NHTSA Complaint #10743971 — 2004 DODGE DURANGO

THE ENGINE HYDRO-LOCKED BREAKING 2 RODS AND BLOWING A HOLE THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER AND MY WIFE DROVE OFF OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR GET INJURED. THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE AS IT TURNS OUT TO BE VERY COMMON WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD DAM THAT DIRECTS RAIN WATER AWAY FROM THE ENGINE IS POORLY DESIGNED AND IT ALLOWS WATER TO FLOW RIGHT ONTO THE MOTOR. OVER TIME THE WATER RUSTS AND ROTS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE WATER TO FLOW INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING HYDRO-LOCK. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUT INSTEAD THEY HAVE NOT. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND IT COST ME $6,000 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR.