2004 Dodge Durango Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Durango.

20032005
Complaints
1,420
Crashes
65
Fires
96
Injuries
56
Fatalities
2
Recalls
4

Worst 2004 Dodge Durango Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1326 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:121,553 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:9
#2171 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:81,829 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:29
#3155 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:81,620 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:11
Considering a 2004 Dodge Durango?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Dodge Durango.

Engine Problems
326
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
9
Avg Miles
121,553
Electrical Faults
171
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
29
Avg Miles
81,829
Engine & Cooling
155
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
11
Avg Miles
81,620
Airbags
136
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
Avg Miles
134,369
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
76
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,025
Transmission / Drivetrain
64
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
124,763
Unintended Acceleration
41
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,545
Instrument Cluster
37
complaints
Crashes
Fires
14
Avg Miles
50,307
Automatic Transmission
26
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,530
Steering Defects
25
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
84,062
Headlight/Taillight Failures
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
122,380
Fuel System
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
113,516
Body Structure
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
112,250
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
11
Avg Miles
46,976
Structural Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
82,968
Other Equipment
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
61,090
Interior Lighting
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
68,294
Gasoline Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,826
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
125,786
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
122,403
Hydraulic Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
31,446
Tire Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
24,578
Electrical System:Wiring
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
36,507
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,790
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
22,251
Electrical System:Ignition
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,940
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
15,043
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
44,100
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,049

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Dodge Durango. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Dodge Durango

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~9,038,126 vehicles.

17V824000Other Equipment
~61,791 affected

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

16V352000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~4,648,270 affected

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.

15V313000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~4,077,169 affected

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.

14V770000Airbags
~250,896 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500, 2004-2005 Dodge Durango, 2005 Dodge Dakota, 2005 Dodge Magnum and 2005 Chrysler 300, 300C and 300 SRT8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Other Dodge Durango Years

2004 Dodge Durango — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Dodge Durango reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2004 Dodge Durango has 1,420 NHTSA complaints, 65 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 326 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Dodge Durango?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (326 complaints, avg 121,553 mi); Electrical Faults (171 complaints, avg 81,829 mi); Engine & Cooling (155 complaints, avg 81,620 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Dodge Durango?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,584 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Dodge Durango include 65 crash-related reports, 96 fire reports, 56 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Dodge Durango have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,038,126 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Dodge Durango?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Durango reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2004 Dodge Durango

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99