CarComplaints.com Notes: The second generation Durango was introduced in 2004 and instantly came under fire for, well, catching on fire.

From 2004-2006 electrical overloading in the driver's side instrument panel caused numerous reports of interior fires. The interior infernos became so commonplace that Chrysler eventually issued a recall.

The problems didn't stop there, however. Owners of the recalled vehicles complained about being treated unfairly and given take-it-or-leave-it low ball settlement offers. "They offered me $2000 under NADA retail as a settlement," said one owner, "and have been rude and hostile to deal with." Nothing says awesome service like treating your customers rudely after their cars have already caught on fire.

10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,270
Average Mileage:
97,900 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (5 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
2005 Dodge Durango engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Dodge Durango Owner Comments

problem #9

Jan 042018

Durango Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So, where do i start. Bought this car in 2014 and absolutly loved it. One owner before me, 50,000 miles on the car. First year was great. Then we moved to one of the rainiest cities in the country, and things started getting bad immediately.

The first problem we had was the engine shutting off while in the middle of driving. We took it in to get it fixed and the car ran fine. They couldnt find what was wrong with it. Got in the car to drive home from the shop, and yup, turned off WHILE DRIVING again. This issue ended up getting resolved by the shop.

Fast forward about 2 years. My engine has blown at 95,000 miles. The warning signs? Then car doesnt start in the rain, sometimes, sporadically, over the past 2 years. In fact, it was raining when the car finally sh*t the bed for the last time. We sat at a gas pump for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck. Had the starter replaced. Got the car back, and it was still acting funny. The radio was playing music, but the screen to the radio was flashing as though we kept turning the radio on and off and to cd mode and off again. So we took it back. Once again the shop didnt know what was wrong with it. They replaced the starter again, and when they went to start the car our timing chain was blew. "Jumped time" is what i believe he called it. They said we have to replace the entire engine. The car only has 95,000 miles on it!! At this point i have not recieved any quotes on pricing but seeing as though its a 5.7 engine ive already decided im probably going to have to sell it as is and try to cut the losses on the rest of my car loan.

I dont know much about cars, but i did not expect the engine of my car to blow at less than 100,000 miles.

- Alaina L., Portland, US

problem #8

Jul 022013

Durango LX 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

I have a 2005 dodge Durango 5.7L V8 magnum hemi Iam still paying 300$ a month to the bank I have had it about 2yrs been broke down about 4 months I don't have 2,500 to get it fixed an it really pisses me off I was just driving 1 day all off a sudden started knocking under the hood an then died on me on the highway and had to have it towed was told engine had blowed and I take care of my durango with oil changes and all the keep up and what really gets me going I still owe 5,500 on the piece of sh*t!!! I seen a lot of complaints about the engines on these vehicles I cant even find 1 n my town have to order 1 off line but cant im on a fixed income and cant afford 2,500 to get it fixed I hope there is a recall on these engines to many people having problems if I cant get this solution fixed I will never buy a dodge again thanks for listening to me go on about this but very very upset

- pknece, Chillicothe, OH, US

problem #7

Jan 302013

Durango 2WD 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Always taken very good care of 2005 Dodge Durango, scheduled maintenance etc. all of a sudden heavy knocking noise coming from engine compartment. my local maintenence shop picked up vehicle and informed me that a valve stem or something in the engine broke and will result in having to replace the engine. He called Dodge they said there are no recals and it was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do about it. Whoever it was that suggested class action suit i am game, it seems to me that this has been a problem for many.

Reg

- Reg T., Arlington, TX, US

problem #6

Jan 132012

Durango Limited V8 Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ok, so much with this issue I am going to start from the beginning. Friday, 1/13/2012, yes Friday the 13th at 12:00AM after picking up my son from work my car stalled at light. Now, i am going to go back a bit the year before that i have been in contact with the dealer numerous times about a check engine light on that kept on and off ever so often. I was told it could be a gas cap in which I purchased from them and still the same problem.

After the gas cap situation didn’t work I took this vehicle in 3 times paying a diagnostic cost of $100.00 each time for them to tell me the same thing over but NOW they stated my vehicle needs Catalytic converters. Ok, so, I was told that the converters would be free because the car is still under warranty, until April 2013. So, with all this being said I am at this point today. I am still paying a car note, insurance and the vehicle has been sitting since January 2012.

On that last visit they are now stating I have a blown engine. My check engine light did not come back on until this situation once I parked it had black smoke coming from the back and the burning smell and then all of my lights flickering on and off and this only happen on that day.

