2004 Dodge Durango: engine failure

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 Sep 5, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · TN

Cowl under windshield does not divert water from engine bay. Water pools on engine, getting into the coil-over-plugs (cop) and intake(gasket) causing hesitation stalling and engine failure after being exposed to water. Rain, car wash, using the windshield washer. Chrysler has made 7 different versions of the cowl to address the issue but has never issued an official recall. Those who do not have the latest version of the cowl (part# 55362453ak) have to pay for the part and have it installed or risk having engine failure while driving down the road in the rain. Part that should be included in recall 55362453ak "cowl" this is a known issue reported by "durango" owners that is all over the internet

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Engine · MD

2004 dodge durango. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. *ld the consumer stated the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and did not offer any assistance due to the vehicle being out of warranty.

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 Dec 22, 2017 · Engine · 100,060 miles · OR

Durango slt 5.7l v8 hemi engine hydro locked and threw a rod while the vehicle was parked. The hydro lock issue is widely reported with the 2004 first generation of the hemi engine. However, dodge does not acknowledge this manufacturing defect and safety issue.

Filed Sep 19, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 174,800 miles · GA · fire

Car has a new engine and third water pump. It failed after 5000 miles and engulfed in flames causing the failure of the belt, tensioner, main drive pulley and AC compressor. Today dodge just recalled these pumps for the very same reason bearing failure and super hot conditions causing fires and failure. I was just redriving along the truck has been running well and showed no signs of issues, no noise, smell, lights or struggle. Car was at normal opperating tempurture and daytime traffic. Stopped for gas stayed for a couple minutes then drive on, within two miles without any warning or noise the car started smoking pulled over and smelled a rubber notices no leaks in the water delivery system oil, trans, or power steering, the belt was red hot and smelled like a house fire car was taken 200 yards to pep boys and repaired at the cost of $1300. Should not happen with 5000 miles on the water pump and 20,0000 on a new engine.

Filed Jul 3, 2017 · Engine · 110,000 miles · MI

04 durango slt 4.7 v8. Rattling/rapping noise on start up that worsened through the day. Noise coming from right side of engine bay. Brought to mechanic and identified valve seat(s) in the aluminum head(s) have 'disintegrated' and/or 'dropped' causing the valves to slap on acceleration and multiple other catastrophic engine issues. Fca (chrysler/dodge) has been notified of my complaint and they're fully aware of this fatal engine flaw in their late model v8 engines yet they refuse to acknowledge or even advise owners of repair options. They must be told to go good for this situation. This occurred at 110,000 miles. My options now are: a $2000 engine repair, $4000 engine replacement - or - to 'junk' the vehicle - don't get me started about the [xxx] rust on this thing, either... I feel ripped off from a few different angles here by chrysler/dodge and I know there are thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of fca owners out here who will never purchase another piece of [xxx]from these thieves. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 1, 2016 · Engine · 105,000 miles · AK

My 2004 dodge durango suffered the catastrophic engine failure due to hydrolock from the poor cowl design. I live in bear country, if this had happened while I was in a remote area I could have easily been stranded with 800lbs of claws and teeth. I started the motor in my driveway during a light rain shower only to hear an obvious problem in the engine, it ran for 5 seconds then died. Plenty of vehicles have been affected by this issue, but no recall has been issued. The 2012 hemi had a very similar issue and a recall was issued.

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Body, Electrical · IL

Rod pierced thru the bottom of engine and locked up (110k miles), family on board and happened while turning at busy intersection.. Had to replace engine used( found one with 70k, waiting on this one to do the same) consumes tons of oil. Electrical within driver seat and cd player are faulty/broken. Rust on rear outer wheel wells. (noticed this rust is apparent in every same model make year that I run across)

Filed Dec 27, 2015 · Engine · 177,000 miles · OR

We were very happy with our durango until a few days ago. My husband and kids loaded up a few days before christmas to go drive up the mountain, they made just as far as the neighbors driveway when they heard a loud bang and were able to pull in to the driveway of a neighbor. The engine completly seized, all oil leaked out. The car has always been well maintained. No warning at all! A few days earlier I had drove it to town in the rain and it was idling rough, but the next day seemed fine. Now the engine is shot. We have been having heavy rain for days and looks like water was leaking in to the engine due to a faulty cowl or something, which caused the engine to fail. We had just put brand new tires on the vehicle and just received new tags for it! All this with absolutely no warning! We are just out a vehicle and 2 days before christmas! Had we known this was an issue we would have gladly done everything we could to fix it, but we have only had the vehicle for a few years and had no idea rain could cause our engine to seize up! Thankful it happened close to home and no accident, but very scary when something like this happens!

Filed Nov 12, 2015 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NH

After heavy rains the engine would run rough and then smooth out. Then during one heavy rain I tried to start the vehicle and heard a loud knocking. I brought it to the shop and they determined that it had hydrolocked due to water getting into the intake gasket from the cowl. After two months of agruing with the warranty company and the dealer, the warranty company covered all but 1000 dollars of the engine replacement but the cowl is not replaced. I fear that this will happen again.

Filed Nov 11, 2015 · Engine · 120,000 miles · PA

Engine blew. A rod or something blew without warning through the engine case as I was driving at 35 MPH on straight road on a town street