2005 Dodge Durango: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jun 30, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

I have had problems with the 4 wheel/ all wheel drive engaging on it's own. The problem exists even when the vehicle is turned off when using the key fob to lock the vehicle. I have on a two occasions have the transmission shift into four wheel low while doing over 55 mph which made the vehicle slow down skidding drastically and made the engine hit high RPMs. After checking online for some Information I've found that it's a problem with many owners of 2004, 2005 and 2006 Durango and Dakota owners and found that the body control module, 4 wheel module and shift actuator was part of the faults. They had disconnected the wire harness to the shift actuator to remedy the chance of having an accident. I have done the same and looked into replacing faulty parts but also found that the fix was also temporary many owners reported the same problem just days after repairs. Please look Into this, it's dangerous and it's well known that this problem exists with many owners why has Mopar not addressed it. It will kill someone.

Filed Jul 23, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 137,323 miles · AA

Started with the ser 4 wheel drive light coming on intermitly ..then passenger side window intermitly stops working ..next the transfer case motor switches all by its self into 4 wheel lock and 4 wheel lo with no lights on the dash..when its in 4 wheel lock its very hard to drive and turning almost imposable this creates a very unsafe condition when your driving when its in lock you can barely get out of a parking spot or get turned around even more scary on the road when it shifts all by its self ..many times no lights on the dash to tell you it has changed ...other time while driving at highway speeds the 4 lock of 4 lo lights come on ..very dangerous ...sometime the key fob also makes the transfer case motor change when the truck is not even running

Filed Feb 2, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 90,000 miles · UT

Vehicle engages and disengages into four wheel drive on its own. Will engage while driving at high speeds on freeway, while vehicle is off and when unlocking doors with key fob. Stereo changes stations and volume adjusts on its own. Have unhooked transfer case to avoid an accident.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 115,000 miles · UT

On my vehicle the 4 wheel drive will automatically engage while I am driving. It has switched into 4lo a few times which almost caused a serious accident. There is also a clicking noise that sounds like the gears are switching back and forth, when I use the remote lock/unlock on the key fob. The dodge dealership did not know why it was happening and said maybe I should replace the transfer case but they did not know for sure if that would do anything. So I lost over $100 and got nothing out of it. I took it to my mechanic who said that unplugging at the transfer case would stop the issue but the 4 lo and other switches would not work and the service 4x4 light would remain on. Since I have to drive I had him do this and it did fix the problem but now I don't have any 4 wheel drive which really sucks living in utah with all the snow. The fact that the vehicle would switch into 4 lo when I was doing 70 MPH on the freeway is a major safety concern. There needs to be a recall on this problem.

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Transmission · 175,000 miles · MN

The vehicle tries to shift into 4 wheel drive on its own while traveling down the road. Depending on speed it is sometimes successful causing difficult steering on dry pavement. It also sometimes sounds like it is trying to shift into 4 wheel drive when the vehicle is parked and not running; especially right after unlocking the doors with the key fob.

Filed Dec 14, 2015 · Transmission · 74,500 miles · WI

The durango is flashing on the dash either 4lock or 4lo while driving down the road. It will switch from awd to 4lock when turning. It randomly switches from awd to either 4lock or 4lo while idling and when no one is in the car and you use the key fob. It has not switch into 4lock or 4lo at a high rate of speed but has at slow speed. Very concerned that I will happen, as have read other owners have had it happen going 55 MPH.

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · OH

The durango switches into 4 wheel drive on its own. Sometimes you can get out of the car use your key fob to lock the car and you can hear it engage in to 4 wheel drive. It also does this while you are driving down the street. It is really bad when it switches into 4 lo. I have read so much about so many people having these issues, yet nothing is being done. It is a real safety issue that needs to be resolved! This has been happening on and off for 3-5 months now and it is just getting worse.

Filed Jun 29, 2015 · Transmission · 228,725 miles · SC

While driving, the 4x4 system shifted into 4wd lo nearly causing a loss of control. When parked and not running vehicle was heard making a clicking sound near the front of the engine, the sound was the same as when the vehicle shifts into 4wd mode. Same sound, shifting into 4wd mode was repeated when pressing unlock on the key fob while the vehicle was parked, not running, without even the key in ignition.... I am highly concerned that the defect could cause a serious injury if the 4wd system decides to engage at an inopportune time...updated 09/11/15 *bf updated 10/13/15

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 98,000 miles · WA

While driving on the freeway, I noticed that my 4 lo warning light was flashing on my instrument panel. Once I came to a safe stop, I could hear what sounded like my 4 wheel drive actively trying to engage itself by making a clanking noise. Several days later, it did the same thing, only this time, it succeeded in shifting itself into 4 wheel drive but only for a brief period. Now it does this on a daily basis and will even do this in my garage with the keys out of the ignition. It will also do this when I use the key fob to unlock my doors. Please look into this as there are several other durango owners who are experiencing the same issue. My worry is that it will find a way to shift itself into 4 lo while either my wife or myself are driving down the freeway. If that happens, it could be catastrophic. This is something that dodge needs to recall to prevent any injuries or deaths. People have attempted to replace the transfer case, replace wiring, and several other fix attempts but to no avail. As a 16-year career firefighter, I am pleading with you to look into this.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Transmission · 152,000 miles · LA

Vehicle goes in and out of 4 wheel drive on its own. Clicking noise under vehicle when using key fob to lock and unlock vehicle. Does not always occur. Is in 4 wheel drive more than not these days.

Filed Aug 30, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 174,112 miles · WV

My 2005 dodge durango has an issue with the transfer case. When using the key fob to unlock the doors, the transfer case will switch from awd to 4wd hi on its on. Also while driving the service 4wd light will appear and it will switch to 4wd hi and if going around a turn. My wheels have locked up causing me to slide and almost hitting another vehicles. I believe this is unsafe and have been many complaints. How many more of these have to happen and ends up taking someones life. I would like to see this issue resolved.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 70,000 miles · MN

2005 durango 4.7 v8 hemi my vehicle randomly shuts down on its own, locking the steering column, when slowing down and turning at the same time as when coasting into a parking space or coming to a stop. Also, on some of these occasions, all interior electrical components seem to go out, inst panel, radio, fan/blower, etc. Brought in multiple times for inspection, they say they find nothing. In last 6 months, 4wd light blinks as if its changing from awd to 4wd on its own, sometimes can hear it engaging under car when using key fob locking or unlocking, and when turning into a parking spot it feels like it changed to 4lo as its almost skipping/hopping like trying to take a turn with 4wd and rpms go way up like I'm in a low gear. Many, many of the same complaints on dodge forums with many people just throwing money at it and having multiple things replaced etc, just to find out its not fixed. Needs to be recalled soon.