9.4

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,090
Average Mileage:
115,100 miles
Total Complaints:
145 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (108 reports)
  2. not sure (15 reports)
  3. replace engine or junk it (13 reports)
  4. Dodge recalls due to design flaw (4 reports)
  5. gave to charity (2 reports)
  6. replace cowl to prevent engine hydrolock (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #125

Mar 242015

Durango Unsure Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,102 miles

click to see larger images

engine failure

Just as others have stated, driving down highway and the car just stops. No Check Engine light, Nothing. The whole thing just froze up. coasted to side of road, and had it towed. Rod snapped, and put major hold in engine. Engine replaced. $5700 later. Brand New Hemi Engine installed, New oil Pan, and New starter. $5700 down the drain and 4 months later, after being in the RAINY Southern USA, we are bringing it back home to Illinois, as it is starting to make the same noises, as before it blew.

Such a beautiful SUV. What a shame. We are out $5700 and probably are going to have to retire it now.

- bamamom, Darien, IL, US

problem #124

Aug 042014

Durango 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I will just say that so many people have complained about the same engine problem and yet nothing is being done by the worst auto company in the world. I got the 2004 Durango 4.7 from my son after he had it for 3 years "he bought the car new. I noticed after I had the car for 3 years the engine did not sound normal, but what do I know? I am not a mechanic, so I would change the oil and did what I was told to do by my mechanic.

In August of 2014 I got up went to start the car and I could not believe how bad the engine sounded, It was like everything was falling apart, I spent $3800 on the engine only because the mechanic knew me and gave me a break. The original cost was 5000 dollars. There are so many complaints on these engines and yet no one is doing nothing about it. Chrysler does not give a DAMN about it.

- Hector G., Palm Coast, FL, US

problem #123

Jun 032015

Durango Limited 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,400 miles

I just had the same thing happen to me and the car we got 1 yr ago used auto dealer with 2yrs/24,000 mile warranty. My friends who have garages do not do warranty work but told me it just needed a new intake manifold gasket. The warranty company made me take it to the dealer specified garage .

Well, they told me the engine was blown? I said no way, 2 other places told me what is was but don't do warranty work. So I ask the guy to call the warranty company and give them the diag plus costs. He instead calls up his friend we bought the car from (the dealer) and talks to him and never calls the ins.company. He tells me to call this guy who ends up being the owner of the dealership and he gives me an earful about service receipts? So I call back the warranty company and they tell me no-one has called them? So the guy lied and I got permission to take it to another. Problem! The guy filled the engine with gas!

When I went to get it the oil stick was broken and I needed tweezers to get it out, plus it smelled of gas badly now. I replace the dip stick and it measures almost to the top minus 4 inches! So I call a tow and when I go to start it up to put on the tow it blows up!

I brought it to another place and they said it's now frozen of coarse. But I didn't want to tell him about what happened. I drove 14,000 miles in it and only have 1 receipt from Valvoline at 101.500, which was the last one. The dealer said he has one from when I bought it at about 90,000. I did 2 oil changes myself but no receipts yet cuz advanced auto says they cant go back and find them???

This should be attempted murder for what they did. Can someone plz help us>???I am disabled and got 2 kids and my wife is disabled and just found out she has cancer at age 43 :( . I bet they are gonna get away with this cuz there are no good samaritan's in this country anymore :( plz HELP US

- servergms, E Bridgewater, MA, US

problem #122

Jul 032015

(reported on)

Durango Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Well this Durango has served us well for ten plus years. So much so, that last year we purchased a 2013 Durango. Thank God it doesn't have the hemi. I drove the truck to work Thursday and it sat outside in the rain Friday and Saturday. When I went to start it Sunday there was a loud bang and stall, restarted to a God-awful tapping....shut down immediately. Had it towed to my mechanic and he informed me there is a hole in the block with a rod peeking out...this friggin' hemi hydro lock, as I have learned.

I have owned Chrysler/dodge products as long as I have been driving, a BIG Mopar fan...very, very disappointed. The truck is not worth the cost of an engine replacement, especially if it may happen again at anytime. Turning a blind eye to a problem that is obvious is no way to keep customers, let alone gain new ones Chrysler/dodge..I am pissed off, but I feel more let down and disappointed. No wonder every year your market share shrinks!!! I too have a 2004 ornament gracing the front lawn.

- easyrieder, Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #121

Jun 182013

Durango SLT 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

We had no issues with it for 6 years, and one day it just blew a rod through the engine block, with only 109K miles on it. Start doing research and find out that is an extremely common issue for the 2004, since it was the first year of the Hemi engine. Low and behold, a new engine is not only hard to find, but costs more than the truck was worth. So off to the scrap heap it went. Never ever will buy a first year of new model again.

