I have a Dodge Durango 2004 hemi with approximately 124K miles on it. The car was driving fine for me and my family until this morning when I tried to start my car, it was making a loud noise like there was rocks in the engine. It doesn't start up like normal and if it does you can't even drive it. Sounds like the engine is in pieces. I've heard a lot of Dodge hemi owner's had a lot of problems with their engine seizing up while they were driving at high speeds and everything just completely shut off on them(very dangerous). A lot of forums that I read online has the exact same problem that I'm having.

- Salem, OR, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that she started the vehicle and heard a loud noise that sounded similar to several rocks being thrown around under the hood. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 137,000.

- Milltown, NJ, USA

This morning I went to start my Dodge Durango and there was a loud bang from the engine. A connecting rod failed on the vehicle and now the engine is not repairable anymore. This is a big safety concern because this could have happened on the highway or in any other every day dangerous situation where the car would be inoperable. Such a failure should not happen to a vehicle that has 95K on it. I feel that Dodge should own up to a design flaw on the engine, because I have read a number of complaints on the internet about this exact failure at around the same mileage. I have gotten no support from Dodge on this issue even calling their customer care only to hear that my car has too many miles for them to help me out.

- Warwick, RI, USA

I parked the car on Saturday evening, didn't drive it until Monday morning. On Monday morning, I started the car, and it sounded like a box of rocks in the engine compartment. I turned off my radio, and tried it again, with the same result. My husband came out, and told me that there was oil pouring out of under the car. The day and night prior to this incident, it had been raining a lot. Normally, I park with the front of the car facing up hill, but had gotten home late, and just pulled straight into my parking spot which put the nose down. After this happened, I did some research on the internet, and saw that this was happening to many 2004 Durango owners. I do feel somewhat lucky since my mileage was much higher than some of the other failure mileages. We have always maintained the Durango, and had all work done at the dealership. I am so upset about the fact that I didn't drive my Durango to its expected 300,000 to 400,000 mile range. I love this vehicle, and it was my graduation present from my husband. Now, I have to figure out some other way to get my 5 kids and dogs camping!

- Longbranch, WA, USA

2004 Dodge Durango limited 5.7L hemi 4X4 my vehicle was already running for approx 3-5 minutes, warming up, after I had finished working a full 12-hour night shift. Time is 0640 hrs, outside temp is approx 30 degrees. Vehicle running normal, no alarms, no warning indicators. I was pulling out of driveway of my employment onto the roadway and accelerating on a completely straight roadway. As vehicle was passing 20-25mph and with no fore-warning, heard loud 'bang' from the engine compartment and vehicle started shaking. Vehicle's reaction was immediate. Violent vibrations, tappings and metal to metal sounds, I immediately shut down the engine and drifted off to side of road. My vehicle has never been pushed or worked hard. Never hauled heavy loads or trailored. Body is in very good condition and vehicle maintenance has always been performed on regular basis (approx 1000 miles into current oil change). At first I thought I had thrown the serpentine belt, but within seconds I knew it was much worse, shutting off the engine. Two checks of the oil level, assured me that there was in fact oil in the engine. There were no external leaks found and there did not appear to be any oil/coolant mixing. After towing the vehicle, to my mechanic, they have since reported what they believe to be as a "catastrophic loss of the engine". I have reported this failure to Chrysler Corp. And they have opened a case number for me, but they have not made any commitment, if they will cover the failure. After some of my own investigating, I have discovered there are numerous complaints, of the exact same nature as my failure, with this identical make/model year and 5.7L hemi engine, with many failures occurring in the 80-120K mile range (my mileage 97K). Very angry and upset about this failure, but thankful I was able to safely pull over without any further incident and injury.

- Limerick, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he heard an unusual loud noise emitting from the engine with the illumination of the entire instrument panel. The engine was turned off. A certified technician inspected the vehicle and informed that there was a hole within the engine. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was 68,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

Went to start car (which ran perfectly well the night prior) and sounded like rocks under the hood. We have been very faithful with oil changes, in fact, had the oil changed just 3 days prior to incident, always done at the dealership, and regular maintenance completed. There were no engine lights or warnings. Towed to dealership and informed that a rod was broken/thrown and damaged the long block. Now looking at over $6000 for engine replacement. When finding that many others with same car/engine are having the same issues, I am extremely disappointed that a recall hasn't been done, or a consumer safety report issued. Had this happened while I was driving, it could have been catastrophic. The manufacturer needs to pony up and deal with this issue.

- University Place, WA, USA

Main bearing spun and lifter stuck on engine. No warning sign with low oil light, no funny noises, the car just died on me after stopping at the bank and starting to pull away. With such a common problem why isn't Dodge stepping up to help with these bad engines? it's a shame.

