10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 89,496 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I own a 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T with the 5.7L hemi. I was driving from Utah to Missouri for work. Once I got to Lincoln, Nebraska it was raining and out of no where my check engine light started to flash and my engine started to make a very bad knocking noise. I ended up having to get my car towed to a local mechanic where he found that a valve seal dropped in cylinder 6. there was absolutely no warning for this to happen. No small ticking noise from the valve hitting the seal, no water in the oil, no oil in the water, no metal flakes in the oil. From the knowledge of myself, my dad (12 year diesel mechanic), the mechanic that I had my car towed to who (has an a+ BBB rating and has been in business for over 14 years), and from the research I have done online a valve seat doesn't just drop out of no where without warning. From what I have seen online a lot of people have had major engine failure like this with the 2004-05 Dodge durango with the 5.7L hemi as well. I am not 100% sure my issue is related, but what I do know is that this engine is now on back order through Chrysler and the dealer told me they couldn't order the engine from Chrysler and would have to order a new engine through a 3rd party company. I am the 2nd owner of my car and the previous owner and my self have both kept up on regular maintenance very well (oil changed every 3,000 miles). This engine needs to be investigated and recalled if this has happened to enough people for the engine to be on back order!
- Kaysville, UT, USA
The car started normally after sitting in a parking lot for 30 minutes. When the car was placed in reverse, the car lurched backwards and began accelerating on it's own. I quickly applied the brakes and stopped the car and put it in neutral but the engine continued to race from idle to 3000rpm. I repeatedly tried to restart the car and the same issue arose. Finally the car settled down and I was able to get it home. I took it to the dealer and was told the throttle body was bad and I replaced it. Same issue reappeared and I was then told it needed to be initialized to the new throttle body. The day after having the work done at the dealer the car began to accelerate on it's own in traffic. I contacted the dealer and was told there was a common problem with the PCM's in this particular car. I cannot believe that Chrysler has a car on the road that when the PCM fails, the car will accelerate on it's own. Chrysler says there is nothing they can do as it is out of warranty.
- Marietta, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Magnum. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 mph, the engine stalled and restarted. The failure occurred numerous times. Also, the similar failure occurred when approaching a complete stop and driving at various speeds. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed there was not a recall related to the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
- Riverside, CA, USA
- Chula Vista, CA, USA