Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving home the steering became very stiff hard to drive , Made it home, power steering pouring out . found out the hydraulic transfer lines had burst Only 100,000 miles on durango. Lucky i was not driving on the express way. dodge durango 2004 5.7 L v8 2wd piece of junk
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled during inclement weather. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The contact also stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was driving unstable and there was a loud abnormal noise. In addition, the steering wheel seized and the brake pedal failed to respond. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and spun around causing it to roll over. The contact crashed into an embankment. The contact was unconscious upon hitting her head on the driver's side window. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, the chest that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,890.
My 2004 Dodge Durango has the 5.7 Hemi. During heavy rains the engine would start to run rough and the electrical system shut down on me three different times in the middle of driving due to the rain. During this electrical shutdown steering was impossible and I would have to stop the vehicle in the middle of traffic. The vehicle did this to me one time in the middle of turning at an intersection. Fortunately no accident occured. I found that the issue was being caused by a faulty seal at the wiper cowl. This leak later blew my engine as the water leak found it's way into the cylinders and blew a piston rod. I was told that this defect has been reported to Chrysler by hundreds of people.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle rapidly and abnormally accelerated when the accelerator pedal was engaged. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that engine oil was leaking from the vehicle and the tie rod was fractured. In addition, smoke and a small fire erupted from under the hood. The contact was able to contain the fire. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic , who advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,271.
Whenever it rains or I go through a car wash my car dies and the service engine light comes on. The steering wheel won't move, therefore I have no control over my car. We were in tennessee the first time this happened and we were coming down the mountain when it died and we lost all control and almost got hurt and almost hurt others.
See first complaint 10237419. I'm having continued front end steering/suspension problems. Had the lower ball joint replaced on 09/28/07. By February of this year I'm experiencing what seems to be the same problems... Clunking sound (metal to metal) that starts when engine area is hot. After 45 minutes of driving. Vibration can be felt in the steering and floor boards. The noise is getting progressively louder and I fear that safety May become a issue. The Durango makes a sound something like the tire and rim is going to vibrate right off the vehicle. I'm now on my third mechanic....richmond, ca. Hilltop Dodge, who test drove my Durango and heard the sound on 08/12/08. They inspected the front ball joints, tie rods, and assured that each area was tight . They deemed that the vehicle is safe to drive, but weren't sure of the problem. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. While turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The failure occurred whenever the engine was operating at relatively warm temperatures. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures, but they were unable to locate the cause of the failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and the contact was informed that the inner tie rods failed. The entire tie rod system required replacement. The authorized dealer stated that the part for the repair was unavailable due to a massive back order. The repair part has been modified six times. The vehicle is not being driven due to the safety hazard. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 76,000.
Within the first 30,000 miles I noticed an oily substance on the floor of my garage underneath the rear of my Durango. I took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the rear pinion seal was bad and had to be replaced. The seal was replaced and 13,000 miles later I noticed the same oily substance on the garage. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told the rear pinion seal had gone bad again. The first time was covered by the warranty and was at no cost to me. The second time was past 36,000 miles but still within my 75,000 mile warranty. I was informed that since it was past 36,000 miles I would have to pay a $100 deductible. I do not haul things with my vehicle and do not understand why the seal continues to go bad.
I have had numerous engine stalling/loss of steering problems with my vehicle once the mileage exceeded 70,000 miles. It has stalled while stopping at a stop sign, upon accelerating into a turn, and many others. After diagnostic testing, we replaced 2 o2 sensors and the stalling still occurs. After a second diagnostic testing, we replaced all the spark plugs and ignition coils and the stalling still occurs. After a third diagnostic testing, we replaced the fuel pump and the stalling still occurs. Now the diagnostic testing indicated we need to replace the EGR flow sensor. I currently have 74,836 miles. I have spent approx $1000 in parts alone to repair these items and the problem is still not fixed.
NHTSA investigations
Steering wheel and shaft bolts
On October 26, 2005 odi opened pe05-056 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering wheel or steering shaft coupling bolts in model year (my) 2004 and 2005 Dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 Dodge dakota pickup trucks manufactured by daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc).during pe05-056 odi identified 3 owner complaints to odi or dcc, 21 field reports to dcc and 142 warranty claims related to…
Steering wheel and steering shaft bolts
On March 9, 2006 odi upgraded preliminatry evaluation pe05-056 to engineerning analysis ea06-004 to investigate allegations of loose or missing steering shaft coupling bolts and steering column retaining bolts in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Dodge durango sport utility vehicles and my 2005 through 2006 Dodge dakota pickup trucks.either condition could result in a loss of steering control.although odi identified…
Steering complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Dodge Durango, 3% of the model year's 1,115 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Durango steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 Dodge Durango, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Durango steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.