- j.cwi, Wausau, WI, US

problem #120

Jul 112015

Durango 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,000 miles

I went to start my truck in the driveway about 11am on Saturday morning. My truck would not start. It was like it was vapor locked. After trying 2 times it started and made a noise like a ticking. I then parked in the street for the day.I started back in the evening and was taking it to the repair shop ,went around the block and heard a huge knocking and turned off the engine. I had the truck towed.

They said my # 8 piston went through the head. WTH I still owe money on a loan. I have keep the perfect records and maintenance on this truck. I have my own mechanic who does oil change and maintenance every 3000 miles, except oil I use synthetic oil. I use premium fuel and only premium parts. I have had leased 4 Dodge trucks and vans. This was first used. I was hoping with all the complaints Dodge would help out.

- Kenneth G., clawson, MI, US

problem #119

May 052014

Durango Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Engine rods broke and blew hole in block from hydrolock. This is a common problem with 2004 and 2005 Durangos with the 5.7L hemi engine. The cause is a poor design of the water dam on the windshield that over time leaks and allows water to flow onto the fuel intake manifold. Over time that water is pooled up and causes the intake bolts to rust and rot out allowing the water to then get sucked into the manifold causing the engine to hydrolock.

This problem has been presented to Dodge so many times that all dealership service centers are aware of the issue but Dodge refuses to issue a recall. That's because they would be required to reimburse everyone who has replaced the motor out of their own pockets. The government needs to step in and force this recall. If anyone decides to petition the courts I'm in!

- Patrick G., Brentwood, NH, US

problem #118

May 062008

Durango

  • 63,000 miles

Same problem happened again on 4/23/10 which is the push rod went through the engine (blew a hole) and you lose pressure to the entire car and it requires a new engine to fix. This was the second engine and I was given a one year 12,000 mile warranty on that engine. When this problem happened with that engine I had 12,400 miles on the engine. So I had to fight with Chrysler to have them split the repair cost with me and I paid approximately $700 for the labor. Chrysler agreed to pay for the parts.

I filed a report to the NTSB because this vehicle design was defective and no recall was ever done. I'm out approximately $1500 between repairs and towing and renting a vehicle. I hold onto my vehicles for a long time and I just had to get rid of this Dodge Durango because I felt that it was unsafe to drive any more. So I also lost use of several years of driving without car payments.

There was never a recall on the 2004 engine but I saw many people's comments online that had the same problem that I did.

- Robert U., Franklinville, NJ, US

problem #117

Sep 102014

Durango SLT 5.7L Hemi V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

A mere 84,000 miles and my meticulously maintained 5.7 Hemi Durango engine seizes. I had brought it to Lester Glenn Dodge in Toms river, NJ on three separate occasions because the engine would stall while driving. The service dept. said no codes were coming up, and that it didn't stall when they drove it.

The first visit they replaced the clock spring. 2nd visit they did nothing and the 3rd they replaced some sensors, none of which was covered under my warranty or fixed the problem. Now, the service dept. manager "Mike" is swearing that my wife or I never told them that the car had ever stalled. They are saying we brought it in three times for the check engine light...They are Disgusting Liars!!!

- blitz131, Seaside Hghts, NJ, US

problem #116

Apr 182015

Durango Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,936 miles

Left vehicle sit in rain for a week, while on vacation. Upon returning the motor had a loud knock. Mechanic states rod failure on number five cylinder, 7000 dollars to replace with rebuilt motor. Never again buy a Dodge. I figured a hemi could take more than a little rain water but I guess not.

- gabohio, Columbus, US

problem #115

Jan 062015

Durango ST 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I started my truck upon leaving work. It started but was making a loud banging noise. After a short time it made a loud crunch and stopped completely. When the driver loaded it onto the flat bed I found the top of a rod with a wrist pin through it on the ground.

Prior to the engine failure I would have misfire codes and it would run poorly when it rained or I got it washed. I found out from the engine re-manufacturer that the windshield wiper cowl on these trucks warps letting all the water from the windshield pour on top of the engine. If you have a deteriorated intake manifold gasket or a loos plug water gets into the combustion chamber causing hydro-lock and engine failure. There is a replacement cowl available to prevent this.

I found a new re-manufactured motor for $2050 with warranty and I have a buddy with a shop that will install it cheaply. I will be replacing the windshield wiper cowl as well.

- tgommel, Rochester, NY, US

problem #114

Apr 272015

Durango Limited 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,500 miles

We bought this 2004 Durango with 105,000 for a second family vehicle. It was large enough for myself, my husband, and our 4 children. All records were given to us by the original owner. It had 104,000 miles on it, but it was so clean and well cared for. 3 weeks after owning it, I tried to start it to take my daughter to school. It made the scariest sound ever. After having it towed, we were told, that it threw a rod and destroyed the engine. Haven't even made the first payment. We were faced with an impossible situation. If we scrapped it, we still have to pay back our loan on a car we didn't even have any more! We reluctantly decided to replace the engine. At this point, I am sick over having invested so much in a vehicle that clearly isn't worth it. Shame on Dodge for letting his happen to anyone, let alone hundreds of people. This will be the last Dodge for us.

