2011 Dodge Durango: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 10, 2018 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · TX

While driving my 2011 dodge durango about 45 MPH, my battery lite came on, within a matter of approx 2 minutes, all of the dash lights came on and were blinking and alarming, my windshield wipers came on, my AC turned off, my fasten seaght belt lights came on and alarmed and then suddenly the car lost power and power steering went out and I quickly tried to hanover the car to the side of the road onto incoming traffic. At the same time the brakes went out then the entire dash/panel went out as well as my headlights. This was 6 am and it was dark outside. I got over the intersection and was able to turn the vehicle and was able to drive down the road and get off the busy street. I then had to wait till the car stopped on its own as the brakes did not work. Also no headlights. I tried to turn on emergency flashers and the would not go on. I put the car in park and got out as I could smell burning of what I thought was electrical wires. I had to have it towed to the dealer. I could not even lock the car as the key fob did not work. It is at the dealer now and I am waiting for a diagnosis. The incident was very disturbing and unsafe as I had no control over the car. Luckily due to the time of day, there was little oncoming traffic and I had not entered the freeway yet.

Filed Dec 13, 2017 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · AZ

While driving my 2011 dodge durango to the store the check engine and battery light appeared, I drove the vehicle to o'reilly to have them test it, it showed the alternator was bad, I purchased a new alternator from them and within 1/4 mile of leaving o'reilly my dash lights started flashing windshield wipers started going and the car died in the middle of an intersection. Some passer-by's helped push my car into a parking lot where my husband met me and installed the new alternator, still the car wouldn't do anything. Had it towed back to the house and kept it on a charger (advice from the tow truck driver) and still the next day nothing, meanwhile researching the problem online and saw this was a common issue among dodge drivers. I called dodge and they said my particular alternator had not been recalled and there was nothing they could do. The car said key not detected the following morning after being charged all night. I then had it towed to a mechanic, they said the PCM and the battery were fried and had to tow it to dodge for the new PCM. So a new alternator, new PCM and battery, then finally my car was recalled 8/2017. I was sent a recall notice stating if I had already had it repaired I was eligible for reimbursement and to send in my receipts and I would have payment in 60 days. At day 78 I called the fca assistance center and was told they had everything to call back in a week, I called back in a week they wanted more documents which I had already sent, but uploaded again, I called then every other day following up just to be told yesterday my request is denied. They are saying that there is no proof that the failed alternator caused the PCM and battery to fry, so they are not reimbursing me for anything. I am still waiting for a manager to call me back wishful thinking out $1779 for now

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Electrical · 77,727 miles · MI

Yesterday I started my 2011 dodge durango up on my lunch break. The vehicle then omitted a high pitch sound. It almost sounded like sirens, and the sound got louder as I began to drive. About 30 seconds after the noise, my battery light came on. After arriving at my work 5 minutes later, I called my husband and he said it sounded like an alternator issue. The vehicle was parked a little over 3 hours when he arrived to my work. He popped the hood, and smoke had filled up in there. He couldn't tell where the smoke was coming from because it was everywhere. He eventually got into the vehicle underneath the passenger seat to unplug the battery. At that point we called a tow truck to take it to the dealership. When I tried to get the key fob into the ignition, it would not go in without force, as something had melted inside there as well. I checked the federal safety agency database for any problems, where I did find a recall for the exact same issue for my year, make and model. However, after entering my VIN#, the recall said it did not apply to my vehicle. I think this should be investigated further, as this could have turned out to be a deadly scenario.

Filed Nov 6, 2015 · Electrical · 111,000 miles · TX

Vehicle experienced failure of all electrical systems, while vehicle in motion at 45mph. I was driving on the highway and noticed my red "battery indicator" came on. I assumed it was a warning that it needed to be replaced. After approx 35 miles, the "driver's seatbelt unbuckled" warning came on (it was buckled) and that warning cycled off and on rapidly, and then other warnings to check this or that appeared. Within 30-60 seconds of that beginning, the A/C system shut down, the ABS and traction control off lights came on, the windshield wipers turned on, and then I lost the power steering as well. I was able to steer just enough to angle into a gas station and put it into park. At that point, no electrical systems were functioning, the car could not be placed back in "neutral" to move it further, and we were unable to remove the key fob. There was a faint smell, like burning rubber or similar. The vehicle was towed to our home, as it is out of warranty (111k miles) and my husband wished to investigate the issue and repair himself, if possible. He removed the battery, approximately 3 hours after the vehicle was shut off, and it was still very hot to the touch. He replaced the battery with a new one, but within 1/2 mile drive the red "battery" indicator came back on and we immediately returned home. Upon further testing with a voltmeter, he determined the issue is the alternator. We believe this alternator is faulty and dangerous, however our VIN number is not listed under the current recall (14v634000) of the 160 amp alternator (I am not sure what amp alternator I did have). My husband has opted to replace the alternator himself, rather than pay the dealership to do so, but we believe this should be investigated further as the possibility of an accident seems pretty high in this type of total electrical failure.

Filed May 18, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 72,682 miles · GA

My 2011 dodge durango crew says key no detected when I attempt to start the vehicle. I thought it was the battery in the key fob because the vehicle stated low key battery and took the fob to battery's plus. They tested the key fob and stated the battery was fine and didn't need to be replaced. Also the drivers side head and brake lights go out.

Filed Dec 3, 2014 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge durango. The contact stated that the push button start began to fail and took several attempts to get the vehicle to start. The vehicle took longer to start in inclement weather. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in the safety recall, but the parts were not available. The dealer did not place the contact on a waiting list and the failure was progressing. The manufacturer was contacted and was not able to provide a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The federal safety agency campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2014 · Fuel system · 35,000 miles · CA

Vehicle will not start after multiple attempts from inside drivers compartment using push button on dash. However, vehicle will start using remote key fob.

Filed Oct 15, 2014 · Electrical · 33,880 miles · VA

Vehicle has issues when start up. Push button start results in the starter engaging and cranking for long period until system shuts it off. Various warning lights illuminate on the evic and dash. Check engine light, low range light, traction control light, etc. Seems occurrences are sporadic but becoming more numerous. You can tell the fuel pump runs uncontrolled because there is the definite strong smell of gasoline when the starter shuts down and before the engine ever starts.

Filed Oct 8, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 62,584 miles · MI

My 2011 dodge durango stopped starting with the push button start. It happened the first time when my wife was bringing home our 5 kids from school and daycare. My wife was able to manually start the vehicle with taking off the push to start button and starting it with the key. However, this only works 80% of the time. We took it to a dodge dealer and they found it is the tipm(totally integrated power module). This is the part that is effected in the upcoming recall that starts on the 24th. My vehicle build date is 4/21/2011 which is right in the middle of the vehicles effected.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 72,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge durango. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when the push button start was depressed. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 27,000 miles · FL

The problem first manifested itself in an occasional difficulty starting the vehicle, typically after it sat overnight. Upon pressing the start button the starter would engage but the engine would not start. Pressing the start button again to stop the cranking and then re-pressing the button would get the engine to start. Weeks would sometimes go by without the problem recurring. Around the middle of july 2014 the problem started to get much worse, the car sometimes not starting multiple times during the day even after short stops. Around the end of july my wife had the problem happen to her, got the vehicle started, but as she backed out of a parking spot the vehicle stalled in the traffic lane. After that incident I took the vehicle to a dodge dealership where they "cleared several fault codes" and sent me on my way. Three days later the vehicle once again wouldn't start, but the "reset and repress" tactic would work and the vehicle would run. Around august 7 2014 the problem got much worse. The vehicle took multiple attempts and 1-2 minutes to get running on several mornings, now though the vehicle would stall once started and before moving. Once running, in gear, and moving the car would run fine. Car failed to start then each morning aug 15-17, taking 1-2 minutes each morning and multiple stalls. On afternoon of august 17, 5 minutes after making a dealer apt for next morning, I was driving at about 10 miles per hour and the engine died completely, power steering and brakes went out as well. Only after 3 minutes did finally using the remote start function on the key fob get the vehicle to start and run, this on a very busy roadway blocking a lane of traffic. Next day vehicle would not start at the dealer either, they diagnosed a bad tipm module and offered me a new module for $1200 or a "relay kit" for $587. New module cured problem for now.

Filed Aug 31, 2014 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · GA

Yesterday, after my oil change, the engine would not start. It has done this several times before at various times but never right after an oil change. It cranked and cranked but would not start. Tried many times. It finally started after about 5 minutes and I went home. Once home, I started it three times just to make sure it would start. Then, this morning, it would not start. Have tried several times today and still won't start no matter what. There is a red lightning bolt and it says key not detected message. The keys have new batteries. Have checked internet for complaints. There are many like this. Please do a recall and fix the issue or pay me for the towing and repairs I have to make to this vehicle. Thank you.