I contacted dodge and complained about this ongoing situation with the dealer. they told me it took the dealer awhile to contact them and the dealer told them they wasn’t for sure if the engine was gone like they told me until they break it down for $1000.00 and that’s for me to pay. I think they are crazy. if the converters were placed on the vehicle like they was suppose to than I honestly don’t think my truck would be sitting. I have been a loyal customer of 2 Chrysler/Dodge vehicles for over 10 yrs.

I paid the car off and decided to get a truck wrong move. I have major email communication with the dealer telling me all this time the converters was still on back order from Chrysler and mind you my vehicle never had a problem in almost the 5 yrs I had it. I am a single mom and do not have any extra money to waste . My next move is to contact the Television News Media and a lawyer to see if someone could help me with this situation.

It’s not fair. I have all my paperwork and email conversations in order between myself, the dealer, dodge rep and my statefarm agent. I have plenty.

I will never purchase another vehicle from that company ever!

- constancec615, Darby, PA, US

problem #5

Jul 092012

Durango LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS IN TRYING TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK

EVERYBODY ALREADY KNEW EVERY TIME I WOULD SAY 2005 DODGE DURANGO THE FIRST THING THAT CAME OUT OF THEIR MOUTH WAS HOW MANY

PEOPLE THEY KNEW THAT THEIR ENGINE HAD BLOWN. THERE IS CERTAINLY

SOMETHING WRONG WHEN THE MINUTE YOU MENTION A TRUCK EVERYBODY

KNOWS WHAT"S WRONG AND HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR ENGINE. SEEMS DODGE WILL NOT BE GETTING MY BUSINESS ANYMORE.

THERE IS APPARENTLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE .

- gloriava, Petersburg, VA, US

problem #4

Mar 152011

Durango 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

click to see larger images

blown engine blown engine

Never had a single problem with this truck. Bought it brand new from Dick Greenfield Dodge in Lawrence Twp, NJ. Loved it. Had all the oil changes and service done on schedule at the same dealer. Without warning,engine dies, trying to start it, it makes a real nasty noise in the lower engine. No holes in block, oil pan or anywhere, no water in the oil. 71k on the odometer. 1k above drivetrain warrany. Have it towed to the dealer, after taking one s-load of parts off they tell me the engine is blown and it will cost 10k to fix, by the time I pulled it out of there, their price was down to 6k, still found a better deal from a local repair shop, got a rebuilt engine installed and waiting on an intake manifold. Come to find out, the whole country is out of intake manifolds for this engine. There are over 100 on back order and not time frame as to when they can manufacture enough to handle the demand. What does this tell you? Serious problem, is the manifold defective? Must be if so many people need the same part. Chrysler, where are you? Ive been without a vehicle for 2 months already and no end in sight. Do you think ill ever buy a chrysler product again, yea right!

- Jim G., Hamilton, NJ, US

problem #3

Feb 052010

Durango 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving home the car just quit running. My husband thought it might be the battery or electrical but once we got it home it turned out to be the engine. Without any warning the engine is blown and the truck has plenty of oil what kind of crap is that????? Who is going to do something about this? I am still paying for this car. What kind of recourse do we have as consumers?

- csponable, Seguin, TX, US

problem #2

Dec 142010

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,755 miles

I have a 2005 Dodge Durango. Dodge is ripping us off. This is poorly made truck. First my truck started turning off at a light or when turning into a parking lot in 2006. They suggested I put bad gas in there. I have been buying BP, Shell, or Texaco since I had the truck.Next my throttle sensor went out because the truck would idle fast at a stop. Got that fixed. Now, there is smoke coming from my oil line which is a sign of a crack engine block. I just got my gaskets fixed and that not cheap either. A new engine cost 3,000 to 4,500 dollars!!!! Who has this kind of money??? I truly believe that a class action suit should be done against Dodge. We all have the same issues and yet we don't get recalls on the MAJOR STUFF!!!!!

- elle7411, Mcdonough, GA, US

problem #1

Aug 182010

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

what the hell is wrong with dodge!!!!!? since when does a 20k dollar vehicle blow the engine at 75000 miles. dodge needs to do something about how they vent their crankcase oil. sludge build up took out the engine and this is with routine maintenance. as for all of you with stalling engines, i can help. this has happened to me as well. if you pull the throttle position sensor off and clean it with some electrical cleaner it should go away, but this problem will return about every 6-8months.

- Robert J., Whigham, GA, US

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