- kristinl, Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #113

Apr 202015

Durango Limited 5.7L V8 Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,624 miles

Went shopping with a friend in the states, crossed the border to come back into Canada and within 45 seconds it happened. Stopped at a light, everything was fine. Light turns green, I accelerate and it sounds like something's dragging under my car. I pull over, turn it off, pop the hood.. It's pretty smoky. Look under and see the oil dripping. Dropped a rod and blown engine. I'm pissed. I bought this car used less than a year ago, and this is the SECOND time this has happened. The dealership replaced the engine under the 3 month warranty last time...

I'm screwed now.

- Amie S., Langley, BC, Canada

problem #112

Mar 012015

Durango lx

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

Car had stopped surging after a novel rewire job, still chugged when wet, thought it was electrical but could not find it. Started car...heard banging. Took to mechanic, and rod had bent....car never overheated, abused..oil changes regular. Disaster. I have a $5,000 boat anchor. I am a school teacher about to retire and cannot afford to replace and why rebuild since apparently this is a flaw and next one will do the same...

I keep my cars until they die a natural death but have only had this one 4 years.......this is a financial disaster to me.

- Trish L., Altoona, FL, US

problem #111

Mar 102015

Durango 5.7L Hemit

  • Manual transmission
  • 126,000 miles

uuggghhh... So I knew this was coming one day. Driving, heard a loud noise thought it was the bus in front of me or I ran something over... nope, threw a rod, engine totaled at 126,000 miles. I have always had the oil changed and have taken very good care of my truck. I did have an issue last year where it locked up, but my mechanic was able to fix that. I have read about the problems with running the truck in the rain, I have had issues as well, she felt like she wanted to stall all the time in the rain. I did fix the crack in the plastic under the windshield wipers and that seemed to help. My truck is in great shape other than the motor problem. She will now go to salvage for $1000. I bought a used Maxda CX9 to replace my Durango. No more Dodge for me :(

- andrelczyk, Wenonah, NJ, US

problem #110

Jan 032015

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

https://youtu.be/9inZyT3JUJw

This is the review of the common problem with the engine.

- Shawna F., Hammond, IN, US

problem #109

Jan 032015

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

This problem with the truck stalling in the rain was quite a problem. Took it in to get looked at found nothing wrong. Now fast forward to Jan 2015 after a thawed out winter day and a early morning rain the truck would not start, not even turn over. It finally turned over with a loud bang. Had a mechanic come look at it said the motor was blown. I have a large family with five child. WE DO NOT HAVE THE $5,000+ to fix. What a wasted investment.

- Shawna F., Hammond, IN, US

problem #108

Mar 242015

Durango 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 161,210 miles

I first noticed that my car would stall out when it rains or when I go through car washes. Then I started hearing some noise. I had my car checked out they said number six and seven was misfiring. I was planning to get a tune up to change my spark plugs due to the rain and the water getting down into my motor. Some seal is not properly placed, so the rain is leaking down. I really don't understand about how the rain is getting down there, but apparently the rain is getting down into the motor. Going to work I hear a loud noise. Oil started running down my truck. My mechanic came and said that my truck is done. I have a big behind hole in my motor because of the rain and water some kind of rod was bent and broke off causing it to go into my motor. I feel as though Dodge should have recall this problem. I do not have money to fix my truck. I work far away. I purchased my truck a few years ago and no way my truck should need a new engine right now...a class action lawsuit needs to be filed on them

- Christina B., Vineland, NJ, US

problem #107

Feb 062015

Durango SLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

My son was driving my 2004 Durango on the interstate when he heard a clicking noise, then it stalled out and died on the side of the road and had to be towed 53 miles home to our local mechanic! It has stalled several times when raining over the past few months but I thought it was because I hit a puddle or something. I didn't realize until reading all of the complaints that this is a real issue with these vehicles.

The mechanic just called me and the engine is definitely blown/locked up! They have a used one w/ 86k miles they can replace it with for $3,000 (the mechanic is a longtime friend) so I think it's a decent deal. I bought this truck brand new in 2004 and overall it's been a good vehicle (besides having to replace the a/c 2 times) but I'm not sure if it's worth fixing or just towing it to the salvage yard. Any advice/opinions would be appreciated.

I really hope Dodge acknowledges this problem. My son was in the vehicle w/ 4 friends and this could have caused a major accident, especially since it died during rush hour traffic!

- Fonda J., Orange City, FL, US

problem #106

Jan 132015

Durango Limited 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

I am the original owner of a 2004 Dodge Durango. Without warning my engine blew after it rained. I called and filed a complaint with Dodge. I am very frustrated and pissed. I will be buying a Japanese vehicle. After reading complaints in this forum I am now aware that this is NOT an uncommon problem... Thanks Dodge!

- lee annh, Las Vegas, NV, US

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