general problems of the 2004 Dodge Durango - part 1

Good day I own a precious 04 Dodge Durango I've been maintaining well over the years. But as of late some issues arose with my air bag sensor and oil light flickering on dash when brake at idle. I don't drive too frequently except the normal work schedule mon-fri so I dont go far especially since these problems arose never been in an accident nor intergrated parts.

Blown enegine due to cyclinder misfire and bnding rod caused by faulty cowl panel. This happened when it rained I went to start enegine and it blew.

Vehicle will die without warning you hole driving causing a serious risk for collision. Engine stops running and is very hard to steer or stop with no power.

Blew a hole in the side of the engine block with a failed rod/piston on a slow right turn . . . . Always took meticulous care of the engine. . . 5. 7 hemi should have lasted 250k to 300k miles. . . . It blew at 130k miles.

My 2004 Dodge Durango has the 5. 7 hemi. During heavy rains the engine would start to run rough and the electrical system shut down on me three different times in the middle of driving due to the rain. During this electrical shutdown steering was impossible and I would have to stop the vehicle in the middle of traffic. The vehicle did this to me one time in the middle of turning at an intersection. Fortunately no accident occured. I found that the issue was being caused by a faulty seal at the wiper cowl. This leak later blew my engine as the water leak found it's way into the cylinders and blew a piston rod. I was told that this defect has been reported to Chrysler by hundreds of people.

Has had problems with engine on Durango 4. 7l overheating, I drive 15 minutes to work when its warm outside and its already overheating, ive checked various forums online each one had numerous people complaining about the same issue, with all the people complaining I figured Dodge would find a solution, or figured someone would file a class action suit, but nothing has been done.

The windshield wiper cowling allows water to flow right over the entire engine and right into the intake. My Dodge was sitting for 2 weeks during heavy rains and when I tried cranking it up for the first time, the engine hydrolocked.

Durango slt 5. 7l v8 hemi engine hydro locked and threw a rod while the vehicle was parked. The hydro lock issue is widely reported with the 2004 first generation of the hemi engine. However, Dodge does not acknowledge this manufacturing defect and safety issue.

1. Recall failed to repair air bag failure. Currently - airbags are not functional (dash warning light). 2. At approximately 72,000 miles - vehicle began to show signs of rust through at both rear quarter panels and both rocker panels. By 85000 miles - complete body rust through failure was irreparable - vehicle was maintained exceptionally clean. 3. At 100000 miles - noted by way of mechanic that the engine was 'sludged up' to the point that the valve train was starved of lubrication and subsequently - the engine has encountered what appears to be a total catastrophic failure. Valves, lash adjuster, piston rod or bearings may all be destroyed directly due to poor design and low quality components from fca. There are hundreds (thousands) of similar complaints across multiple media regarding this 'familiar' Dodge engine breakdown. Fca - of course - denies culpability citing poor user maintenance. I have records of all oil changes for the subject vehicle at 3000 mile intervals consistently from the date of purchase (5/2004), I say - 'fca? time to own up to this problem and do the right thing.

Driving at 30mph on city road the Durango lost full power. No power steering, brakes or acceleration with gas. Had to put Durango in neutral and turn key off and back on. Afterwards it was normal again. Very dangerous and scared to drive with family in it.

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. Still every time it rains hard it still happens. I bought this vehicle almost 3 yrs. Ago for 10,000 with 80,000 miles on it. I have warranty and it's about over and no one can tell me what is wrong. So every time I bring it to a repair place I have to pay. This should be a recall. It's a life safety issue. So bascially I cant drive my car in heavy rain.

Recently when rain falls heavily the engine starts sputting & cuts off then engine light comes on. Took it to mechanic & they put the machine on it. It shows nothing is wrong. Put keeps doing it only when heavy rains falls. Finally went online to all the other complaints to Dodge & found out its the cowling. Changed the cowling but its still doing it. Its a Dodge problem but they will not fix their problem & its costing me a lot of money. Dodge needs to do something about this immediately.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While the vehicle was parked, it failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the push rod fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

While entering a highway and accelerating up to speed there was a loud bang, both heard and felt, followed by very rough engine operation. Turned onto the first available side street and stopped the vehicle. While examining the vehicle and looking in through the driver's side front wheel well discovered a hole in the engine block. The crankshaft is visible through the hole.

11/18/15. It was raining hard here in oregon as I was on my way back from taking my girlfriend to the doctors. I was first in line at an intersection. When the light turned green I proceeded. Half way through the intersection, without warning, I heard a terrible repeating bang. My vehicle died and I was able to coast into a near parking lot. I had it towed to my mechanic and he took it apart and had found out the engine was shot. He reported to me, that he has had a few of these Durangos lately with the same problem.

Engine blew. A rod or something blew without warning through the engine case as I was driving at 35 mph on straight road on a town street.

