15 problems related to transfer case 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 transfer case randomly shifts into 4 wheel lock and even 4-lo. This happens even when driving. I currently only drive on city streets as I am concerned that it will cause any accident or damage the vehicle if it shifts into 4-lo at higher speeds. The transfer case is currently stuck in 4 wheel lock, which makes it very hard to turn. I have read in forums that most people disconnect their transfer case motor, losing functionality but making the truck safer. I cannot disconnect the transfer care motor while it is stuck in 4 when lock. Dodge should be held responsible and forced to fix all these vehicles.
The 4wheel/awd vehicles will self engage transfer case causing equipment malfunction or serious bodily injury do to possibly vehicles crash do to equipment malfunction it needs to be addressed by Chrysler but the refuse to my option there for would cause a massive recall in numerous years that would cause the company a large financial back set this issue needs to be addressed before it takes lives of it hasn't already search the web for this issue there's numerous sites with forums regarding this exact issue numerous vehicles.
Truck switches to 4wd on its own and does not allow me to switch back to regular awd. The "service 4wd" light comes on. Mechanics have indicated the transfer case shift motor may need to be replaced; but, none are available. Also, there is no guarantee that would fix the dangerous problem of switching to 4wd.
Key fhob's have not been working for a while. Replace battery still not working. Now my shift motor on the transfer case is randomly shifting and locking in 4wd high. This happens while driving down the road. It happens while parked in the parking lot then when you go to drive hard to turn or get out of 4wd. When it locks in 4wd it is nearly impossible to back up. It doesn't seem to matter whether you're parked driving on city streets or on the highway. However, when it happen it can lead to inability to steer and control the vehicle. This is very dangerous and can also lead to substantial costly repairs from being in 4wd and not on the correct surface. Reviewing many on-line forums I'm finding that there are several others that are experiencing the same issue. Although there have been many attempt to correct the problem there seems to be an unwillingness to help or diagnose the issue. Many repairs have been done and has not resolved the issue or temporarily fixs it and then right back to the same issue.
The transfer case will make noise when unlocking the doors, it will also engage and change the awd by itself to 4lock when driving on the road. It can cause seriouse hard or accident. The airbags on both driver and passenger side light will engage and can cause seriouse harm. The fuel pump seems like it has an air bubble inside and shoots out gasoline and also can cause seriouse harm. All of these problems occurs when the vehicle is in motion and stationary. Please fix!!! recall!!! you have to hear the noise and drive when it happens.
The transfer case will shift into 4 wheel drive on it's on. This happens when the vehicle is off and I unlock or lock the doors with the key fob. It also happens when the vehicle is in motion. It is unpredictable and happens very frequently. This is not very safe and can also cause very expensive damage to the powertrain.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving various speeds while in two wheel drive, the transmission would suddenly switch to neutral, the vehicle would stop, and the four wheel drive sensor light would illuminate. After shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the transmission would make a grinding noise while in four wheel drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case shift motor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Durango decides to go into 4 wh drive at random without input from the driver to do so. Steering becomes heavy . . . Often this occurs when the driver is making a turn at slow speeds. Depending of the strength of the driver this can easily cause a crash. The motor rpms are pulled down as the driver makes the turn and can cause the car to stall. . . Making the steering very heavy. This is a known problem with the Durango. . . Faulty transfer case motor. This should be replaced by Chrysler.
My 2004 Dodge Durango 5. 7l awd is engaging in four wheel drive at high speeds on its own on the interstate. It made a very loud grinding and clunking noise, the service 4wd light will come on and then turn off and then the 4wd lo light will come on and turn off. I was forced to pull off the road and it felt like the car was stuck in four wheel drive and will not come out. I tried to put it in gear while just sitting still and it just makes that grinding noise. I had to have the car towed as I am afraid that driving it would cause myself or others physical harm. Please consider looking into this matter because as I am reading on several Dodge forums this is a common problem and can be very serious to drivers and others. I have read that there are several problems with the transfer case in 2004 and 2005 Dodge Durango. A big company such as Dodge should investigate the need for a possible recall since these problems are being addressed on Dodge forums. As far as getting it fixed or trying to figure out how to get it fixed is the next problem.
