I have a 2004 dodge durango slt 5.7l hemi. Never had any big issues with it until in 2014 I was driving home from work on the highway when I heard a loud bang and loud knocking noises followed shortly by an abrupt shut off. I tried immediately to get to the side of the road but when I lost power steering from the engine ceizing and couldn't correct myself enough so I went down the hill off the side of the highway while trying to break with no brake booster anymore as well. I ended up running into a couple small tree's and finally stopping . Air bags didn't deploy and I only jammed my finger and hurt my back some but I only missed a larger group of tree by inches. My front bumper was ripped off, my drivers side headlight was broke as well as my grille and my windshield cracked. I took it to my mechanic and found out that the engine "hydrolocked" and a piston rod punched through my engine and broke a lot of other things internally. Needless to say the engine is gone. After doing some research I have found that there are hundreds more people that had this happen to their 04 and 05 dodge durango with the 5.7l hemi. Apparently the water runs right down onto the engine and pools up and the intake is faulty so it sucks that water up and causes a catastrophic hydrolock with the engine which could kill someone if they lose power steering and power brakes within a second. I've been trying to save to get a new engine (which will cost about $3800 alone) because I bought this for too much and neither dodge or my insurance would cover it so it's now a pile of scrap until I hopefully can get a new engine or have dodge buy this death trap back. Dodge needs to buy these back or fix them! This is by far not an individual case and it is very dangerous and costly!
2004 Dodge Durango engine complaints
Page 4 of 20: complaints 71 to 100 of 575, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle shook before suddenly shutting off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure occurred on multiple occasions during rain weather conditions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 11/06/15*lj the consumer stated the repair garage stated the vehicle needed spark plugs, coils and wires. However, another establishment stated everything was ok. Updated 12/10/15.
One random day..as I started my durango, it started making a fast clicking sound from the engine. Seems to driver and idle fine,but it isn't a normal sound since I have had this durango a while and never heard it till now. To find out its on the passenger side..been told its the exhaust manifold. Takes a few mins,but goes away about 90%.the colder it is outside the worst and louder the noise is.I searched online about this and looks like I am not the only one and supriseing its not a recall. I was told by a shop I have a broken stud bolt and will cost.1200-2000. I don't have that kinda money.so is there a way I could get help getting this fixed? Because it is possible it could mess up the piston on that side of the loos manifold. Also received a letter that I have a recall for the driver airbag inflator..waiting for my dealer to call me back for a appointment.
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.
Aug 21 @ 1030am. My fianc, our daughter and I were about to leave our home. I went to the car and strapped our daughter into her car seat while my fianc had bags at the front of our apartment building. Turned on the car it struggled to turn over, went clunk clunk clunk. I turned it off. Called my fianc to come up to our parking spot to have a look. He couldn't see anything immediately. Called a tow but in the meantime a friend who knows a bit about cars came by, looked under the car and found pieces of the engine as well as leaking engine oil under the car. The discussion was that it had blown a rod and the engine was done. At this point in time I can't afford to get it worked on, so it is still sitting in the same place. The description is so similar to other reports of a rod going through the engine block. Luckily we weren't on the road driving when it happened and everyone is safe. For a problem like this that is obviously recurring due to the engines being defective how can dodge not still be responsible.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated, the vehicle violently shook and stalled. The contact discovered that the cowl screen needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. The VIN was not available.
We purchased a 2004 dodge durango slt 4x4 sport utility 4-door about a year ago. We noticed that when we went through a car wash it would stall out. It progressively got worse and every time it rained it would stall out. Yesterday (8/4/2015) it started to make a loud clunky noise. The engine hydro-locked and we noticed oil dripping all over. We are lucky that this did not happen while we were driving or someone could have gotten seriously hurt or even worse killed. Now we have a vehicle we are still making payments on and cant even drive. We dont have the money to fix it.
My 2004 durango had sat for 2 days in rainy weather. When attempting to start there was a loud bang or clunk. I attempted to start it again and when it started there was a loud tapping noise. I immediately shut it off. I looked around and under the car found a puddle of oil as well as 3 pieces of iron ,1with a chrysler symbol molded into it. Apparently the engine hydro locked and threw a piston rod through the block. I had it towed to my local mechanic and he verified this was the case. Checking various forums this is a common problem with 04 durangos with 5.7 hemis. Many many incidents some while driving were reported. Weak engine components as well as a poorly designed windshield cowl has contributed to the problem, which chrysler has denied. This is a safety issue as it could happen at any time at any speed. I hope something can be done. Dodge should be held accountable for a poorly designed engine and cowl. Thank you
The engine hydro-locked breaking 2 rods and blowing a hole through the engine block. Caused the vehicle to lose all power and my wife drove off of the road. Luckily she did not hit anything or get injured. The vehicle needed an engine replacement. The local dodge dealership was familiar with the issue as it turns out to be very common with this year vehicle. The windshield dam that directs rain water away from the engine is poorly designed and it allows water to flow right onto the motor. Over time the water rusts and rots the intake manifold bolts eventually allowing the water to flow into the engine causing hydro-lock. This is an issue that chrysler should have taken responsibility for but instead they have not. My wife could have been killed and it cost me $6,000 to replace the motor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling chain sound. In addition, the contact smelled smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower part of the engine block failed due to a hole in the rod. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
When wife started vehicle sounded like hammers in engine results was total engine failure.
