2004 Dodge Durango: engine stalls while driving

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 Oct 30, 2019 · Engine · 161,334 miles · CO

The vehicle will intermittently shut off without warning. Does not sputter or stall out it just shuts off like you turned the key off. No codes thrown so the dealer wont acknowledge it. Vehicle will start right back up but I have seen several complaints where people have wrecked because they lost control of steering and braking. So far this has only happened to me while at a stop light but from other reports it sounds like it can happen at any time.

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 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 Dec 7, 2018 · Engine · 180,000 miles · NE

The vehicle would always drive rough whenever it rained and would even die when going through a car wash. If it started raining while in traffic, I had to keep my foot on the brake and the gas when coming to a stop otherwise the vehicle would stall. After raining all night, I came to start my vehicle in the morning and it only made a terrible clunking noise without starting. Luckily, I was not driving in traffic when the vehicle decided to stop running due to rain, something that a vehicle should not irregularly and suddenly shut off over.

Filed Nov 18, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · PA

2004 dodge durango 5.7 hemi these vehicles are shutting off without warning no steering, brakes lights, hazards, nothing is operable vehicle doesn't stutter or stall at all no waring lights just shuts right off multiple people are reporting the exact same problem this is a serious defect as there aren't any codes or signs of failure

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 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 Apr 7, 2017 · Engine · 96,000 miles · CA · fire

The windshield wiper cowl became defective and let water into the engine compartment, specifically the fuel intake manifold. After about 5 years of random water related stalls (rain,dew,car washes) which could never be replicated by numerous mechanics and therefore not properly diagnosed, water eventually found its way into a piston chamber. While on the freeway in san francisco on march 31,2017, hydrolock ensued and caused the number four piston rod to snap and break through the engine block destroying the engine. I was at the dodge dealership in colma a few weeks prior for an unrelated airbag recall fix and spoke to the a service supervisor about the water related stalling issue. He basically told me to go somewhere else because they only use oe parts and even if they could figure out the problem (no guarantee), they probably couldn't get original parts. He acted like he was doing me a favor! I feel as the dodge and the dealership is negligent. I have found out subsequently that this issue is widely know amongst parts suppliers (specifically used and rebuilt engine suppliers) and has a high rate of incidence according to various internet forums. I have lodged a formal notice/complaint with dodge as have many, many others. I got three quotes for replacing the engine, all were over $6000. The vehicle proved to not be wiorth that cost to fix. I have subsequently donated it to a local charity. This problem definitely deserves a recall, and customers such as myself who have incurred financial losses should be compensated. Thanks

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 25, 2016 · Body, Engine · OH

Gas and body issues: when you go to fill up the gas sprays out. I have a vert strong smell of gas and the lower finder by the wheel well has rusted badly. Motor: whenever there is heavy rain, my car will stop running. Most recently when I turn on the AC or heater the car stalls. I also just recently had to change out a manifold which caused another set of problems. I owned a durango before this one and loved it. This one has changed my mind and I will never own another.