2004 Dodge Durango: water leaks into the cabin

Filed Dec 31, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · IN

Went to go start durango & heard a loud boom, & now it seems to be knocking & not drivable now, after do research online we cam across that on these models (2004 dodge durango 5.7 hemi magnums) it seems too leak water into where the engine is due to hood manifold is designed horribly & water leaks on wires, spark, plugs, engine etc. Etc. We've noticed when we drove in the rain or even going through a carwash that the durango would sputter as if it was going to die & it has a couple times & took about 15 mins to start again, after this event has happened we thank god that it happened at home & not on the interstate around other vehicles because this is a serious safely issue that needs to be addressed & now we are out of a vehicle at the moment and we are still currently making payments on this vehicle for another year and a half at-least.

Filed Aug 19, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 176,000 miles · KY

My 2004 dodge durango has the 5.7 hemi. During heavy rains the engine would start to run rough and the electrical system shut down on me three different times in the middle of driving due to the rain. During this electrical shutdown steering was impossible and I would have to stop the vehicle in the middle of traffic. The vehicle did this to me one time in the middle of turning at an intersection. Fortunately no accident occured. I found that the issue was being caused by a faulty seal at the wiper cowl. This leak later blew my engine as the water leak found it's way into the cylinders and blew a piston rod. I was told that this defect has been reported to chrysler by hundreds of people.

Filed Apr 27, 2018 · Engine · 113,543 miles · CO

I purchased my '04 durango in 2014 with 70,000 miles on it and just paid it off last month. I haven't even received the title yet but yet I have a truck that doesn't run anymore. About a week or so ago I went out to start my truck and the engine began to knock very loudly. We had a small rain/snow event the night before and the truck had been sitting outside in the elements. I immediately turned off the truck and went back inside to make some calls and get on the internet. I found out that there has been an ongoing issue with this truck concerning water leaking into the engine causing it to hydrolock the engine causing catastrophic engine failure/ engine replacement. Prior to this, I had issues with the truck concerning idling and/or stalling during the rain or when going through a car wash. I read so many comments from fellow vehicle owners that have experienced this issue and have had to replace the engine. There is no other fix. The estimated fix for this is a new/used engine costing thousands of dollars (I was quoted 7000, I only paid 10,000 for the truck when I bought it). I had a mechanic come look at it and he said the truck dropped a valve, it was cylinder #3. My engine has just over 113,000 miles on it. There is no reason I should have to replace an engine at this mileage. None whatsoever. Delving into the issue it seems as if there is a replacement part (cowl fitting) that needs to be replaced that dodge/chrysler never issued a recall for although they knew there was an issue and it was causing its engines to blow rods and suffer irreparable damage. If I had known that this I would never ever have bought it especially from a company that doesn't correct their mistakes even when they know about them. I have never owned a dodge before and I will never buy another again or recommend them to others. They should stand by their product

Filed Mar 15, 2017 · Body, Engine · 200,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. Whenever it rained or snowed, water leaked into the inside of the vehicle through the hood. The water entered the motor and caused the vehicle to stall and the engine to shut off without warning. The check engine indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the water was leaking into the motor and the pistons, which caused them to fail. As a result, the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Body · GA

Cowl screen has water leaking on the engine when it rains. It caused my truck to drive shaky and then cut off. I almost got into an accident. It stalled out in the middle of me driving on a busy highway. Why isn't there any recalls for this, I have seen numerous complaints about it but nothing is getting done. I guess it would take for some people to lose their life behind the wheel before it get fixed. I always thought dodge was the best vehicle but I am now second guessing myself and will never buy another dodge vehicle again if this problem isn't fixed. It is very unsafe to be riding with your kids while its raining and tour vehicle cuts off on a busy highway with no warner.if you really care about your customers lives you will seriously likeinto getting this problem resolved. Until then I would recommend chevy vehicle for my family friends and everyone I know. [xxx] is my number if anyone has the courage to contact me so I can further tell them about this issue in details. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 2, 2015 · Engine · 53,000 miles · GA

If any water gets into engine compartment (rain, etc..) the engine will misfire (stationary) or shut off (stationary or driving). If driving while raining, the SUV will misfire and may shut off while driving. The error seems to be well documented on the internet and became all to real this week when the car shut off at 70 MPH on the highway while it was raining almost causing an accident and potentially killing my family.

