2004 Dodge Durango: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Acceleration · 299,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. With the cruise control set for 68 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently an additional 20 MPH without warning. The failure caused her to be pulled over by the police. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact heard an abnormal clunk sound. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 299,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2014 · Engine · 123,000 miles · KY

After making a clicking noise for a couple of days that we had been told was the starter fan (and having it replaced), we loaded up our durango for a week long camping trip 8 hours away. 45 minutes into the drive the durango started "dragging" like it was having a difficult time maintaining speed with cruise control. Shortly afterward, a horrible metal on metal banging noise came from under the hood and I lost all power. On the interstate, at 4 a.m. I dropped from 72 MPH to 0 in a matter of seconds and barely had enough momentum to pull the truck to the side of the road. Oil just poured from under the truck. We had the durango towed home and called our local mechanic. He took a look and informed us we had thrown a rod and complete engine replacement would be needed. We verified this through 3 different dodge technicians who all stated that this was a known issue within the company. They know and have known that the skirting at the bottom of the windshield leaks. They know that those leaks drip water onto the intake valve resulting in water being drawn into the engine and causing engine failure through a rod being thrown. This is not a cheap fix. It could have been through recall or even notification to owners. It could have only cost about $400. But now it doesn't. Now it costs anywhere from $4-6000. Unacceptable.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Airbags · 145,000 miles · MA

I have owned my 2004 durango for three years and love this truck. Unfortunately, the passenger airbag light and instrument panel light keep coming on and off at will. The clockspring is not broken because the radio and cruise control still work while the light is illuminated. As someone else mentioned, the light will go off if you move the wires under the passenger seat. I have read several posts about the seat weights, control module, low battery voltage, clockspring and ecu as possible culprits. The car has also had two recent accidents prior to the lights appearance and the airbags did not deploy either time? My auto body shop and insurance company found this very strange. This manufacturing defect is very dangerous and dodge has had this problem with several earlier model durango and recalled them for defective airbag repair. Durango owners need to keep posting complaints to demand action be taken immediately!

Filed Oct 28, 2011 · Acceleration · MI

I was driving to work going approximately 65 MPH when I put on the break as traffic had gotten a little thick. As I released my foot off of the break the car kind of jumped (similar to when its in cruise control) and I noticed that it was picking up speed by itself. I immediately thought that somehow it had gone into cruise control on its own but when I again tried to put the break on I noticed that the break pedal was a bit resistant and when I removed my foot it again began to accelerate on its own. Still thinking this was a cruise control issue I hit the off button but this did not help. Not knowing what to do and realizing that getting the car to slow down was very difficult I didn't want to exit the expressway and not be able to stop or prevent an accident so I continued my drive to work with my foot on the brake knowing that in the worse case scenario there was a field I could crash into (at my work exit) if I could not get the car to stop. At one point I took my foot off of the break to see if the speed would continue to rise or if it would stop at any point, but after it began to approach 100mph (it was clear that it was going to continue rising)and scaring me even further I put my foot back on the break. Upon exiting the expressway I put both feet on the break and pressed down as hard as I could, only managing to get the speed to about 30 MPH before I put it into neutral and shut it off. I was later told by the mechanic that my throttle was stuck. Needless to say it was one of the scariest experiences in my life!

Filed Jul 26, 2006 · Electrical · FL

Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, and changing from a braking situation to acceleration, the vehicle bucked. For a few seconds, the radio shut off, and the brake warning light and oil warning light illuminated. During that time, the cruise control also disengaged. The vehicle was not taken in for service.

Filed Jan 2, 2006 · Electrical · VA

2004 dodge durange 5.7l hemi. While driving on interstate with cruise control on going 71 MPH, I slowed down to exit on my exit ramp. At approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled (shut down) and I lost all power steering. I moved to side of road, but the vehicle in park and restarted the vehicle.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Transmission · 5 miles · IA

Dt: shortly after purchasing a new vehicle and when descending downhill the automatic transmission slipped. It felt as if it slipped into neutral. This occurred with or without the cruise control switch on. The consumer took the vehicle to a dealer, who test drove the vehicle and determined this was normal. The consumer felt this was a safety issue, and the transmission did not maintain a steady pace. No repairs or corrections have been made. The consumer has not contacted the manufacturer. *ak

Filed Sep 14, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · FL

The vehicle's radio stopped working. *nm when the consumer tried to change lanes, he noticed a delayed reaction from the time he pressed the accelerator to the response of the vehicle. On another occasion, the check engine light illuminated and the transmission down shifted for a few seconds. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and explained all the problems he had experienced and after a diagnostics test was done, the dealer stated the computer displayed a code and they did not know what it was so they erased it. One month later, the consumer experienced the same problem with the radio and when he attempted to place the vehicle in park, the gear shifter did not go into the park position it stayed in the reverse position. The vehicle went back to the dealer and it was discovered that 2 bolts and a bracket were missing from the transmission shifter. The consumer stated the cruise control did not and a new problem had surfaced. There was a warning light on the dashboard that read pass air bag off.