Battery Cable problems of the 2004 Dodge Durango

Any and all times the battery cables are removed from the battery for routine maintenance on a 2004 Dodge Durango, the airbag light illuminates after reconnection of the battery. The airbag system becomes inoperative and must be recalibrated by a dealer at a cost in excess of $100. This is the 2nd time this has occurred.

Bought this 04 Durango with a hemi, in 2010. It has always had a problem with running rough or stalling after/during rain. Something is getting wet? dealership tried to fix it a couple of times. It works fine after it dries. Also there was a recall in 2004 for positive battery cable failure possibly causing fire. This vehicle was taken in to have the repair for this recall (#d40) in 2007. The same battery cable is now failing and is in the shop for repair. The battery cables are not available after market so they have been ordered from Dodge. There is no provision in the recall to repair when the thing fails even after it was fixed. It started having all kinds of electrical issues so I brought it to repair shop (not dealership). Dealership says they can't do anything. I did call daimler/Chrysler recall center and they were very nice, told me to send in all the information to them for possible reimbursement. The recall is good for 10 years, and I believe it should be investigated further. This is 9 years later, but evidently the recall repair has failed.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights started flashing as the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that she had problems starting the vehicle before the failure occurred therefore, she had to jump started the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the battery cable shorted out, melting the egr tube due to the cluster being program incorrectly. As a result, the battery cable and the egr tube needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04v578000 (electrical system:battery:cables). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 104,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that there was a fire under the hood caused by a battery cable. The failure was identical to NHTSA campaign id number 04v578000 (electrical system:battery:cables) and safety recall number d40 issued by daimler Chrysler. The vehicle was repaired through an insurance claim. Daimler Chrysler sent an independent claims adjuster, who took a report of the incident. On December 17, 2007, the manufacturer sent the contact a response via mail that denied claim for any sort of repair reimbursement for the recall. The total estimated cost in damages was $1,870 plus towing. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 49,800 and current mileage was 49,900. Updated 01/29/08.

: the contact stated while driving 75 mph on the highway, the engine stalled without warning followed by a loss of all vehicle power. Upon further inspection, the contact moved the battery cables of the battery, and the engine restarted. The manufacturer was alerted.

On September 24, 2004 the battery was replaced. On December 29, 2004 the battery cable was rerouted per recall. On may 6, 2005 the vehicle overheated, the following parts were replaced the hub/drive fan, thermostat, water pump, and the spark plugs. On may 16, 2005 overheated the radiator had to be replaced. On August 12, 2005 the vehicle overheated. The following parts were replaced the heads, valves, camshaft,and sprocket. On October 18, 2005 the vehicle had squeaky brakes, brake pads replaced and rotors turned. The right rear axle leaked and needed to be replaced. On January 17, 2006 the radio cut in and out, dashboard controls were flickering on and off. No problems were found. Also, I asked for the brakes to be checked for the same type of vibration. Stated there was no safety issue, but rotors needed to be replaced. On January 20, 2006 the vehicle was again brought to the dealer for the radio, dashboard, and stalling. The car was kept for two days and returned without any solution. On s January 22, 2006 again my vehicle stalled at a traffic light. On January 24, 2006 was again brought in to the dealer. I spoke with the service manager on January 25, 2006 and he told me that Chrysler said static electricity from the seat caused the problem. He was then advised to spray the seats with something to eliminate the static electricity. The car was to be delivered to me by an employee of the dealer, when the gentlemen arrived he told me that the car radio started cutting in and out, and the dash board went crazy, he then left with the loaner car and I proceeded to call the dealership, driver came back to pick up my car once again to return to the dealership. When he tried to start the vehicle it would not start, a technician was sent to my home to replace the battery. The battery was replaced, an vehicle was off to the dealership.

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds, while applying brake pressure the vehicle lurched forward and struck an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle sustained damage to the front end. A police report was taken. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. Upon inspection, the dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for further evaluation. The contact indicated the crash was caused by mechanical failure in the vehicle. The contact was never notified of the mechanical failure. Also, the contact did not receive NHTSA recalls o4v0120000 concerning vehicle speed cables; o3v528000 concerning electrical system wiring , and o4v578000 regarding battery cables. The contact felt aforementioned recall failures could have caused the accident.

Recall campaign: the consumer was unable to had the d40 safety recall done due to lack of parts.