After heavy rains the engine would run rough and then smooth out. Then during one heavy rain I tried to start the vehicle and heard a loud knocking. I brought it to the shop and they determined that it had hydrolocked due to water getting into the intake gasket from the cowl. After two months of agruing with the warranty company and the dealer, the warranty company covered all but 1000 dollars of the engine replacement but the cowl is not replaced. I fear that this will happen again.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would began to shake before suddenly shutting off. The caused of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasion and each time was during a rain storm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. Jft.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling chain sound. In addition, the contact smelled smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower part of the engine block failed due to a hole in the rod. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

When it rains the vehicle starts to "chug". When I approach an intersection/ stop light or attempt to slow down the vehice will cut off. I then have no power and can not restart the vehicle for several minutes. Last week while going to cross the highway in the rain the vehcle cut off in the middle of the road. I was almost hit by oncoming traffic. I have taken it to 2 mechanics and they can not find the problem. It has happened several times over the years but has gotten much worse. I have just been made aware of this site to file a complaint.

After an overnight rainstorm, vehicle was started and driven approximately 1/4 mile when the engine threw a rod through the engine block. We had had issues prior to this of the vehicle not starting after a rain event. It would start after drying out. Thought it was the starter and had the starter replaced twice. I just replaced the engine with a used engine that with parts and labor cost me $4,800. I see that this is a somewhat common issue with this vehicle and wanted to be on record.

The rain she attempted to start the vehicle a loud unknown noise came from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed the engine needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Sr.

Went out to start vehicle in the morning and it would not crank over. Tried several times, it was raining at the time. Left vehicle for a few hours, returned later to start and loud clunk coming from motor. Lifted hood and found intake to be totally covered in water. Water was flowing down windshield and directly over top of motor. Upon inspection connecting rod was broken due to hydro locking. Apparently this is a prominent issue with this model. Engine needs to be replaced.

Tried to start my truck and all I am hearing is loud knocking. No notice of anything being wrong! according to all the research I have done to figure out what the sound is, it is most likely the hydrolock problem that Chrysler is aware of. I am lucky that this did not happen when I was driving , or someone could have gotten seriously hurt or killed . Is that what Chrysler is waiting for before something is done? if we would have known this issue was even possible of happening we may have been able to prevent it by fixing the seal. Now we have a vehicle that looks pretty, but is undrivable, and can't afford to fix it.

Had just fixed the sensors on the truck, put new battery and new tires. Totaling over $1200. Driving through unavoidable puddles on the highway, during a heavy rain in my area of 4. 5 inches. Parked the car in my driveway and went to start it the next morning and heard this very loud grinding. Had the car towed. Diagnosis: engine hydrolock. Apparently Dodge has known of this problem as I see thousands of complaints on youtube and similar sites. A $130 part could've prevented this from happening but we were never notified of the problem. Not sure what to do at this point. Dodge refusing to help and insurance saying it is a known defect so they won't cover it either.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated the vehicle was parked for a prolonged period of time. The contact attempted to restart the vehicles. The engine started to knock violently. The contact immediately shut off the vehicle and it was never restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000. Az.

Rain poured through the wiper cowl and saturated the engine causing it to hydro-lock and blow a rod. This is just one of thousands of complaints about this vehicle. This is obviously a very dangerous manufacturer defect and no one is doing anything about it. Is the government waiting for more people to be killed on the highways due to this? please advise if something is being done about this. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate severely and various warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle with no failure present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the throttle body was serviced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that on another occasion, while parked, the vehicle was not able to start. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,953. Jo.

What can I say. . . Dodge clearly has a design flaw in which water from rain, ect. . . Leaks onto engine and electrical components slowly causing the death of vehicle with a dying motor and electrical problems. Water pours onto engine right down from the windshield. Who designs this crap!!!! I used the best oils and now this is what I have as a rewards from Dodge for my maintenance.

Engine blown!!!! sent to machine shop had it rebuilt lasted 4 months !!! 6500,00 out of my pocket I bought the car for 26,000 cash in 2004. Now I don't have a transportation . I run a fleet maintenance shop and service the truck regularly. Chrysler is doing nothing about it no recall!!! vehicle is at my shop don't want to do nothing with it cause with my luck if I junk it they will come out with a recall : (. Pissedcause all I read about is 5. 7 hemi problems!! they got there money!!!.

I changed the oil in my Durango on may 3 2014. The SUV then sat in the driveway for two weeks, during which it rained almost every day. I went to start the SUV it started fine then I heard a knock then a loud tapping. The engine has sinced locked up and is a paper weight now. This SUV was a daily driver and the two weeks was the longest that it has ever sat without being driven. Until this issue I've had no problem with this SUV. I've since read hundreds of similar cases on this model SUV. What recourse do we have because I'm still making car payments.

5. 7l hemi. Started it up at home and clanging started just like that from the engine without any previous warning. Shut it off and checked around and found pieces of the engine block on the ground. Crawled under it and there is a hole in the block just about the oil pan lip.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the windshield cowl covering was defective and the seal was replaced; however, water was able to penetrate into the engine which required it to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage were 17,000.

I have a 2004 Dodge Durango with a 5. 7 hemi. After a rain I started the vehicle and the engine blew. The Durango has had regular service. When it was parked the day before it was fine and had been driven all day. I looked this up and is a common occurence.

After a rain storm where the 04 Durango was parked slightly downhill I attempted to start the vehicle and heard a horrid sound as if metal parts were flying around in the engine. Looked under the vehicle and found small pieces of metal on the ground. Eventually found a hole in the block and after doing some research online I found that this is a common problem. I called Chrysler and they would not help as the vehicle is out of warranty.