Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Dodge Durango owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled while utilizing the AUTO STOP/START feature. The contact was able to pull over. The shift to park message was blinking and the AUTO STOP/START exclamation was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the headlamp was inoperable. There was an abnormal knocking noise detected from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer; Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (211-10 Jamaica Ave, Queens, NY 11428[phone]) who was also unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
While driving, the transmission gave out. There was no prior indication of any issue - no warning light and no different noise. The car wouldn't change gears, which was an extremely dangerous situation in traffic. This transmission is "supposed" to be so good that there isn't a way to even check the transmission oil - there is no dipstick. Dodge claims that the oil doesn't need to be checked, it is that good. Howerver, after the failure and having it towed to the dealer, the report was that the transmission was was black! How is a consumer supposed to be able to check a basic, required fluid with no dipstick? There isn't a way to have any preventative check on the transmission, yet it just fails without warning? …
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond, and the engine made an abnormal revving sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for brake servicing, the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V541000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included on the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Just bought the vehicle two months ago and have had to replace multiple things on the vehicle. The first issue was the diming lights and passenger window rolling down while driving along with remote start not working got that fixed now the car wants to turn on when it feels like it. It could be working for two weeks straight then you go to turn the car on after just turning it off five minutes prior and it does not wanna work you mess with the wires, try to jumpstart the wires and unhook the passenger seat heat and adjuster then it starts..
While I was merging onto the freeway with my daughter, I accelerated to a speed of 60 mph and it felt like my transmission dropped. My car was revving at 5k rpm's and would not allow me to go any faster than 45 mph. Luckily no accident occurred as I was able to safely get my child and myself off the freeway. I now have a service appointment scheduled with dodge to see why this happened. But after ready these other complaints, I now see this is a potential recall! Hopefully my warranty covers this repair...
When driving on the freeway I went to accelerate the car then begin to accelerate by itself even when I was hitting the brakes it would not slow down. Finally after a few seconds it slowed down. About a week after that started feeling like the transmission was having issues. Now I cannot drive my car. And this happened about three times with the acceleration of the car doing that by itself.
I started to back out of my daughters garage and felt the tire hit something. I didn't want to back over it so I pulled forward, put the vehicle in park, opened the door and started to get out. I got one foot on the ground and the vehicle took off in reverse. I was thrown back into the seat. The door being partially open hit a box which flung the door completely open. The door clipped the garage door jam and pushed the door into the front fender damaging it and the door. I'm not sure if the vehicle accelerated but my wife who was standing outside said she wondered why I was backing out so fast. I got the vehicle stopped just outside the door and shut it off. It all seemed to happen pretty fast.
No accident happened yet but I believe one will. This car is equipped with a rotary transmission selector for drive by wire transmission and has an auto engine stop start feature. This start stop feature can be disabled after the vehicle is started, but cannot be set by default to disable this feature. I understand the fuel saving issue, however but many of us have been driving for many years and we do a lot of things unconsciously because these activities are so common to us. When this feature is activated and you come into your drive way, your garage or a parking space and fully come to a stop, the engine turns off and all goes quiet. Subconsciously because of a lifetime of driving experience, you think the car is off, your travel is over and you are ready to exit the vehicle. …
After two days of use and three hundred total miles on my vehicle I discovered an oil leak. Vehicle was taken to the dealership where the technicians informed me that the leak from the rear main seal on the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, the next morning I notice oil leaking from the same area. I take the vehicle to the dealership for a second time and after a couple of days I was informed that the vehicle had a defective oil pan that needed to be replaced. A week goes by and the dealership informs me the vehicle is ready for pickup. The next day I contact the dealership to arrange to pick up the vehicle and was told the leak is still present which resulted in a star case which the manufacturers engineers are assisting the local technicians in resolving the issue. Approximately ten days later I was told that the transmission pump was defective and needed to be replaced. …
Leaving a friends house my '17 dd with 32K miles stalled out while I was in a turn lane on a busy street just at an intersection leading to the highway. The dash lit up with several likes and the only light I could catch was 'power steering issue car will cut off soon' the car was still in the 'run' position and turning to 'off' or 'acc' was not engaging. I could not move or push the vehicle as engage the neutral position was not happening. After calling the tow truck and sitting for about an hour (scared I'd get him by oncoming traffic) I looked in the manual and online to see how to manually engage the neutral position. After a few failed attempts I was able to engage it and move it safely from the street. Tow truck arrived an hour later and now no buttons worked. He had to use the manual key to unlock doors and the dash was lighting up with several warnings. …
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Durango vehicles. The vehicles may have been assembled with rear axle halfshafts that are too short.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace both halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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 2017 Dodge Durango?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Dodge Durango, 11% of the model year's 213 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Dodge Durango transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-541 (axle shaft, Aug 31, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Dodge Durango transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 69% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 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.