When it rains the vehicle starts to "chug". When I approach an intersection/ stop light or attempt to slow down the vehice will cut off. I then have no power and can not restart the vehicle for several minutes. Last week while going to cross the highway in the rain the vehcle cut off in the middle of the road. I was almost hit by oncoming traffic. I have taken it to 2 mechanics and they can not find the problem. It has happened several times over the years but has gotten much worse. I have just been made aware of this site to file a complaint.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving 55 MPH, the contact heard a popping noise coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed oil leaking under the front end. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a spring from inside the motor snapped and the engine needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Upon attempting to start my 2004 durango after 2 days of rain the motor had a loud noise and then after restarting, a loud ticking noise. Shut off had towed to garage, mechanic says rod went through block. Numerous similar complaints..water onto engine top, sucked into intake...boom! Design flaw, cowl lets water onto top of engine, sucked into valves thru intake..boom..engine trashed. Cost of new engine greater than blue book...108000 miles.
The morning after a rain storm, water accumulated on top of the engine and leaked into the engine. A loud clank noise was evident after first starting the engine. Diagnosed to be a bend connecting rod due to hydrolocked engine. No warning or other malfunction was observed before the incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shake. Upon stopping the vehicle at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts; however, the failure recurred whenever it rained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While at a car wash, the vehicle suddenly lost power without warning. The vehicle restarted after several attempts; however, the failure recurred and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
After a rainstorm, I went to start the vehicle. I heard a big bang. Now motor raps and ticks loudly and leaks engine oil. Mechanic looked at it and said motor was blown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving approximately 55 MPH, all of the instrument panel lights disengaged. The contact continued to drive and the lights illuminated after approximately four minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The failure recurred on several occasions. While driving in the rain at 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled after the check engine and the battery warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred each time it was driven in the rain as well as when driven through a car wash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Our 2004 dodge durango was purchase used, from original owner. All service records were given to us, showing proper maintenance of vehicle. I tried to start the vehicle and heard a horrible sound from the engine. After having it towed, I learned the engine threw 2 rods and put holes in the engine block. This is a complete failure to the engine, with the only solution being to replace the entire engine. Based on my mechanics observation, this is a result of water being directed into the engine compartment, therefore rusting and destroying necessary components. When the engine was pulled from my vehicle, it had been sitting in a large amount of water, even after having been garage kept for several weeks. After reading online, this is a very common occurrence with these 2004 durangos. At that, dodge has never issued a recall. I am now out $7900 for a new engine. All I can say, is thank god I was in my driveway when this happened. I am so fearful this will happen to someone while they are driving, resulting in something tragic. Due to the frequency of this failure and dodge ignoring it, it seems as though it will take someone to be killed in an accident before dodge addresses this problem.
Catastrophic engine failure. The same "hemi tick" issue and consequent valve/piston rod failure that has apparently been reported and complained about by thousands of consumers and thousands of times. Mine was failed sitting in my driveway idling. This is a recurring issue that the valve springs, spring seats, and piston rods are made of garbage materials, yet dodge refuses to acknowledge or make any effort to make right. This is a major design defect and needs to become a recall.
After a thaw of snow and a early morning rain, went to start durango and would not turn over. After a few attempts durango start to a loud bang and rattling. Turned off. Told the engine blew. Month prior to this when it would rain the durango would stall. No one could figure out why. Now what I have been told is hydrolock. Https://youtu.be/9inzyt3jujw.
When it rains water would pour into engine and effect electrical sysytem and cause engine problems engine lock up ,engine would automatically cut off and power steering would lock up while making a turn in my 2005 hemi durango, the engine shut off in the middle of the road.
The vehicle was purchased new back in march of 2005 and has been maintained at regular intervals. Recently when it rained a sputter was noticed and thought to be spark plug wires, which had been changed approximately 1 year prior. Then approximately one month ago we went to start the durango and it would not start. At first it sounded like the starter grinding so I removed the starter and had it tested and it fine. I attempted to turn the engine over by the crankshaft bolt and the engine would not move. I removed the spark plugs and found that the #7 spark plug had ice on it. The cylinder was found to be full of ice. The following day the ice melted and the engine moved and ran. The truck drove fine with no issues after that. I did some research and found many complaints of the engine hydrolocking due to a failure in the cowl which allowed water to pour onto the engine. The complaints indicated that it was a known problem and that chrysler had been advised of the issue but nothing was done about it. I then found that water was leaking past the cowl and the wiper arms. On march 17, 2015 the durango again made the grinding noise when attempting to start. The #7 cylinder and the #8 cylinder had water in them. The vehicle had been sitting for approximately 4 days prior and it had rained while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle would not start with the starter and would not turn by hand when tried at the flywheel. The vehicle had not exhibited any issues prior to being parked and had not run since it was parked and did not turn over at all when we attempted to start it. The engine is believed to be seized and no longer usable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While the vehicle was idling, a knocking sound emitted from the engine without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
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.
The vehicle, which was running fine the evening before this engine failure, was parked outside overnight in the rain. The next morning the vehicle was started and immediately started making loud mechanical noises. The vehicle was turned off immediately and a piece of the engine block was discoverd on the frame and a hole in the engine block was noticed.
After a rainstorm, I went to start my vehicle and it wouldn't turn over. Thinking it was the starter, I replaced the starter and vehicle still would not start. After manually rotating the engine back and forth a few times, the engine started but then had a very loud engine knock. The vehicle was not officially diagnosed by a mechanic but all indications are that it is engine rod failure due to hydrolock condition. This is supported by the idea that the engine would frequently stall during the rain and in the car wash, as many others have reported. It had progressively gotten worse over the course of a year until this happened. Vehicle was sold as-is for repair or engine replacement for fraction of retail value.
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