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 caught on fire.

Have we mentioned all the reports of complete engine failure due to oil sludge?

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,050 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Dodge Durango brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Dodge Durango Owner Comments

problem #10

Aug 052020

Durango 8-cyl

  • 188,000 miles

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

I took my Durango in for 3 recalls at kelly blue books direction after putting my VIN in for check on website. I went to bill luke 2425 w camelback rd invoice number [xxx] and now my driver seat is not able to be accessed from outside my door by key fob, manual unlock or door handle. My door beeps like its ajar, my tire light is on my dash, the radio cuts out in and out. I spoke with manager 2 times. I called the 800 number he provided. He stated it wasn't their fault and refused to correct it. It was not like that before I dropped it off and I addressed it before leaving the lot. Im supposed to drive across country to mn and be working. Im terrified. My fiance died. A wiring overheating fire on his way to mn and to me. I want my vehicle fixed and safe. My name is [xxx]. 2 recalls were airbags and the other was a wiring issue of overheating and causing a fire. My vehicle is in horrible shape now. It happened 08/05/2020 customer number [xxx] G07 safety recall removed and tested instrument panel cluster. Moved dome light circuit flashed the ccn. Please address the dealership and fix my wiring and door that is not able to be used even to get in now. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #9

Feb 122020

Durango

  • miles
My engine shuts off while I am driving my vehicle. Without warning. This has happened on several occasions. The vehicle comes to a complete stop when it shuts off.

- Stoneham, MA, USA

problem #8

Mar 012019

Durango

  • 153,000 miles
I had stopped at a stop sign and attempted to turn left. As soon as I took my foot off brake & onto gas, car completely stopped and shut off, leaving the car in the middle of the intersection. It was raining & similar has happened twice before during rain. Both previous times though, all electrical systems would work but I would have to wait about 15 minutes until car would restart. This time however, nothing was working, not even hazard flashers. Every time I tried restarting, dashboard lights would blink randomly. I took the battery to be tested, which tested fine. It has now been 3 days and car will not restart, same lighting issues when ever I have the key in the ignition, and nothing electrical is working including the key to unlock the doors remotely.

- Elmer, NJ, USA

problem #7

Feb 202019

Durango

  • miles

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

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.

- Monroe, VA, USA

problem #6

Sep 152018

Durango

  • 120,000 miles
Key fhob's have not been working for a while. Replace battery still not working. Now my shift motor on the transfer case is randomly shifting and locking in 4WD high. This happens while driving down the road. It happens while parked in the parking lot then when you go to drive hard to turn or get out of 4WD. When it locks in 4WD it is nearly impossible to back up. It doesn't seem to matter whether you're parked driving on city streets or on the highway. However, when it happen it can lead to inability to steer and control the vehicle. This is very dangerous and can also lead to substantial costly repairs from being in 4WD and not on the correct surface. Reviewing many on-line forums I'm finding that there are several others that are experiencing the same issue. Although there have been many attempt to correct the problem there seems to be an unwillingness to help or diagnose the issue. Many repairs have been done and has not resolved the issue or temporarily fixs it and then right back to the same issue.

- West Point, UT, USA

problem #5

Jan 042017

Durango

  • 201,000 miles
I have an AWD vehicle. This vehicle has a knob that you can switch to go to 4 lock. My truck has been shifting into this mode all by itself. This is very dangerous as when it does the vehicle kind of locks up and becomes very difficult/impossible to move. I have 4 children and this is our main vehicle that we use. This is ridiculous. When researching this issue, there are a ton of complaints for the same thing. Dodge needs to take responsibility and fix this issue before someone gets hurt. This has happened to me on more than one occasion. Has happened at high speed, low speed, and stationary.

- Turner, ME, USA

problem #4

Dec 132013

Durango

  • miles

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

The black box on the inside of the dash got so hot that it melted off the actuator for the blend door. I currently have no control of my air placement. I was sitting idle with the heat on then noticed a plastic burning smell coming from the dash area.

