2004 Dodge Durango: check engine light

Filed Jul 8, 2022 · Electrical · FL

While driving in rain my car stalls and gets shaky. I had it cut off in the midst of driving which can cause harm to myself and others. The cowl doesn’t protect the components under the hood from moisture when it rain causing my vehicle not to function properly. As a result of this my engine light has displayed but goes away when it stops raining. Not a safe car to drive in the rain.

Filed Jun 16, 2020 · Electrical · 147,500 miles · VA

Transmission motor case actuator switches on and off on it's own or when I hit the unlock button on the remote. The svc 4wd/4lo service engine lights come on and off at random times as I am driving. At times it won't move although everything is on and was running fine a moment ago especially when you come to a stop or slow down.

Filed Oct 16, 2019 · Engine · 174,000 miles · MT

Bought the car used in 2014. Always had misfire/rough running problems in heavy rain or a car wash. In may 2019, driving in the rain, the engine failed catastrophically. Research on line and my own repairs discovered a flaw in the first generation cowl grill. It allowed water to flood the top of the engine. A leak in the intake manifold gaskets allowed the water to enter the engine, causing it to hydrolock. It broke a connecting rod. It did however still run, but was very noisy. The intake leak was not noticed in any other conditions, nor was the check engine lamp on prior to this event. The engine did not use oil or make any other noises prior to this event. It has about 175000 miles.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Engine · 130,000 miles · GA

I have experienced this incident several times. When it rains really hard or when the car is taken through the car wash, some how the water reaches the motor. It will start acting up (stalling) and have trouble "going." it will then trigger a check engine light and the motor will die. I have had the check engine light checked while on and spark plugs replaced per the check engine light. It is very difficult to plan any type of trip with the threat of rain while driving for fear of breaking down. The car wash will completely kill the motor and takes several times to re crank. Once the car is dry, it runs perfectly. I have red several similar issues online.

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

I am original owner and love my durango but since I have owned it I cannot drive in rain. The vehicle sputters and dies and check engine light comes on. I found several places online of people with same complaint and the issue is the original cowl. I looked and mine does not have a taller ridge around the wiper bolts or a ridge to divert the water from running into my engine. I need the 2nd generation cowl that was improved part #55362453ak our family always buys dodge, my husband has the 1500 truck as well as my daughter. I don't understand why dodge has not put a recall out on this issues that so many are complaining about. I have taken my durango several times to the service dept. And they could never find the problem but online after seeing everyone with same issue and how they are repairing I know I need this part. I ran water directly over the windshield and as it went over the existing cowl it did indeed dump into my engine and started sputtering and shut off. I tried to find the part but they are costing $180 with shipping and another $130 to have installed. I need this part like so many other dodge owners and there should have been a recall for this ongoing issue. It is not safe for us because the vehicles stall in traffic and we have to avoid collisions with other drivers as well as creating traffic jams. I have to keep my vehicle parked under a roof to avoid rain and I cannot drive when it is raining. This has been an ongoing issues since I have owned from 2004 to present.

Filed Sep 13, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 160,000 miles · LA

My vehicle stalls in the rain. It stalls at a stop or rolling speeds. It idles rough first and then stalls or shuts off. Sometimes the check engine light will come on, but not always. This only occurs in the rain. I've had several mechanics look at it, and they can't figure out how to solve the problem. I've spent a lot of money trying to get this fixed. Through online research, I've discovered that many other durango owners are experiencing this same issue.

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 Sep 7, 2016 · Engine · FL

Recently when rain falls heavily the engine starts sputting & cuts off then engine light comes on. Took it to mechanic & they put the machine on it. It shows nothing is wrong. Put keeps doing it only when heavy rains falls. Finally went online to all the other complaints to dodge & found out its the cowling. Changed the cowling but its still doing it. Its a dodge problem but they will not fix their problem & its costing me a lot of money. Dodge needs to do something about this immediately

Filed Jun 6, 2016 · Airbags, Engine · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. The contact recieved notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v770000 (air bags) and 15v313000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. Also, the check engine light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Apr 29, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 96,000 miles · OH

Whenever it rains or I go through a car wash my car dies and the service engine light comes on. The steering wheel won't move, therefore I have no control over my car. We were in tennessee the first time this happened and we were coming down the mountain when it died and we lost all control and almost got hurt and almost hurt others.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Engine · 145,700 miles · TN

After noticing a difference in driving power from a stop the RPM's would almost hit 2k before moving. Engine light came on and said that I had a miss-fire in cylinder 8 and I needed a new ignition coil. Bought new plugs and an ignition coil and proceeded to change them out. The drivers side of the engine plugs still looked clean and new. The passengers side were burnt, had moisture and the cylinder 8 plug was fouled and broke off in the engine. Finished changing everything out and put the truck back together with still no change in codes or power. Found that the starter was corroded and information concerning a bad cowl design causing hydro-locking of the engines. Also replaced the exhaust gaskets 3 times in 5-6 year period each time with broken bolts found. Changed out the PCM, then replaced all the injectors which were found to be cracked and swollen. The truck is still going into limp mode and turned my focus on the transmission (replaced as well) and still having cylinder 8 miss-fire codes.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Engine · IL

I have been battling with my 2004 dodge durango 5.7l hemi for years now. Every time it would rain heavy, my vehicle acted as if it were going to die. It would get very jumpy, and I felt like I had to fight it to keep going. If I got stopped by a light or stop sign, it was horrible. My engine light would come on and sometimes stay on for a day or two. I brought it to different mechanics who could only fine a cylinder misfire when the engine light was actually still on. It seemed like it always went off as soon as I was able to get it to the mechanic. The mechanics were not able to recreate the problem I was having in order to view what the vehicle was doing. I had numerous plugs changed and nothing helped. It has since gotten worse, yet no one can figure it out. It now happens if I take it to the car wash. They are not able to start it after it comes out. They have to try a few times before they can get it going. I decided to do my own research to see if there are any others out there with this issue. I was surprised to find all the information I did and yet no mechanic can find a solution. I came to read about the hydrolock issue on this model. After reading all these complaints by everyone else, I can't believe there wouldn't be a recall on this! I have lived with this issue for at least 3 years dreading every time it rains heavy. It makes me panicked to drive my vehicle in any rain knowing the outcome of all these other people. I can't believe that dodge just let this go on, especially after all the complaints. I have 190,000 miles on it now, it is full of rust (which is another issue that should have been resolved...I have seen so many durangos with rust on the back door by the chrome above the license plate. It starts out as bubbling and just rusts away into big holes), and there is no point to replace the engine. This issue should be addressed by dodge.