Two problems related to starter have been reported for the 2004 Dodge Durango. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Dodge Durango based on all problems reported for the 2004 Durango.
The electrical portion started after I first purchased the vehicle. The issue worsened after someone broke into the vehicle. The car wouldn't stay charged, and I ended up needing a tow every other week. My car insurance went up to $550. 00 a month. I was always stranded. The problem was worse in the rain. Sometimes the car would cut off while driving, it did it once on the highway and I saw a semi coming down the highway and I thought I was dead. I got it started and pulled over to the shoulder because I didn't have enough speed to get out the way. Eventually it couldn't' start anymore. I had it sitting for a year as I kept making loan payments. I fixed one thing after the other. . . Thinking it was the problem. . . The car would start and die a few days later. This last time I changed the starter for the third time. A rod was thrown and the engine is locked. I wasn't even driving the vehicle, it started after 3rd starter was installed and a crunch noise sounded a few minutes later while trying to give the battery some juice. I towed it into another shop and they confirmed the engine is gone. I had to pay full coverage insurance because it's financed and a car note for a truck that's gone. I've searched online and Dodge knows and hasn't taken responsibility. Involuntary repossession would be futile because after the fee for repo, towing, storage. . I will owe more than what I have left to pay, $5000. 00 and still not even scrap metal. I've read so many discussion board post, consumer blogs on this model and 'm floored. I guess the complaints are recent because one you get to like 70,00 mile you are toast. I don't drive to work, only on the weekends and I take good care of my truck and now I have nothing but payments and metal that looks pretty on the outside.
2004 Dodge Durango 4x4 w/5. 7 hemi engine. Catastrophic engine failure: all service performed as per manufacturers specifications at an authorized Dodge dealer. Turned the ignition to start the truck and heard a loud noise. Afterward, the ignition would not turn over and the vehicle made a ticking sound. Had the truck towed to the dealer thinking it may be a failed battery. After replacing the battery (the service technician also suspected a battery) the car failed to hold a charge. Upon further inspection on the rack the mechanic identified a significant hole in the engine block and a significant crack in the transmission to engine interface. The mechanic deduced that as an engine component blew, the force of which shorted the battery, the starter and cracked the transmission interface. After removing the battery, the terminal to the negative ground was dislodged, the battery was bulging at the sides, and the engine is dead. Chrysler motor company says they have no prior knowledge of any problems with hemi engines, and given the car is out of warranty. . Sorry nothing they can do. This is a problem that exists and is documented on NHTSA and other public forums. The option presented by Chrysler is $5500 plus labor for a re-manufactured engine. Estimated labor is $1900. The dealer doesn't get much of a break from Chrysler for this engine, but gets all the hassle for the shoddy work the company sells. This is a heavy duty truck, an engine should not die at 125,000 miles.