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

While driving the vehicle, it made a loud noise from the engine compartment, a loud banging noise was heard and the engine began to emit smoke filling up the truck cabin. There was very little visibility out the front window, at which time the truck was pulled to the side of the road, avoiding oncoming traffic.

- Baldwin, MD, USA

Complete engine failure. From what I am reading and what my mechanic has told me, this is a common failure. Besides the financial impact of this defective, faulty engine, it poses a safety hazard to the motoring public when the engine has a total and massive failure, especially if it happens at highway speeds. This vehicle should have a mandatory recall and Dodge held responsible for the necessary repairs / replacements.

- Cornwall On Hudson, NY, USA

Wife was driving on highway and car completely shut down, engine, all power. No power steering, no power brakes, nothing. Happened multiple times. Last time, shut down on highway doing 60mph with multiple children in car.

- Everett, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal ticking noise. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the lifters would need to be replaced. All sixteen lifters were replaced. After the repair was complete, the ticking noise could still be heard and the contact was advised by the mechanic that there was nothing that could be done about the noise. As the contact drove the vehicle, the oil warning light would illuminate whenever the contact would brake to a stop. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the engine would need replacing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 172,000 and the current mileage was 179,000.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated when he started the vehicle he heard a loud noise in the engine. A mechanic stated that a rod in the engine was broken. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 11/27/12

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

I was driving in the pouring rain and all of a sudden my Durango started skipping and had a hesitation when giving the gas then stalled suddenly. Had to pump gas to restart and continued stalling as soon as it restarted. Per shop, 2004-2005 have defective cowl on windshield with huge gap. Water is just pouring onto motor causing misfire. This is a known issue and Dodge refuses to recall. I have contacted my local Dodge dealer who has ordered the part however part has been back ordered for over a month. This is a very dangerous situation. Not only is the vehicle stalling suddenly but once it stalls I lose my power steering and barely make it to the side of the road. Since this started, I still feel a hesitation/skip in the motor when driving in dry condition. Something needs to be done here. Why isn't Dodge being held responsible for these dangerous issues?

- Warren, RI, USA

One day it ran fine then one morning went out to start and it sounded like rattling chains under hood. Changed starter...didn't work. Mechanic found metal in oil pan. So now we need to replace whole motor. In doing research on it, this is an extremely common problem that Dodge refuses to fix. So now I have no way of getting my 4 children around to their sports and I have a 5th child due in 7 weeks. With no vehicle. Thanks Dodge.

- Mineral Ridge, OH, USA

This car ran perfect up until this happened. I went out to start it up one morning and on starting the engine broke a connecting rod on number 7 cylinder, ruining the engine.this is a common complaint with these 2004 Durangos with the 5.7 hemi engine. Im a retired mechanic with 31 years experience with the transit system in cincinnati, Ohio. And I've never seen any engine do this kind of damage for lack of maintenance. This is nothing but poor quality control and cheap over seas parts in these early hemi engines.does someone have to get killed in order to force a recall on these engines"??"

- Elsmere, KY, USA

Paid extra to get the 5.7 hemi that is supposed to last forever right, well now 3500 later we are finally getting a new motor put in it, I believe that Dodge should be held responsible for this issue. Went out to start it one morning and sounded like a gun shot, shot a rod clean through the oil pan, but worst part is it was still running, still will run, just sounds horrible. Really think we should be reimbursed for the new engine.

- Newport, AR, USA

We were driving the car and suddenly it started making this loud noise under the hood and shook. I pulled over and turned off the car. I checked to see if the oil was ok and it was. There wasn't any leaking fluids. The vehicle was towed to our home and sits in the drive. Any attempt to start it causes violent shaking loud noise. It struggles to idle and dies.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

Auto drove properly previous day, started the engine at 6pm and it sounded like rocks in the engine. A puddle of oil was visible underneath the parked SUV. Car has been properly cared for, no warning lights on the dashboard ie: Oil, engine light - just loud clanking and not drivable. Edmunds and other auto information complaints are exactly like ours. This issue has been fixed in the 05 models but not in the 04. It rained a little earlier in the day and this video shows what is transpiring in the 04 models: Hydrolock= broken rods www.youtube.com/watch?V=I_thrvtmlx4 Chrysler needs to answer the hundreds of complaints that are documented. We cannot afford a new family car. Thank you for your time and I hope that you help us find a solution and hold them accountable.

- Homer City, PA, USA

I pulled into the middle of an intersection at taylor road and sr 256 in reynoldsburg, oh and what sounded like an explosion was a rod that shot through the oil pan into the side of the engine block causing the car to stop moving while in traffic.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA