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 2011 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH the vehicle lost drive power. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled and was not able to restart. The contact observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished. The vehicle was restarted the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator, PCM, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,529. Dodge Dealership who stated that the alternator burned from the inside out and caused additional damage to the PCM. Causing $3,000.00 worth of damage due to the faulty alternator. The FCA refuses to reimburse the contact for damages caused by alternator.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently shift into different gears without warning. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,979.
My stock alternator caught fire, and made my car completely lock up and shut down while I was driving. Upon further diagnosis my PCM was affected. There was a recall for that exact issue and in the year my vehicle was manufactured, yet my car VIN is not included! It's the same issue from the recall
While at speed, the FCW light goes off and the vehicle looses the ability to accelerate. I usually have to pull over, shut down the vehicle, and restart it to continue. I have had all of the recalls completed as soon as possible, and the last one was completed several years ago. Similar things happened previously with this car but seemed to be fixed by recalls. This has only started happening again recently, say within the last month or two, and is happening with greater frequency.
The dealership sold wrecked vehicle without fixing the engine only the body of vehicle was repaired. Engine failure truck cut off while in traffic almost hit another vehicle. Yes the vehicle was repaired @my own experiences, yes the engine light was on ps the vehicle was crash a second time @jerry ulm dodge 2966 N. Dale Mabry
While driving without notice transmission light flashes and the 2011 Dodge Durango will not shift out of gear. I have had this problem in the past and told dealer but they always say they have no codes and on test drive cant confirm the issue. The first time it happened was around the 50 000 mile mark I thought nothing of it back then as I restarted the car it went away. Over the years it go worst to the point that it would happen at least once or multiple times during my daily commute it I told the dealership about it but no codes and they said on a test run no problems. …
Driving through town, every warning light came on and wipers starting going uncontrollably. RPM starting diving to 0 and then back up to appropriate RPM for speed. Other dials and nav/media screen also starting flashing. Tones and lights kept flashing on and off and I immediately proceeded the few miles down the street to drop it off at the Dodge dealership. Vehicle was up to date on all service and recalls, except the fuel pump recall which we were told we were in line for based on parts and capacity issues. I spent $1300 to replace the TIPM to fix 37 out of the 38 codes, and then another $1300 for a new headlight power module (for the last code) which shorted out and, per the mechanic, shorted out the original TIPM (since they are in series with no protection between). The TIPM houses all of these power modules internally, so one bad short on a subcomponent can ruin your entire TIPM. …
I initially bought the 2011 Dodge Durango from gillman Nissan of rosenberg tx. Three months after buying it all of the electrical on the vehicle went haywire while driving on the interstate and stalled out. My husband looked at it and had it towed to gillman Nissan where they determined it was a powertrain issue where it was sent to Dodge. After it was sent to Dodge they stated that it wasn't a warranty issue and forced my husband to pay the towing and an additional fee of $100 to look at it. Later they stated they could diagnose it until they put an alternator in it for $1200, my husband being a mechanic put a alternator in it and they refused to diagnose it nor fix it without paying more. …
The date and mileage above are approximations. I purchased a 2011 Dodge Durango in November of 2012. When I purchased the vehicle it only had about 24,000 miles on it. A couple of months after I got it, I was going down the road and the rpms went crazy. My engine was revving up, but the vehicle was stalled. I had to put it in neutral, then put it in drive to get the transmission to change gear. Since that time, I have had this same problem occur on at least 5 other occasions. The latest incident was on Saturday, 3/7/2015. The rpms were going crazy as if I was gunning the vehicle. The vehicle did not stall, but it was barely moving. I had to stop, put it in neutral, and then put it back in drive. It drove fine after that, but I should not have to stop my vehicle on a public road to get the transmission to change gears. I am very concerned that my vehicle will stall, causing a wreck. …
My vehicle was in motion on a city street when it completely shut down without warning. The engine stalled and there was no power to the vehicle whatsoever. I was unable to steer, brake, put the car in neutral, roll down windows, unlock doors, or have my hazard lights on. I was blocking traffic and had no way to signal to other drivers that my vehicle was stalled in the middle of the road. After having it towed to the dealer, I was told the alternator shorted out, which in turn fried the battery and powertrain module. The dealer agreed to pay to replace the powertrain module at no cost to me but the remaining repairs cost me $1300. Upon doing some research I discovered that as of October 2014 more than 435,000 vehicles were effected by an alternator recall, including cars the same make, model, and year as my own. …
Transmission complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Dodge Durango, 6% of the model year's 800 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Durango transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 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 2011 Dodge Durango transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 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.