Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Dodge Durango problems
Owners filed 1,115 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Durango with NHTSA between Jan 2004 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (326).
Complaints
1,115
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
45
Reported by owners
Fires
74
Reported by owners
Injuries
42
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine326
- Engine and engine cooling249
- Electrical system243
- Air bags143
- Power train99
- Vehicle speed control49
- Structure35
- Steering31
- Equipment25
- Exterior lighting21
- Fuel/propulsion system18
- Suspension18
- Visibility18
- Service brakes, hydraulic18
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
54
77
60
82
57
46
49
85
78
127
104
129
65
34
20
26
9
4
4
2
2
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 54 |
| 2005 | 77 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 82 |
| 2008 | 57 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 49 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 127 |
| 2014 | 104 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2016 | 65 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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”
Electrical system
243 reports4 crashes56 fires3 related recalls
“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”
Air bags
143 reports20 crashes3 related recalls
“Airbag warning dash light comes on intermittently. The Takata airbag recall has been corrected, but the light still comes on. This warning light first appeared on, or about 6 months ago. I have not taken this vehicle back for dealer to re-inspect the issue. The obvious concern here, is whether or not the airbag will fail, when needed, or the airbag might deploy inadvertently.”
Power train
99 reports5 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle jerked and automatically engaged into four-wheel drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”
Vehicle speed control
49 reports9 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“I was coming home. As I pulled in my garage, hit the brake to stop and put in park. The vehicle started winding up to a point where my foot on the brake didn't matter. It accelerated forward, going through the wall of my garage, through my backyard, thru a chain guard, and into the corner of the museum wall next door. I was finally able to stop it completely by shutting the vehicle off. Despite the speed and impact to the front of my vehicle, the airbags never deployed.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.