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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,868 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

Nov 102011

Durango

  • miles

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

2004 Dodge Durango. Consumer states brake failure while driving the consumer stated the mechanic found a broken valve which caused the brake failure. When the mechanic contacted the nearest Chrysler dealership to obtain the part, he was informed the part was no longer being manufactured by Chrysler. The mechanic then located a part out of state and had it sent to him, only to find out, the part was not correct due to a certain percentage of 2004 Dodge Durango's being produced as not having pois-traction. The consumer stated Chrysler gave her mechanic the run-around for three weeks.

- Naples, NY, USA

problem #9

Feb 282011

Durango

  • miles
I own a 2004 Dodge Durango and let me tell you the problems I have had with it!! the radiator, throttle position sensor and brakes. The biggest problem is when it rains. The truck just shuts off, no matter where you are when this happens. You could be on the highway going 65mph and it just shuts down. I thank god that I haven't gotten in to an accident yet. It is so dangerous to drive it like that not knowing if when you re out and its starts to rain I head for home because I am so worried. I don't even let me teenage daughter borrow it in cause she is out and god forbid it starts to rain. When it shuts down there are no brakes no nothing. Someone has to do something about this. There are so many complaints and no recalls on this part. That is insane!!!! someone somewhere is going to get killed!!! Dodge - you have to do something!!!!! I will never buy another Dodge again!!!

- Sandy Hook, CT, USA

problem #8

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

problem #7

Oct 202007

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving 20 mph, the contact heard a loud scratching noise when she depressed the brake pedal. As of November 20, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle; however, they stated that the failure was a normal occurrence. The contact stated that the air bag light would illuminate intermittently. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 67,000.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 152007

Durango 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,245 miles
I have a 2004 Dodge Durango SUV, since the day that I bought this vehicle I have complained about the brakes. I have been in several near misses because the vehicle will not stop. I have had it in the shop at least 5 times for this problem. I have had strangers drive it and watched there expressions when they try to stop. When I take it to the shop(Dodge) they tell me that it is within the standards. Most of these situations have occurred when the roads have snow or ice on them. At 10-15 mph the vehicle will not stop it just slides and the front end just shakes like the front end is going to fall off. I have had mechanics tell me that they don't see how I can drive it like I do that they would afraid to drive it. Something has to be done.

- Sleepy Eye, MN, USA

problem #5

Dec 152006

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
I recently got back from iraq on Nov 30th. I needed a family vehicle, aside from our Dodge pickup that has little room for two kids in car seats. I bought the Durango on a Friday. It was used, so it came with a free full detail on Monday. I dropped it off and went to work. After work, I went to pick it up and noticed that the drivers side rear taillight was smashed and the rear bumper on the left side underneath the smashed taillight, was dented! a week later it was all fixed;or so I thought. A couple of days later, I was on my way home from morning physical training, to change into my uniform. I was about to make a right hand turn onto my street, and then it happened. My brakes and steering wheel locked up. I pumped and pumped, but no response. I hit a utility van that was at the stop sign and almost totaled my whole front end. It has taken over a month and a half to get the Durango fixed. At the time of the accident I managed to slow down to 15 mph before the brakes locked up! I am currently receiving chiropractor therapy and on heavy pain meds due to the accident.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #4

Mar 052005

Durango 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Leased Dodge Durango in Dec 2004. Vehicle has been in for service on 7 different occasions: Faulty ABS sensor: Found erratic signal output from right front speed sensor. Removed and replaced right front wheel speed sensor. 4 times on the brakes:1st attempt complaint loud squealing, service center did not find anything wrong, 2nd attempt complaint loud squealing still, brake rotors were glazed they removed and reinstalled front and rear brake rotors and resurfaced to remove glaze, 3rd attempt: Loud squealing still, removed and replaced pads and rotors. Next issue was replacement of transmission valve body: Vehicle stopped working while in route. Next issue was the brakes again which were squealing, they replaced the front and back brake pads and cleaned the caliper sliders. Next issue was right rear axle seal was leaking fluid, they replaced the seal. Days without the vehicle due to stated issues was a total of 41 days.

- Ansonia, CT, USA

problem #3

Mar 312005

Durango

  • 28,494 miles
While driving the 2004 Dodge Durango the consumer tried to brake but the vehicle was not responding.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Feb 022005

Durango 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,438 miles
Our Durango had experienced numerous problems, since we purchased it new in 5/04. The engine surged, it stalled, and it felt like the brakes did not grab in the rear. It also racked up more miles on the odometer, than it actually drove. On 12/16/04 we brought it in to the dealership for a recalled battery cable. The next day the engine caught on fire while driving. It was towed to the dealership, the transmission was replaced, and we picked it back up 12-28-04. On 1-16-05 we had a second fire in the engine while driving. This time it was in the shop until 2-1-05. The dealership overhauled the transmission, but did not replace it. On 2-2-05 again while driving, our Durango's engine caught on fire, this time the fire was so big, and so fast my husband barley had time to get our kid out before it exploded, and burned to the ground. It took the fire department over an hour to get the fire out. I had sent a certified letter to daimler Chrysler, asking them to buy the Durango back under the lemon law on 1-20-05. To this day there has been no response to that letter. My husband and children were almost killed!

- Dixon, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 042004

Durango

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 35 mph brakes failed. The brakes were hard to press. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. But, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

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