Engine hydrolocked due to excessive water pouring from the windshield onto the engine causing water to penetrate the cylinders. Vehicle would stall when driving in the rain or in a carwash. Well maintained and oil changed frequently. Now vehicle is worthless due to Dodge design flaw or faulty parts.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that after starting the engine, he heard a loud noise emanating from the engine that sounded like rocks were under the hood. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 160,000.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

My 2004 Dodge Durango was garage kept for the first 8 years of its life. We recently moved it to be parked outside and it began to have trouble starting. It was diagnosed as hydrolocking, but they could not reproduce it at my repair shop. After sitting outside again, starting caused a thrown rod ruining the engine and block. It requires a new engine. I have found out that my neighbor had the same thing happen. His vehicle would hesitate when going through car washes, then one day threw a rod when starting. Many other instances seem to be similar in online posts. Please investigate this flaw in the 2004 Dodge Durango vehicles. This is a financially devastating situation for families.

- Glenwood, MD, USA

Since I bought the vehicle in 2005, the glass on back hatch shattered 6 months after I bought it, the electronic panel went out, the map sensor, idler pulleys (car was two years old), car stalls in heavy rain/at car wash always- have had it towed, exhaust manifolds been worked on, water pump, radiator, heater core, intake valve spring, rust bubbles on paint car was only 2 years old. Yesterday, while driving my children to activities, car made ticking sound & sounded funny pressing on the gas & sitting at light- I immediately drove to muffler man thinking it was the muffler. To my surprise, I was told lifters collapsed and need two sets of lifters/ head gaskets, whole engine has to be taken apart, cost is $1,500. I thought a hemi engine was supposed to be the best. This car has been a money pit since I bought it and for everyone else too after the comments I have read. I will never purchase a Dodge vehicle again. Too many things have replaced on this car I can't even begin to tell you, it is in previous letters sent to Chrysler-and it isn't just me. I maintained this vehicle, got regular oil changes, etc. And it backfired on me. I realize it is 10 years old and we put a lot of highway miles on the car taking family vacations and every family vacation, there has been a car problem. I put so much money into this car, I can't save up enough to get anything new. I know family members that have cars 10-15 years old and haven't put a dime into their car, other than maintenance, new tires, oil changes, etc. I cannot express the amount of stress this car has put on me. It has left me stranded on several occasions with my kids in the car. Not reliable whatsoever, would never purchase a Dodge/Chrysler product again. Every time I take it some where, the mechanics always mention the poor design of the engine.

- Burton, MI, USA

My Dodge Durango 2004 with a 5.7 hemi engine was only driven locally and barely had 60,000 miles on it when I went to start it up in the morning there was a loud banging/knocking sound, I immediately turned off the car. Once we had it towed to a mechanic, after inspecting the issue, it was a rod that had broke off and put a hole in the side of my engine. All of the vehicle maintenance has been up to date and I had purchased the vehicle brand new. With only 60,000 miles on the vehicle, I was extremely surprised and very upset to find out that I needed too replace the engine. I have not had any problems with my vehicle up to this point and after researching the issue, found that there have been numerous complaints from other Durango hemi owners with the same problem happening. Something needs to be done about this, a cars engine should not have to be replaced with just 60,000 miles on it with no prior problems and all maintenance being taken care of through the years with an original owner!

- Pasadena, MD, USA

Went out to start 2004 Dodge Durango morning after a heavy rain, turned key and rod went thru block. Had problems with it when it rained (caused multiple misfires) found out later after the engine blew that the company was aware of the cowl leakage problem that allows water to leak onto motor. Think there should of been a recall or letter advising us this needed fixed. Evidentially these complaints aren't being read or no one is paying attention to them. Guess were all screwed by Dodge. Vehicle was maintained proper every 3000 miles just for information Dodge will not help anyone if engine is out of warranty, they will tell you your on your own. Sale, sale, sale, your Dodge Durango and don't buy another one. Sale it and don't keep because it will happen again. By selling it the problem is then solved because Dodge or these guys wont do anything for you.

