Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 14% | 1,000 miles |
| 2024 | 5 | 36% | — |
| 2023 | 9 | 28% | 55,000 miles |
| 2022 | 9 | 15% | — |
| 2021 | 10 | 5% | 63,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% | 12,000 miles |
| 2017 | 23 | 11% | 14,000 miles |
| 2016 | 30 | 19% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 38 | 8% | 30,000 miles |
| 2014 | 42 | 5% | 33,000 miles |
| 2013 | 34 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 37 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 51 | 6% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% | 89,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
| 2007 | 25 | 9% | 102,000 miles |
| 2006 | 55 | 6% | 112,000 miles |
| 2005 | 217 | 14% | 110,000 miles |
| 2004 | 99 | 9% | 102,000 miles |
| 2003 | 24 | 7% | 42,000 miles |
| 2002 | 71 | 17% | 83,000 miles |
| 2001 | 106 | 16% | 71,000 miles |
| 2000 | 120 | 11% | 57,000 miles |
| 1999 | 181 | 9% | 76,000 miles |
| 1998 | 103 | 11% | 68,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2024 Dodge Durango (SXT Plus, GT Plus, RT trims) Update to my prior complaint regarding a dangerous shifter defect. Defect Description: While driving and pressing the accelerator (no brake, no shifter button pressed), the transmission shifts into Neutral without warning. The vehicle loses propulsion. The instrument cluster does not display or warn that it is in Neutral - no chime, no message, no clear gear indicator. This matches NHTSA Recall 26V262000 (FCA 39D), where the instrument panel fails to show gear selection in other 2024-2025 Stellantis vehicles. Widespread Issue: I have replicated this multiple times on my SXT Plus, a GT, and RT models. Other owners in Durango groups report the same. This is a systemic defect across Dodge Durango trims and likely the broader Stellantis/Chrysler/Mopar lineup. Related Lawsuit: This also appears connected to the class action [redacted] et al. …
I brought the car to the dealership on June 24th about the car jolting forward and a this coming from the bottom of the car . The car jolts forward when in drive I have 10k miles now after he dealership put 588 miles on my car . Got my car back on July the 20th . I was told that my engine misfired and they had to replace spark plugs on a new car I purchased this car brand new . Less than two years having it my engine misfired and they replaced spark plugs .no warning lamps which is deeply concerning as this issues had been happening for awhile with no warning on dash car jolting forward thudding from the bottom of the car . Extremely dangerous you could hit the back of someone's car or something . Extremely unsafe . The issue was reproduced by the dealership .i strongly suggest this be looked into to a car jolting forward is extremely unsafe for the roads .
The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse, the vehicle failed to respond with the message "Service Shifter" displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted the gear shifter between neutral and reverse until the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that upon startup and while driving, the check engine and airbag warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the gear shifter became stuck when shifting into drive(D). The rearview camera flickered, displayed incorrect images, and the display screen intermittently froze or turned blue. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on ten occasions, and an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
On Friday, 04/22/2022, at 5:30 PM, I remote-started the vehicle, and let it run for 5 minutes, then my wife and I entered the vehicle. I put my foot on the brake pedal, pushed the engine start button to unlock all vehicle functions, and put my seatbelt on. I placed the vehicle in reverse. Then I released the parking brake and backed off the brake pedal. My driveway is slightly sloped downwards towards the garage doors, around three degrees and around five degrees or less where it connects to the street. This vehicle has enough power to back out of my driveway without pushing the gas pedal while in reverse. However, the Dodge Durango in this report barely moved, then stopped, so I gave it a bit more gas. The engine kept hesitating with the RPM needle going under the 500 RPM mark several times. I managed to back it to the end of the driveway. However, the vehicle was struggling. …
While driving on the highway, the engine overheating light came on, the car seemed to be losing power, and I pulled over and was then towed to the dealership. My safety was put at risk as I could have been hit as the car was slowing down in fast traffic; it also was extremely cold (about 5 degrees F) while I waited for the tow truck. The tow truck driver noted that I had lost coolant fluid due to a large puddle beneath the car. The dealership reported that the aluminum coolant line had rubbed against the transmission cooler and had broken through, causing a loss of fluid. The dealership replaced the coolant line and also stated that they cut an extra piece of aluminum and wrapped it around the coolant line to reinforce that line and stop it from rubbing through by rubbing against the transmission cooler. …
The contact owned a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and turning in an exit veering to the right when the vehicle began reducing in speed and the vehicle was displaying numbers counting down on the instrument panel. The contact pulled to the side of the road where they turned the vehicle off and waited approximately 5 - 10 minutes before turning the vehicle back on and driving to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure therefore they were unable to diagnose the cause. The vehicle had not been repaired. Approximately 3 weeks after while driving approximately 40 mph when attempting to go on a roundabout when the vehicle began displaying the count down on the instrument panel. …
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and an alarm sounded. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from park(P) to drive(D), the gear shifter became stuck in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed after a while. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was towed to Newnan Peachtree Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (53 Hollz Pkwy, Newnan, GA 30265); however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then towed to John Thornton Chevrolet (1971 Thornton Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122). …
Related recalls (10)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles equipped with an instrument panel mounted shifter. The shifter may experience an interference with the shifter boot and come out of gear while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. The front differential may have been assembled with pinion gears that are insufficiently hardened, which can lead to the gear teeth wearing down.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front differential, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Show 5 more recalls
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30,…
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system May become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "park" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "lock" position).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Vehicle description: light duty trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive. The electric shift transfer case May not fully engage into gear when the operator moves the transfer case selector switch.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the transfer case control module. Owner notification began April 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALL
On May 16, 2005,odi opened preliminary evaluation pe05-027 to investigate complaints of engine stalling in model year 2004-05 Dodge durango suvs and Ram 1500 series pickups equipped with the 5.7l v8 engine.information provided by daimlerchrysler during pe05-027 indicated that a large percentage of the complaints are related to an idle undershoot condition that May cause the engine to stall during turning…
ENGINE STALL
Analysis of the complaint, field report and warranty data shows that the majority of stalling incidents in the subject vehicles appear to be related to the engine calibration concerns that daimlerchrysler addressed with service bulletins releasing revised PCM software.analysis of the complaints and odi's survey of owners of vehicles that received engine management software updates under TSB #18-013-05 show that…
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.
Powered vehicle rollaway
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-030 on August 20, 2015,to investigate 14 complaints alleging incidents of rollaway after intended shifts to Park in Model Year (MY) 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees vehicles. The MY 2014-2015 Grand Cherokee vehicles are equipped with Monostable electronic (E-shift) gearshift assemblies supplied by ZF Group (ZF).
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Durango years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (217), 1999 (181), 2000 (120), 2001 (106) and 1998 (103) model years. Transmission complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Dodge Durango transmission problems?
Yes — 10 recalls, including 23V-640 (column shift, Sep 18, 2023); 22V-866 (column shift assembly, Nov 23, 2022); 20V-183 (differential unit, Mar 26, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Durango transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (323 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch (47).
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.