2004 Dodge Durango: excessive oil consumption

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 25, 2013 · Engine · 126,050 miles · MO

It started with what I thought was just an egr problem about two years ago, and I replaced it. It kept dying, especially when it was raining pretty good, and I thought something was getting wet. I thought it was the starter or battery, and replaced the battery. A few days before the last incident, it didn't want to start again, so I thought I guessed wrong and was going to replace the starter. May 3, 2013, on the way to work, it started running real rough, and the check engine light started flashing. It was raining very hard. I pulled over, and smelled burned oil, and then saw a multicolored sheen on the wet, rainy pavement. The engine died before I got the hood up. I can start it, but it sounds like someone is inside with a hammer. The guy that towed it said it threw a rod out the driver side of the engine, by the motor mount. It starts, but sounds like someone is inside the engine with a hammer. From what it sounds, the rod broke, and went through the side of the engine. With almost 700 complaints, something should be able to be done. I owe almost $8000 on this car, and it will cost at least half of that to fix it. It isn't worth anything the way it is, and it costs more to fix it than it is probably worth. A simple internet search brings up all of these same symptoms for this 5.7l hemi engine, without even mentioning the issues. There are that many problems with it. It isn't a safety issue when you lose all power steering, brakes, and pour out oil at highway speeds in the rain? Please do something. Thank you.

Filed Apr 17, 2013 · Body, Engine · 120,000 miles · NJ

After a snow storm and the snow melted, when I attempted to start it, the starter was grinding. The engine was hydrolocked and broke the connecting rod for #3 cylinder. Subsequent investigation turned up a tech bulletin (not mandatory recall) to replace cowl at the base of the windshield due to water leakage onto the top of the engine which can cause misfiring. I never received notice of this tech bulletin or the potential catastrophic consequences of not implementing it. There was no indication the defective cowl could cause total engine failure in the tech bulletin. The melting snow seeped into the #3 cylinder, possibly from a failed intake manifold seal or warped intake manifold (yet to be determined), and caused hydrolock. I found evidence of a small amount of water in the oil pan which leaked from #3 cylinder. I also found water under the intake manifold near the #3 cylinder. This is a safety issue because a broken connecting rod usually punches a hole in the block causing oil to spill on the road! This was a 5.7l hemi. The engine needed to be completely rebuilt.

Filed Nov 11, 2012 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MO

Main bearing spun and lifter stuck on engine. No warning sign with low oil light, no funny noises, the car just died on me after stopping at the bank and starting to pull away. With such a common problem why isn't dodge stepping up to help with these bad engines? It's a shame.

Filed Aug 18, 2010 · Engine · 100,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the oil warning light illuminated and there was an unusual ticking coming from the vehicle. The vehicle then stalled and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to her residence where it was examined by an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised that there was a thick layer of burned oil sludge on the engine valve covers. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

Filed May 21, 2008 · Engine · 148,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving at an unknown speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into the nearest service station to check the oil. She added one quart of oil as indicated by the oil dip stick. She resumed driving and after approximately five miles, the engine began knocking. She pulled to the side of the road and called a tow truck to have the vehicle towed back to north carolina. Once in north carolina, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that a new engine was needed. The failure and current mileages were 148,000.