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 2006 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In the winter of 2020 i had to use my 4wd lock in my durango. It never come out of 4wd lock. As a former ase technician and auto center manager I have to say dodge has a mess on their hands. 1st off its ridiculous to stop the flow of technical information to the owners of chrysler vehicles due to globalization!? I have been working on this vehicle for months as my patience allows. All testing and troubleshooting place the issue back into electrical issues within these durangos. This is a dangerous problem so many people own older dodge & chrysler products affected by this transfer case problem, recall it and get it done! Now it has to go to a chrysler dealer to have the codes cleared by a dodge scanner. Issue with that is the local dodge dealer in the village i live is not known for honesty. I took my durango there when i had issues with security system. …
My 2006 Dodge Durango stalled out in the middle of traffic and caused me to be injured in a rear end collision because my PCM shut my engine down per design of the vehicle because my oil sending unit had a faulty wire and my PCM thought I didn't have any oil in my car which disabled my car completely by design of the manufacturer to keep my engine from damage because it thought I had. O oil. I have a faulty design product and not enough warning. I have been off work for a year with the injuries from the accident and luckily I wasn't hurt worse. My car shut down immediately without proper warning someone could be killed I have photos and a service repair documents stating the faulty oil sending unit disabled my vehicle..updated 09/21/17 updated 10/23/17..updated 11/13/2017 updated 7/18/18
While driving down the highway, without any warning, my 2006 Dodge Durango stalled out. I still had radio and power steering, so I pulled over to the side of the road. I restarted my Durango, the check engine light was on, but was able to continue without any further issues. The same type of issue happens sporadically, regardless of weather or speed. There are times, after sitting at a light or stop sign, when you press the gas to go the gears are slow to engage and actually start moving. Sometimes the Durango shifts roughly as you accelerate or decelerate. As time has gone on the problem has become more persistent. I finally took my Durango in to our mechanic and he replaced the EGR valve and the throttle position sensor. Within 2 weeks of these parts being replaced, my Durango again began stalling out. …
2006 Dodge Durango shifts out of gear without key installed in ignition. My three year old son climbed up into the driver seat and shifted the vehicle into neutral without a key, and rolled down a hill with just him in the car and crashed into a tree. No one was seriously hurt but the circumstances could have been alot worse. There is a recall out there for this year, make , and model Durango but my VIN number was not included, the recall is for a "shifter pawl improperly installed". The vehicle is in the shop being repaired and photos of the item will be taken when the vehicle is torn apart. For some reason Chrysler denied my claim to assume financial responsibility because they stated my vehicle had 90,000 miles and was not covered under factory warranty, although it was there mistake that caused the accident to begin with. …
While driving my Durango will just shut off (it doesn't run rough or sputter, it just shuts off) leaving me with no power steering or braking. I will coast to the side of the road, put it in park, then try to start it again. Most times it will start right up and other times it May take 2 - 5 minutes. This will happen about once or twice a month for the past couple of years. Otherwise it runs fine before and after it shuts off on me. One oddity that I notice is that all the gauges seem to work fine except the speedometer drops to 0 even through I am still coasting along. The engine light does not come on during this. This is very dangerous as I have almost hit other cars before since I loose my steering and braking abilities.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. While driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, it failed to remain started. The vehicle was towed to stateline Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (located at 800 gold hill rd, fort mill, sc 29708, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the ECM and PCM module needed to be reprogrammed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the part to repair the vehicle was out of stock. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
The 4wd svc light will come on at random while driving down the highway at various speeds. Sometimes it will be shifting into 4x4 on it's on and when I make a turn, I can feel the 4x4 working without ever physically turning it on. Other times, I can hear the transfer case motor making noise for about 2 seconds when I open the door or press the key fob button. I pulled a trouble code of c1404. Further research of this code and issue results in over 500 complaints online. It seems to be a common problem that should be fixed by the manufacturer before there is an accident. This just started on my 2006 Dodge Durango on 01/11/2021
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. While operating the vehicle, the power train erroneously switched to the 4 wheel drive low position and the traction control and 4 wheel drive sensor lights illuminated. While stuck in the 4 wheel drive position, the vehicle became very difficult to steer and failed to accelerate normally. When refueling the vehicle, fuel would spew out of the filler neck. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the 4-wheel drive option would inadvertently engage. However, when the 4-wheel drive button was depressed to disengage, it failed and the check engine and service 4-wheel drive warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the actuator failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Dodge Durango. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the rpms increased to 3,000 as if the vehicle downshifted. The 4lo warning indicator illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and the "service 4wd warning indicator illuminated as well as the stability control warning indicator. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
Transmission complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Dodge Durango, 6% of the model year's 852 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Dodge Durango transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-460 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Dodge Durango transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 112,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.