2004 Dodge Durango problems
NHTSA has received 1,421 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Durango, and 40% of them involve engine. After that come electrical system (18%) and air bags (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,421 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 65 and 96
- Injuries and deaths
- 56 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 93,000 miles 1,122 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 166 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 71 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 97 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 118 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 153 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 159 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 148 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 101 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 52 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 23 |
| 200k+ miles | 34 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,122 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 93,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 105,000 miles (523 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 65 complaints mention a crash; 96 complaints mention a fire; 56 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 10th most-complained-about out of 25 model years of the Dodge Durango with enough data (524 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge durango. While driving approximately 45 MPH, another driver traveling approximately 55 MPH crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed, but it was already deflated. The drivers of both vehicles died and a passenger in the second vehicle sustained hip and arm injuries. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed.
I was driving on the expressway and dome light came on, and it would not turn off. About a minute later smoke started coming out of the instrument panel and within seconds the whole dashboard was on fire. The car was totaled. This happened while I was driving and I barely made it out w/o getting burnt.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15MPH the vehicle caught on fire. There is possible internal smoke damage to the contact's lungs. When the fire department extinguished the fire the police department filed a report. The fire started with the internal lights and headlights switch. The insurance company determined the vehicle was totaled and are currently inspecting the vehicle. Previously, on multiple occasions the vehicle was taken to the dealership for electrical issues.
The speed control in the durangos with the hemi are unsafe ill set the cruise contol and on a small down grade speed will increast 10 to 15 mile hr on a large hill it runns away on you and you have to all way brake I have returned to dodge 2 or 3 times and they said all the durago with the hemi are like that and its ok that is unsafe and dangerous
After making a clicking noise for a couple of days that we had been told was the starter fan (and having it replaced), we loaded up our durango for a week long camping trip 8 hours away. 45 minutes into the drive the durango started "dragging" like it was having a difficult time maintaining speed with cruise control. Shortly afterward, a horrible metal on metal banging noise came from under the hood and I lost all power. On the interstate, at 4 a.m.