- Williamston, NC, USA

problem #3

Feb 182013

Durango

  • 120,000 miles
My well-maintained 2004 Dodge Durango slt began doing something bizarre a few months ago at about 120,000 miles. This has 4.7L V8 and the AWD-4hi-4lo 2-speed transfer case. The "service 4WD" and the traction control light began flashing, and it felt like the transfer case was stuck in 4hi with the tires grabbing on a turn. The selector knob on the dash would not function. I brought the truck to my mechanic who checked the function of the transfer case motor, inspected the motor and wiring, and changed the transfer case fluid again. I called my local Chrysler dealer and they advised that they would need to change the transfer case motor. The motor costs $1190 plus two hours labor and two quarts of atf+4 fluid. I brought the truck back to my mechanic and he said there is nothing wrong with the motor or the transfer case or the dash selector knob. He said he believes this is a control module or programming issue. I got a third opinion at my local lee myles. They concurred that there is nothing wrong with the transfer case motor and there must be some issue with the computer, programming, or one or more of the control modules. The truck continues to do the same thing. The malfunction condition exists approximately 65% of the time. I can't afford to bring to the dealer now and spend over $1300 for a repair that I do not think will correct the problem. I have read on many message boards that this seems to be a very common issue with 2004-2006 Durangos and changing the motor, or the switch does not help the situation. I also notice that at times when I open the doors or unlock the doors with the key fob, I can hear the transfer case motor cycling. This seems to be an electrical or programming issue. It is very difficult to turn the wheels at low speeds when the malfunction condition exists and I fear this is straining the transmission.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #2

Mar 152013

Durango 8-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
03/15/20013 I and my son were getting out of the winn dixie, a heavy spoke coming out of the panel. I called fire dept. And triple a to pick up the vehicle, the vehicle shot down complete after that. Wiper when off and light. 03/19/13 for the 2nd time, I took the vehicle to the dealer as per Chrysler instructions ( miami lakes auto mall) to repair the recall G07 back in 2009 or 2010 that was perform there. 03/20/2013 they called from the dealer to pick up the vehicle. When I went to pick up, they told me, they brought the wrong parts with a huge miles they need it to return same and request another one. They didn't knew the miles they put me 94,000 something miles without confirm with us. The assistant service manager was very un professional, he told me that was the computer in other words they didn't knew. At that time they told us me and my husband that the only thing that they found on the car was the brake pad and some other parts that they inform us that needs repair in future date. If we want they can do it for $800, we told no thanks, we will repair same issue when we can. 03/25/2013 the dealer calls us to pick up the car, however the lights on the panel are not working. I explain the dealer & Chrysler how I can drive a car without seeing the miles that I'm going or anything else. That?S not safe for me or the consumers. Of course they don't care, they told me to pay them the repair or drive the vehicle. Which I don't agree cause the vehicle was working fine. What the dealer & Chrysler want is the consumer to pay for the parts that they didn't fix the first time. Something needs to be done before someone is hurt badly.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 152009

Durango

  • 7,500 miles
Within one year of purchasing the vehicle, engine cluster lights started coming on. Air bag warning, ABS, traction control, check engine and brake warning lights as well as the speedometer failing to work. We have had the vehicle in over 12 times in the past 5 years for this recurring problem. The vehicle is now out of warranty but the problem is still happening. I have been told by a non Chrysler mechanic that the harness that goes to the ABS module has a connector near the wheel well. The dealership has tried on many occasions to seal this connector. I understand later models have a corrected harness. The mechanic told me the connector was repaired previously by splicing the wires of the harness near the connector. This was not a factory authorized repair. The connector and the ABS module are once again fried and melted. The vehicle has never had ABS, traction control or air bags working for more than a month after each repair attempt. Since the warranty expired on the vehicle, I have had it in one time for a repeated attempt to fix it. I had a battle trying to get the work done as a warranty issue. They charged me over $300 to trace the problem which it had been in for 11 times earlier. I am through trying to get this dealership to repair the problem. My wife is currently driving a car without ABS, traction control or air bags.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

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