Dodge›Durango›2004›3.7L/dodge/durango/2004/3-7l/

HB platform

2004 Dodge Durango — 3.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Durango 3.7L.

Body SUVEngine 3.7LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Dodge Durango is an HB-platform SUV that pairs its 3.7L engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 14 city, 19 highway, and 16 combined mpg and requiring 5.0 quarts of 10W-30 API motor oil at service intervals. With 1,114 owner complaints and 9 recalls on record—engine issues leading the complaint areas—this model year occupies the upper-middle band of the Durango's reliability history spanning 1997 through 2026, well below the 1999 peak of 2,043 complaints but far above the 1997 low of just 4. That positioning points to a model year with significant but not worst-case reliability concerns, meaning prospective buyers should scrutinize engine condition above all else when considering one.

Model year2008 2005 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque135 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04781452BF. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245-70R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04781452BF alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter	53032527AE
Spark plug	68303913AA alt SPZFR6F11G
Battery	BB65F121AA
Front wiper blades	05135560AA alt 05135561AA
Serpentine belt	53032805AB alt 53032817AB
Thermostat	68174083AA alt 52028898AJ

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	201.2 in
Overall width	76 in
Overall height	74.4 in
Wheelbase	118.1 in
Curb weight	5079 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 64.2 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	14 / 19 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.5
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	8.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs / 11 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	130 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in / 0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.001 in / 0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.1 in / 0.87 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.1 in / 0.87 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.039 in / 0.803 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1	Tighten bolts A - L to 40 ft. lbs.	40 ft. lbs
2	Tighten bolts 1 - 10 to 25 in. lbs.	25 in
3	Turn bolts 1 - 10 an additional 90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	Tighten bolts A1 - A6 to 20 ft. lbs.	20 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows that after a steady decline in complaints from a peak of 2,043 in 1999 down to 338 in 2003, the 2004 Dodge Durango marks a sharp reversal with 1,114 complaints and the generation's highest counts of recalls (9) and investigations (9) up to that point. Positioned at the start of what appears to be a new generation, 2004 suffers from severe teething issues, notably 74 fire complaints, 45 crash complaints, and major problems in the engine (258 complaints) and air bags (112 complaints). Compared to the preceding 2003 model, 2004 triples the complaint volume and nearly doubles the investigations, setting the stage for an even worse peak of 1,567 complaints in 2005. The data does not specify the root cause of these failures, but the sheer volume of safety-related complaints is alarming. Given this steep spike in federal records and severe safety metrics, the 2004 model is a risky purchase, and you would be better served by a later year in this generation, such as the 2007 model which saw complaints drop to just 275.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,114

Owner complaints

45 involved a crash · 74 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine258

Engine & Engine Cooling203

Electrical System119

Air Bags112

Power Train58

Vehicle Speed Control23

Electrical System,Engine17

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V824000EquipmentReported 21/12/2017

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… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler…

16V352000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/05/2016

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… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 81 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100645	2025-08-15	Unknown Or Other	Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
101232	2024-10-29	Power Train	Plate - Planetary
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
9001784	2021-02-22	Power Train	Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Durango. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt HB-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04781452BF Engine air filter 53032527AE Spark plug 68303913AA Battery BB65F121AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Durango 3.7L take?

5.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Durango have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.7L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.