- West Frankfort, IL, USA

2004 Dodge Durango with 5.7 hemi, would always experience a slight engine miss after a hard rain and vehicle would shut off with engine miss if ran through an auto car wash. Had a very heavy rain last night, ran vehicle approximately 50 miles today with no real noticeable problems. Felt slight engine miss while sitting at idle. On my home from picking up our daughter from school, with no warning the engine blew a rod out the side of the block on the passengers side of the vehicle. From reading several different forums it appears this a common problem with this model. Have always had service maintenance performed every 3,000 miles! sounds like a manufactures defect causing engine to blow rod at same location on multiple vehicles! every vehicle in our driveway is a Dodge brand, mopar runs through our veins. Chrysler Corp. Knows they have a component failure issue with this year and engine combination and it is time they do something about it before someone is seriously hurt or killed. I was very fortunate to get my vehicle off the highway, praising god our daughter was not driving who just got her learners permit. She (15 years old) most likely would not have been able to react quickly enough to the catastrophic failure to get the vehicle, which died instantly off the busy highway.

- New Creek, WV, USA

After a snow storm and the snow melted, when I attempted to start it, the starter was grinding. The engine was hydrolocked and broke the connecting rod for #3 cylinder. Subsequent investigation turned up a tech bulletin (not mandatory recall) to replace cowl at the base of the windshield due to water leakage onto the top of the engine which can cause misfiring. I never received notice of this tech bulletin or the potential catastrophic consequences of not implementing it. There was no indication the defective cowl could cause total engine failure in the tech bulletin. The melting snow seeped into the #3 cylinder, possibly from a failed intake manifold seal or warped intake manifold (yet to be determined), and caused hydrolock. I found evidence of a small amount of water in the oil pan which leaked from #3 cylinder. I also found water under the intake manifold near the #3 cylinder. This is a safety issue because a broken connecting rod usually punches a hole in the block causing oil to spill on the road! this was a 5.7L hemi. The engine needed to be completely rebuilt.

- Chesilhurst, NJ, USA

I've owned my 2004 Durango 5.7 since it was new has had most service done at dealership a few at sears. The Durango was in and out of the shop on numerous occasions for rough idle when raining and loss of fuel mileage. The dealer couldn't find the problem drove the Durango on a Saturday before we had a lot of rain Saturday night and Sunday morning after rain stopped started the Durango only to hear a bang then something knocking in motor took it to the dealer only to be told after spending another 325 dollars that the motor hydra locked and broke a rod. Now the dealership and Dodge both say there is nothing they can do about it. Since it is out of warranty someone needs to hold them accountable for not fixing a problem they know exists. They now want to charge me another $8500 to replace the engine.

- Charleston, SC, USA

I bought my 2004 Durango in 2011 everytime it rains it stalls and acts like it wants to die same as when I am in a car wash it will idle rough and act like it wants to die no matter what speed you are going if it rains or is in any type of water it will stall and die on you and dealerships don't know what the problem is besides it needs a new motor I just hit 100 K on my car and it is getting worse the oil censor is defective to and they won't fix that either.

- Elpaso, IL, USA

My husband and I were exiting the subdivision on our way to work after dropping our children off at daycare. We merged through the middle lane and onto the main street at about 25-30 miles per hour when all of a sudden we heard a loud noise and the car shut down. After waiting forever for roadside to come and get us and take our car to the shop, they determined that the engine was locked. We were very accurate with oil changes and getting our car serviced at the Dodge dealerships so this was not due to anything we failed to get serviced. There should definitely be a recall on these vehicles. What is the point of paying $30 for oil changes and many other services and fees if the engine is going to lock up anyway"! now we are stuck with a car note which we cannot afford to pay because we are paying $600 a month for a rental. So now there will most likely be a repossesion on our credit. Who should be responsible for this? where is the durability in these vehicles" I am highly disappointed in this investment.

- St. Louis , MO, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the engine made an unusual noise after it was started. The contact also stated that there was an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 142,000.

- Muncie, IN, USA

2004 Dodge Durango bent rod # 7 Chrysler dealership replaced bent rod. But said need new engine because they could not find out why the engine failed. Many thousand of dollars were paid to fix and get on road again. Not sure if this would happen again, nervous with three kids in car ages 2,5,6 am I going to kill or hurt my children driving them in this car"??" happened again same bent rod 1 month after repair. On 2012 October. Car sits in dealership for 8 months now. Will not move car or drive car till someone tells me that it is safe to drive kids in it. They fluxed motor pressure tested it and still they do not know what is wrong. Look at all the same complaints on line this is not just me!!! something is wrong! do my children need to die or someone elses family need to get hurt by one of these SUV's before someone takes notice. Please look in to this. [xxx], Michigan E-mail [xxx] I will be posting this over again till someone hears my cry! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

Driving North bound on I 95 in South Carolina the check engine light came on and a flapping sound followed by a loss of power and a very rough idle. Pull to off ramp, shut car off, and called for a nearby Dodge dealer and a tow. It seems a "new" engine is required. Dodge does not supply new engines with replacements they use remanufactured engines. The cost with labor will be $7,500. Upon requesting the true cause and broken parts I was told Dodge requires all parts be sent back with the broken engine to remanufacture a future engine. Very convenient to prevent any independent examination of the problem. Research on various sites like edmunds illustrates that this engine failure of the 5.7L hemi in the second generation Durango's is prevalent. Dodge refuses to help with the repair because of the age of the vehicle.

- Sellersville, PA, USA

I own a 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7 hemi. The engine made a loud noise, I pulled over and saw oil on the frame. I had a mechanic look at it and they said a rod went through the block. I always changed the oil on schedule. The vehicle only had about 700 miles on the last oil change. The vehicle didn't give any warning before going out. I have seen lots of other people with the same problems. Chrysler needs to be held accountable in this situation.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

Purchased vehicle on 2/19/13 drove it for 2 weeks. Was driving on the highway and heard a loud noise followed by clunking noise which sounded like a flat tire but wasn't. took it to my mechanic who told me that the front differential needed to be replaced. Fixed that problem. 2 weeks after that on 3/29 was getting off the highway when I heard another loud noise followed by a clunking noise this time I lost steering and barely made it into a parking lot. Had it towed to my mechanic to find out it blew a rod and needed to have the engine replaced. After having this vehicle for 6 weeks I have had 2 catastrophic failures. My dealership will not help me and I cannot afford to replace the engine on my own. I purchased this vehicle to be a safe and reliable mode of transportation for me and my 4 children. Now I am out $6000 and have no vehicle. Something needs to be done about this. People should not be forced to pay for an issue that is known to be a problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I went to start the engine and heard a loud bang, I left it for a few minutes and tried again, and the engine was banging loudly. I got the car towed to the a local Dodge dealership and they said that the car has a blown engine and that I need a replacement.

- Cape May Court House, NJ, USA

Purchased my hemi Dodge Durango 2004, with approx. 90,000 miles on it. Only 20,000 miles into the purchase, turning from a complete stop accelerating into a 40 mph. Lane at approx. 25-35 mph, (clunk) after hearing a loud thump, car would not move. Towed to experienced maintenance, contacted my local Chrysler maintenance dept., only option to resolve my matter was to replace my now dead 110,000 mile engine with a re built engine at a purchase price of $2,500/approx.70,000 miles. Approx. 15,000 miles and only local driving (3 miles tops/per day), I am experienceing faults which lead me to believe, I will experience this unfortunate problem again. Vehicle also, turns off in heavy rain, air bags alerts are faulty, stereo eqipment faulty, electical seating faulty. Please advise.

- Elgin, IL, USA

Car was cold, from sitting over night.went to start, and heard a bunch of clanging. I turned truck off immediately. Went to crank engine over, and nothing. No noise, accept chimes from interior, and a slight noise from starter.I have worked for years around vehicles and repairs, and it sounded like something was stuck. I put gear shifter in nuetral, disconnected serpentine belt, and tried to manually turn engine at crankshaft. I could not get it to budge. When I looked up online, I was surprised to see how many people with this motor had it sieze, I called Chrysler, and was told there was nothing they could do for me, being as it was out of warranty, and their was no recall. I don't understand how the government doesn't hold the car manufacturers to stricter standards, for issues like this.I'm not any kind of a computer guru, and I've found hundreds of people with similar issue, online. Would really be nice, to see Chrysler have to make good for these faulty motors.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Toms River, NJ, USA

2004 Dodge Durango with 5.7 hemi engine would run rough (to the point of stalling out) during light to medium rain or when it went through the car wash. Vehicle has been doing this for several months after it reached 100K miles. Dodge authorized mechanics were unable to determine the exact problem. Complete tune-up was performed. During February 2013, the vehicle's cowl was replaced (approx. 160K miles odometer reading) in an effort to divert water from entering the engine block area. In March 2013 (approx. 168K miles), attempted to start the vehicle; engine turned over with a banging noise followed by sounds of grinding metal. Brought in mechanic who informed me that the noise was due to blown engine-rod and that vehicle is in need of an engine overhaul.

- Upper Saddle River , NJ, USA