2004 Dodge Durango: harsh or hard shifting

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 6, 2017 · Acceleration · 299,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. With the cruise control set for 68 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently an additional 20 MPH without warning. The failure caused her to be pulled over by the police. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact heard an abnormal clunk sound. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 299,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2015 · Engine · 169,320 miles · MO

2004 durango 5.7 every time we have a hard rain the motor stalls or runs extremely rough and we have to pull to the side of the road. I travel for work, and received a call from my wife that the durango would no crank over but was not caused by battery issue as it had just been replaced. Had several people look at it and they said motor was locked up (had rained the night before). Let it sit until I got home and it started up with a little kick back against starter. Let it warm up and went and had the battery and starter checked, both were within specification for voltage and amp draw. Drove on county hwy with 45 mile speed limit approx. Three miles to the bank. Leaving the bank made a right turn onto main street and the motor went thump, clunk, bang and died. Coasted off road and looked under vehicle thinking we had thrown a belt or hit something. Saw oil dripping from passenger side of motor and found a hole in the oil pan with part of the connecting rod sticking through it. I used to be a mechanic so I know what I was looking at. After doing research I have found that the rain gutter channels water onto the top of the motor where the plastic intake manifold has cracked allowing water into the motor, this water can become trapped in the intake manifold and be pulled into the motor while it is running and you are making a turn. Talked to my local dodge dealer, they said they had never heard of such a problem but kindly told me $8000 to replace my motor. Talked to the parts department and they did not have any information on an updated rain gutter, even though there appears to be a service bulletin on this problem. The number of complaints I have seen says to me that there should have been a recall on this problem as every thing I have read says it is quite common

Filed Oct 26, 2015 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · VA

My 2004 dodge durango 5.7l awd is engaging in four wheel drive at high speeds on its own on the interstate. It made a very loud grinding and clunking noise, the service 4wd light will come on and then turn off and then the 4wd lo light will come on and turn off. I was forced to pull off the road and it felt like the car was stuck in four wheel drive and will not come out. I tried to put it in gear while just sitting still and it just makes that grinding noise. I had to have the car towed as I am afraid that driving it would cause myself or others physical harm. Please consider looking into this matter because as I am reading on several dodge forums this is a common problem and can be very serious to drivers and others. I have read that there are several problems with the transfer case in 2004 and 2005 dodge durango. A big company such as dodge should investigate the need for a possible recall since these problems are being addressed on dodge forums. As far as getting it fixed or trying to figure out how to get it fixed is the next problem.

Filed Oct 11, 2015 · Engine · 160,131 miles · NY

Just purchased this vehicle two months ago from dealer in nj. We had a hard rain about a month ago, and the durango wouldn't start immediately. I turned it over again a few hours later and it started with a hard rumble, but it started up. It drove fine for about a month, and just as the wife and I were leaving a gas station, we drove about fifty feet and heard a loud bang. Smoke was coming out of the passenger side of the engine, and the durango was making a noise like metal was rolling around in the engine. I stopped the car, pulling over to the side of the road. I looked under the durango and saw oil dripping out from the engine. I got under the car to inspect it a little further and saw a dime size hole in the engine block. I got the car towed back to my home as it was saturday and the mechanic was not open. The tow truck driver told me that this was the third durango he picked up that day. Not saying that all of the other cars were towed because a blown engine, but you get the idea. Dealer wouldn't warranty vehicle because of mileage. I couldn't get anyone to warranty the durango because of the mileage being over 150000. Now im told I will have to buy a remanned/new engine for this clunker. I will be making a complaint to the manufacturer. I know it may not go anywhere. I have read all of the complaints here and on the internet, forums, etc. All the result of blown engines due to "hydro-locking", and the wiper cowl defect were water would get into the engine during heavy rains or car washes. I hope our government would intervene on behalf of its citizens and force chrysler to issue a recall or at least be responsible for a defect that they created, but I won't hold my breath. My durango currently has 160131 miles on it, and I guess it's gonna stay that way now because it can't move, and I still owe money on a SUV that I cannot drive. The federal safety agency do the right thing.

Filed Aug 21, 2015 · Engine · 143,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Engine · IN

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Engine · 107,000 miles · PA

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

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Engine · 133,000 miles · TX

Went out to start vehicle in the morning and it would not crank over. Tried several times, it was raining at the time. Left vehicle for a few hours, returned later to start and loud clunk coming from motor. Lifted hood and found intake to be totally covered in water. Water was flowing down windshield and directly over top of motor. Upon inspection connecting rod was broken due to hydro locking. Apparently this is a prominent issue with this model. Engine needs to be replaced.

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Engine · 91,236 miles · NE

While my wife was starting the dodge durango this afternoon, a big clunking noise sounded and it continued on as if someone was throwing rocks underneath my engine. Turns out that a rod had been broken inside my engine. After looking for a new engine on the internet, I am finding out that there are several complaints about this happening to a lot of other people. Why is this not being investigated? I am now part of a long list of dissatisfied customer. I will never buy dodge again and will recommend to anyone else to stay away.

Filed Apr 8, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 158,000 miles · OH

Purchased vehicle on 2/19/13 drove it for 2 weeks. Was driving on the highway and heard a loud noise followed by clunking noise which sounded like a flat tire but wasn't. Took it to my mechanic who told me that the front differential needed to be replaced. Fixed that problem. 2 weeks after that on 3/29 was getting off the highway when I heard another loud noise followed by a clunking noise this time I lost steering and barely made it into a parking lot. Had it towed to my mechanic to find out it blew a rod and needed to have the engine replaced. After having this vehicle for 6 weeks I have had 2 catastrophic failures. My dealership will not help me and I cannot afford to replace the engine on my own. I purchased this vehicle to be a safe and reliable mode of transportation for me and my 4 children. Now I am out $6000 and have no vehicle. Something needs to be done about this. People should not be forced to pay for an issue that is known to be a problem.

Filed Apr 7, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · IL

Purchased my hemi dodge durango 2004, with approx. 90,000 miles on it. Only 20,000 miles into the purchase, turning from a complete stop accelerating into a 40 MPH. Lane at approx. 25-35 MPH, (clunk) after hearing a loud thump, car would not move. Towed to experienced maintenance, contacted my local chrysler maintenance dept., only option to resolve my matter was to replace my now dead 110,000 mile engine with a re built engine at a purchase price of $2,500/approx.70,000 miles. Approx. 15,000 miles and only local driving (3 miles tops/per day), I am experienceing faults which lead me to believe, I will experience this unfortunate problem again. Vehicle also, turns off in heavy rain, air bags alerts are faulty, stereo eqipment faulty, electical seating faulty. Please advise.