stalls every time it rained and because I am in the military I have to travel a lot so this was very inconvenient. One afternoon July 2012, I was traveling on a two lane road while it was raining and of course the truck started acting up. After about 15 minutes of driving, it did its final stall and I lost control of the vehicle and my truck was totaled. This could have been worse but wasn't and I'm grateful for that but prior to this I did take the truck in and was told they couldn't find anything wrong.
I did not complain when it happened because my medical bills are being handled but I would like something to come from my incident and this complaint.
Our Durango has stalled in the car wash twice and now once during a heavy rain. It normally starts up again and runs rough. It has never left us stranded, however no one seems to know what the fix is.
engine locked up at 73,220 miles,tore down engine firing order #7 rod was broken.contacted chrysler they would not stand behind their product,this is in my opinion a factory defect,that should be taken care of by chrysler corp.This not only happened to me but a lot of other dodge hemi owners also.Check out 2004 dodge durango complaints.fowler wva.
I purchased my used 2004 Dodge Durango Hemi in February of 2011. I first noticed the problem when I took my car through a self serve car wash and it stalled as I put it in drive to leave. It started right up and I didn't have any problems until my husband and I went through another car wash and my durango stalled again. This time my husband had to literally push the vehicle out of the car wash. No more car washes for me. I didn't have any further problems until August 2011 when it stalled in the middle of a heavy down pour on a major interstate during rush hour. I noticed how heavy the truck started to feel, that is when I realized the truck was no longer running and had to coast into the middle median. After calling AAA a tow truck came and towed me and my vehicle home. It started right up after all of that. To this day anytime it rains hard and I am out and about it will stall. I just coast to the safest spot and wait for the rains to cease. I am afraid to take it to a dealer for fear of being ripped off of money I don't have. This is not only dangerous, but embarrassing as well. I have to plan my day based on the rain, I am constantly looking out the window, at the clock and praying that I get off before the rain starts so I can make it home. If there is anyone out there who is having the same problem with driving in the rain and have had your vehicle repaired, please let me know what you did. Thank you!
Every time it rains hard the truck has idle issues it is as if it wants to shut off. Then the check engine light comes on or the electronic body throttle light comes on.Tried to tape up the large electrical connector under the hood, no help.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I see that there's several complaints about this is. It is dangerous especially if in traffic and the truck cuts off. It could cause a wreck of fatality. This issue should be fixed by the company. This is pure negligence.
- Robin W., Tuscaloosa, US