Service 4wd lite came on, truck started jerking and binding on turns. Cycled switch thru awd, 4lock and 4 lo, seemed to be ok for awhile then locked in 4lock and stayed there until driven a mile down a bumpy dirt road. Repair shop serviced transfer case but now its stuck in 4lock, they suspect shift motor but none are available. Internet complaints seem to point to electrical issue, temporary fix is to unplug shift motor if you can get it into awd but Dodge needs to come up with a permanent fix for this.
2004 Dodge Durango, 5. 7 hemi. The transfer case motor failing and the service 4wd light starting off blinking here and there. Then went steady and locked in 4wd.
My 2004 Dodge Durango limited 4x4 5. 7 hemi has experienced the same transfer case issues that many other owners have experienced. The vehicle will randomly try to shift itself into 4 wheel drive low without the driver changing the switch from the awd to the 4lo position. Fortunately we were moving slowly when it occurred but this could be very dangerous at higher speeds as all four wheels lock up and the vehicle cannot be turned. After reading all of the complaints about this issue I decided not to attempt to have it repaired as many owners have stated that dealers have replaced very expensive parts such as the transfer case, transfer case shift motor, and transmission control computer without the problem being resolved. I elected to disconnect the transfer case wiring harness as I was 1000 miles away from home on vacation with my family at the time and needed to drive home safely. It has been disconnected ever since then and I am afraid to reconnect it as I am afraid that I will lose control of the vehicle if it occurs at a higher rate of speed. If I could be sure that the dealer could definitely correct the problem I would consider paying to have it fixed, but it is evident that Dodge/Chrysler is really not sure what the cause of the problem really is and is just guessing at the proper repairs. I believe that this should be considered for recall as it poses a serious safety concern. I am not sure if any serious accidents or deaths have resulted from this issue but it should be addressed before a fatality or serious injury occurs.
Vehicle suddenly shifts electronically into four wheel drive mode. This causes loss of driveability at slow speeds and the ability to easily turn corners on dry pavement. If this electronic shift control were to shift the transfer case to nuetral, the vehicle would lose all power to the wheels and if it were parked could roll away. The transfer case shift knob includes the following user selectable modes: awd, fwd high, fwd low, nuetral.
Transfer case shifted into four wheel drive lock without input of the driver. The vehicle was on straight level hard surface road. Transfer case will not shift out of four wheel drive lock.
My well-maintained 2004 Dodge Durango slt began doing something bizarre a few months ago at about 120,000 miles. This has 4. 7l v8 and the awd-4hi-4lo 2-speed transfer case. The "service 4wd" and the traction control light began flashing, and it felt like the transfer case was stuck in 4hi with the tires grabbing on a turn. The selector knob on the dash would not function. I brought the truck to my mechanic who checked the function of the transfer case motor, inspected the motor and wiring, and changed the transfer case fluid again. I called my local Chrysler dealer and they advised that they would need to change the transfer case motor. The motor costs $1190 plus two hours labor and two quarts of atf+4 fluid. I brought the truck back to my mechanic and he said there is nothing wrong with the motor or the transfer case or the dash selector knob. He said he believes this is a control module or programming issue. I got a third opinion at my local lee myles. They concurred that there is nothing wrong with the transfer case motor and there must be some issue with the computer, programming, or one or more of the control modules. The truck continues to do the same thing. The malfunction condition exists approximately 65% of the time. I can't afford to bring to the dealer now and spend over $1300 for a repair that I do not think will correct the problem. I have read on many message boards that this seems to be a very common issue with 2004-2006 Durangos and changing the motor, or the switch does not help the situation. I also notice that at times when I open the doors or unlock the doors with the key fob, I can hear the transfer case motor cycling. This seems to be an electrical or programming issue. It is very difficult to turn the wheels at low speeds when the malfunction condition exists and I fear this is straining the transmission.