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Engine · 151,400 miles · NY

It was a rainy day on friday oct. 2, 2015. That morning my vehicle started fine, it wasn't until I came out of work that evening when I went to start it the engine made a loud sound and it wouldn't start. I tried a few times until suddenly it turned on and it was making a knocking noise. I then called my mechanic and explained the situation and he told me to bring it to the shop so they can put it on a lift to take a look underneath. As I drove away the sound was unbearable and the faster I drove the louder it got, suddenly I heard a loud explosion and the vehicle stopped. It felt like the engine fell out, there was a lot of smoke and oil everywhere. I got the vehicle towed to the my mechanics shop for further diagnosing when they told me the engine blew out. The next day I got a call after they took the engine apart and told me the block had a hole because the piston blew through it. They told me it would cost more money to rebuild my original engine than buying a used one, I opted out on the used one. As I was home I went online and did some research when I come to find out that many people had the same problem happen to them with the same vehicle on a rainy day or when they took their car through a car wash. So as I did more research it turns out the wiper cowl which at some point chrysler came out with an upgrade tends to leak water on top of the intake manifold which is another bad design, then sucks in water into the engine eventually causing it to hydro lock. I bought my vehicle brand new in 2004 and now I'm disappointed they never issued a recall to fix this problem. I just paid over $4000 to repair it and god knows how long until this used engine goes out with the same problem. I filed a complaint with dodge and spoke to someone yesterday for them to tell me that my vehicle is out of warranty . Please help me with this matter.

Filed Sep 20, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 229,500 miles · FL

This complain involve several issues that constantly happens. The first issue is that the interior lights and instrument panel lights illuminated intermittently and I can hear a buzzing sound when it does this. The second is that the battery dies and I have to jump start or charge it manually most days. Third, every day I have to pour coolant into my radiator because there is a leak somewhere either the water pump or radiator. Fourth, when it rains, water gets inside via the door seams. Fifth, then my radio/dvd player stopped working and I had to pull the fuse because it would not turn off. Sixth, my head lights goes very dim and even sometimes shut off. This is very scary in the middle of the night coming home from work. Seventh issue involves the engine stalling on several occasions, mostly when its pouring down raining.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Engine · 107,000 miles · WA

Engine making noise at start up. Had it looked at by several mechanics, including the local dodge dealer. Said it is probably piston. Had valve covers and heads taken off for possible stuck lifter and found plenty of rust etc. That would indicate water in motor. Several people indicated this is an issue with this model and make with leaking cowling at windshield leaking water onto motor in bad spots causing this failure. Should not be needing new motor at 107k.

Filed Mar 8, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · CO

I was entering interstate 25 north from denver colorado's 19th street when I heard a bang and my 04 durango began to shake violently. I believed it was a tire that popped even though I have new ones and so I continued down the ramp to a safe place where I pulled over and stopped. That's when I noticed the vehicle was still shaking and I then believed it to be a serpentine belt until I turned the vehicle off. I opened the hood and found the belt intact. I then looked under the vehicle and could see engine oil dripping off the back of the engine block & onto the ground from some unknown location of the motor. I attempted to pull the dipstick out of the engine but was unable to because it was stuck until I tried cranking the motor once again which allowed me to then pull the dipstick out, but I was never able to get it back in. I had the vehicle towed to my house and then eventually to a dealership after the motor was attempted to be started again. Flame shot out from underneath the hood along with smoke and a lot of white smoke from the tailpipe. The engine is blown it would have to be replaced and I had 12 payments left for about $5000. I was in a negative equity situation with this vehicle now & I didn't have warranties or any ability to get help from chrysler or dodge. There have been almost a thousand other people to register complaints for the same problem. The engine hydrolocked because water leaks through the cowling between the windshield and the hood and drains all over the entire engine. It happens at approximately a hundred twenty thousand miles, allowing water to get inside the motor eventually. I took care of this vehicle better than any other vehicle I'd ever owned.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · Engine · 115,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving approximately 35 MPH and making a right turn, the engine stalled without warning. The failure only occurred during inclement weather or after the vehicle was washed. The vehicle would only restart after the vehicle was completely dry. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that water leaked into the engine and spark plugs, which caused corrosion. The spark plugs were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MA

Exited from freeway, car stated to shake. Took it to a local dodge dealership in bridgton maine. They have informed me there is a hole in the engine block and cannot be repaired. Have checked the web for any similar issues. Found 100 of complaints for low mileage 2004 dodge durangos with the same issue. Apparently water enters the engine from the outside and rusts a hole in the iron block, thus leaking oil. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/dodge/durango/2004/engine/engine_failure.shtml when these engines seize on a highway result will be deadly. They should be recalled.