Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Dodge DurangoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 1,115 owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Durango. Most complaints involve engine (326) and engine and engine cooling (249). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Dec 2017
Owner complaints
1,115
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported May 27, 2015NHTSA 15V313000

Equipment

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

EquipmentReported Dec 21, 2017NHTSA 17V824000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,115 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2004 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine326
  2. Engine and engine cooling249
  3. Electrical system243
  4. Air bags143
  5. Power train99
  6. Vehicle speed control49
  7. Structure35
  8. Steering31
  9. Equipment25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Durango model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998976
19992,012
20001,097
2001665
2002434
2003339
20041,115
20051,567
2006852
2007275
200897
200919
2011800
2012640
2013640
2014786
2015505
2016161
2017214
2018234
2019145
202056
2021208
202261
202339
202414
20258
202615
Crashes reported
45
Fires reported
74
Injuries reported
42
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

326 reports3 crashes9 fires
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 10 MPH and making a left turn in the rain, the vehicle shut off. There were no warning lights illuminated. While at a car wash, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the water was entering the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 115,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2024EngineODI 11588740

Engine and engine cooling

249 reports3 crashes13 fires
“2004 DODGE DURANGO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY AND THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A CONTINUOUS OIL LEAK. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2018Engine and engine coolingODI 10965491

Electrical system

243 reports4 crashes56 fires
“Recall for cluster, dealership said they could not. Get the parts to fix it.they fixed the airbags said we could pick the car up, called the company that sent the recall letter they said I could buy the part,or I could call other dodge dealerships, I have not had a car since I got the do not drive letter which was in March,I also had to use my AAA to get it towed to fernley which is about 80 miles”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Electrical systemODI 11761744
All 2004 Durango problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Durango 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Durango 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
Durango 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
Durango 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
Durango 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121613$4,800684
  • Durango 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Durango 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Dodge Durango as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 1092
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Durango questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Durango have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Dodge Durango problems?

Owners filed 1,115 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (326), engine and engine cooling (249), electrical system (243). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Dodge Durango get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Dodge Durango at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026