Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that his daughter was in the passenger seat when she activated the push start button and the vehicle rolled backward while in the park position. The contact's daughter got out of the vehicle midway while it was rolling backward and sustained scrapes to her knees and elbows. The vehicle crashed into the neighbor's garage door. The rear windshield was shattered, and the rear fender and liftgate were damaged. No medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would reach out in 4 days. The failure mileage was 77,800.
3 malfunctions within a month time frame. The car will start and run normally. Then it will suddenly come to a halt because the engine will continue to run but the transmission knob will not be able to move, and the entire electrical panel lights up. Repeated attempts to use the push button start to unlock the transmission knob and be able to start car fail. This has happened 2 of the 3 times on major roadways in traffic. PD was called for last incident. The car has been to the dealer 3 times, dealer is unable to replicate problem and unable to pull codes from computer every single time. Vehicle has been inspected by dealer every single time. No warning lights or lamp or messages have appeared prior to this issue. The last incident - as described on major roadway - my children were in vehicle. This is a complete and dangerous issue, still not being addressed. …
Very common cylinder 2 misfire. Replaced all spark plugs and the cylinder two ignition coil. Replaced upper and lower intake gasket seals, replaced the fuel injector. Still having issues with misfire. Wiring is all correct - pumps and valves are right. It must be a broken head and this is a known issue with previous years of Chrysler engines that have had recalls. This is an expensive fix and dangerous if not fixed. It is not fair to the consumer that Chrysler has still yet to fix such issues after prior years have been recalled, and yet they don't recall the 2016 pentastar 3.6L. I am requesting this be looked into and recalled for I am one of many who are encountering this serious issue that will inevitably cause wrecks.
Driving in the left lane of an interstate highway at 75mph, in moderate traffic, in daylight hours, clear weather, with my young son. Sudden, unexpected decrease in engine rpm resulted in unannounced, approximate 40 mph reduction in speed. The instrument cluster illuminated stating " service transmission continue in D. Do Not Shift or Turn Engine Off". Such an unforeseen event, without brake light illumination, resulted in several following vehicles to take evasive actions, thus preventing a potential mass casualty accident. I was able steer towards the right shoulder at the greatly reduced speed of 35mph, collect myself, check on my upset son and try to make sense of what had happened. At this point panic began to set in. I called my Father & he was able to provide the next step being to deliver the vehicle to the local Dodge dealership. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Dodge Durango. While the gear shifter was placed in park, the owner exited the vehicle and left two of the occupants inside. The vehicle rolled away and struck another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company's collision center stated that they did not believe the vehicle was safe to drive. The mechanic further stated that they did not want to service the vehicle until after Chrysler conducted an investigation. The manufacturer had not called the contact back yet per case number: 31602871. The failure mileage was approximately 15,240.
Computer/transmission issues. Car broke down and could not put in park because the computer thought my speed was too high even though I was standing still. Once the car was towed to the dealer it moved forward while it was in park. (video evidence) in a previous incident the car was placed in park and not turned off. I exited the vehicle with the engine still running. The car idled forward on its own damaging a garage and the car itself. Initially, I thought this was due to me not putting the car in park but now I don't believe this was the case. I believed the car to be in park but the electronic transmission control kept the did not recognize that vehicle was in park.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Dodge Durango. While the vehicle was engaged in park, it rolled back and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries while running after the vehicle and bruised both knees. Medical attention was not received. The vehicle was taken to trinity Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1550 w springfield rd, taylorville, il 62568, [phone]) where the shift knob was updated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.
While reversing to hook boat trailer up to vehicle, vehicle took off at a high rate of speed in revers. Hitting the brakes did not help. The vehicle slammed into the trailer with boat sitting on it and pushed into a tree before the vehicle would stop. Furthermore, this vehicle has been into the dealer's 5 times for headliner issues which included interior lights not working, rear ac vents not working, pinched wires in the wiring harness and airbag lights on.
Vehicle was in park, engine running, while owner was pumping gas at the station. With the driver's door ajar, he was standing outside for several minutes and suddenly the vehicle took off in reverse. Vehicle was in park and not moving for the several minutes while pumping gas. The vehicle took off, dragged owner by the open door under the vehicle and ran his leg over. Continued moving until it hit a pole. Owner was hospitalized.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Dodge Durango. When the vehicle was started and still in the park position, it rolled down the driveway and crashed into the neighbor's house. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer sent an investigator who could not duplicate the failure and stated that the vehicle was fine. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
NHTSA investigations
Vehicle Rollaway
Basis - On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to Park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents. These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design.
Transmission complaints in other Durango years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Dodge Durango, 19% of the model year's 161 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Dodge Durango transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Dodge Durango, though it has 3 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 2016 Dodge Durango transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.