Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
Car has a new engine and third water pump. It failed after 5000 miles and engulfed in flames causing the failure of the belt, tensioner, main drive pulley and ac compressor. Today Dodge just recalled these pumps for the very same reason bearing failure and super hot conditions causing fires and failure. I was just redriving along the truck has been running well and showed no signs of issues, no noise, smell, lights or struggle. Car was at normal opperating tempurture and daytime traffic. Stopped for gas stayed for a couple minutes then drive on, within two miles without any warning or noise the car started smoking pulled over and smelled a rubber notices no leaks in the water delivery system oil, trans, or power steering, the belt was red hot and smelled like a house fire car was taken 200 yards to pep boys and repaired at the cost of $1300. …
My 2004 Dodge Durango limited 4x4 5.7 Hemi has experienced the same transfer case issues that many other owners have experienced. The vehicle will randomly try to shift itself into 4 wheel drive low without the driver changing the switch from the AWD to the 4lo position. Fortunately we were moving slowly when it occurred but this could be very dangerous at higher speeds as all four wheels lock up and the vehicle cannot be turned. After reading all of the complaints about this issue I decided not to attempt to have it repaired as many owners have stated that dealers have replaced very expensive parts such as the transfer case, transfer case shift motor, and transmission control computer without the problem being resolved. I elected to disconnect the transfer case wiring harness as I was 1000 miles away from home on vacation with my family at the time and needed to drive home safely. …
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. …
My 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7l AWD is engaging in four wheel drive at high speeds on its own on the interstate. It made a very loud grinding and clunking noise, the service 4wd light will come on and then turn off and then the 4wd lo light will come on and turn off. I was forced to pull off the road and it felt like the car was stuck in four wheel drive and will not come out. I tried to put it in gear while just sitting still and it just makes that grinding noise. I had to have the car towed as I am afraid that driving it would cause myself or others physical harm. Please consider looking into this matter because as I am reading on several Dodge forums this is a common problem and can be very serious to drivers and others. I have read that there are several problems with the transfer case in 2004 and 2005 Dodge Durango. …
Key fhob's have not been working for a while. Replace battery still not working. Now my shift motor on the transfer case is randomly shifting and locking in 4wd high. This happens while driving down the road. It happens while parked in the parking lot then when you go to drive hard to turn or get out of 4wd. When it locks in 4wd it is nearly impossible to back up. It doesn't seem to matter whether you're parked driving on city streets or on the highway. However, when it happen it can lead to inability to steer and control the vehicle. This is very dangerous and can also lead to substantial costly repairs from being in 4wd and not on the correct surface. Reviewing many on-line forums I'm finding that there are several others that are experiencing the same issue. Although there have been many attempt to correct the problem there seems to be an unwillingness to help or diagnose the issue. …
Started car for first time after bad rainstorm over weekend. Heard very loud clanging noise. Hole in oil pan, oil leaked out everywhere. After taking apart the motor, service center discovered a rod shaft had sheared in half and shot through the engine block and oil pan. Discovered it was caused by water getting into engine through spark plugs. Because of this, the warranty company won't cover an engine replacement. We have taken in this vehicle to same service station before over the two years we have owned it because it would stall while driving in bad rainstorm. Could never find a problem. Read a lot of articles online attributing all of this to a design flaw in the hood of this vehicle. I know we are not the only owners of a 2004 Dodge Durango who have experienced this. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically. Additionally, the transmission would slip and the vehicle would engage into any gear independently. The contact also stated that the engine rpms would increase excessively and the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal noise when first started. On one occasion, the contact secured the vehicle in park and exited when she noticed the vehicle had rolled away. The contact was able to re-enter the vehicle however, it proceeded to crash into a tree. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle had been taken to an authorized dealer multiple times where the fuel pump and the alternator was replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76000.
As I was turning from the light and preceded to accelerate not even doing 5-10 MPH, I heard a sound, which I thought was a blown tire. I turned off the truck to see if I had a flat tire. None of the tires where flat. So I called my husband, he looked at it, thinking it was the throttle body, due to the light that flashed on the dash. So he bought a new throttle, that as well as new spark plugs, and still nothing. It seems it wants to start, but isn't starting. So if this is the hydolock that is causing water to flow into the engine, you all need to pay for this. I have heard that you all know about this issue and has done nothing about it. Lawsuit? I hope not. I just want my truck fixed, because I really like. Please get in touch with me as soon as possible.
Our 2004 Dodge Durango was in our driveway in park, the engine turned off, radio on, both front doors open and keys still in the ignition. The truck had been sitting there for 5 minutes or more till I got my neighbor to help me unload a grill out of the back. My wife hopped into the passenger side to turn the radio down when the truck began to roll forward while in "park". My wife was knocked out of the truck and was hurt badly on her leg and it ran into my neighbor's car then rolled into the street. I ran after the truck to stop it from going any further, I stepped on the brake then looked at the shift handle and it was still in "park".
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALL
On May 16, 2005,odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-027 to investigate complaints of engine stalling in model year 2004-05 Dodge durango suvs and Ram 1500 series pickups equipped with the 5.7l v8 engine.information provided by daimlerchrysler during pe05-027 indicated that a large percentage of the complaints are related to an idle undershoot condition that May cause the engine to stall during turning…
ENGINE STALL
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under TSB #18-013-05 show that…
Transmission complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 99 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Dodge Durango, 9% of the model year's 1,115 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Dodge Durango transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.