1) Major transmission failure, fluid leakage, and visible undercarriage corrosion on a newly leased car with under 3K miles on it. Additional: Losing vehicle function. Car would not shift into gear and would not move. Car is currently at the dealership in which it was leased. 2) Yes, huge safety concern. Losing vehicle function while traveling on a bridge—with limited ability to safely stop posed a serious risk to our safety and to others on the road. 3) Yes, problem has been confirmed by dealer. 4) The vehicle has not been inspected at this time by anyone other than the dealership in which it was leased. 5)While accelerating at approximately 30–35 mph, the vehicle began emitting a high-pitched whining noise, similar to sound of a remote-control toy car. The vehicle then started jerking back and forth during acceleration. Shortly after, the “Check Engine” light illuminated. We activated our hazard lights, reduced speed to approximately 10-20 mph, exited the bridge, and pulled into an emergency stopping area. There was no prior warning that there was a problem.
Dodge Durango won't shift problems
78 of the 13,795 owner complaints about the Dodge Durango describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 78
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 75,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 11Wipers 6Loss of power 6Adaptive cruise 5Jerking 4ABS 3Won't start 2Transmission failure 2
Trouble codes mentioned
U0002 1U0001 1P1B14 1P0572 1
What owners say
Vehicle will not shift into drive. This issue is similar to the ZB3 problem. Improperly heat treated shifter parts failed and will not allow the transmission to shift into drive.
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. Those few miles were miserable since the dash was still presenting dismal warnings, there was reduced power and the vehicle acted like it was in a very low gear. The dealership was closed, so the vehicle was parked on lot however, once the engine was turned off the battery power remained on. Unable to lock, turn off or change any electrical device. We returned the following day and spoke to the service advisor who stated, “the vehicle had entered the Limp Mode” Addition research states it is a safety feature that activates when a critical issue is detected by a computer. Well, I guess the engineers never thought about such a radical transformation at highway speeds….without brake lights! Such a device should never allow an automobile to suddenly and without notice, startle the driver with annunciations while simultaneously downshifting and reducing engine rpm.
That slow speeds when you back up or pull forward and the wheels hit a little bit of resistance, everything goes off on the vehicle, wipers do not work, says the adaptive traction control needs service, it says emergency braking service goes out, turn signals do not work, we have been to Dodge. They say they know about this, but there’s no recalls and they tell us they cannot fix it unless it has an active code and as soon as you cut it off, apparently it’s not an active code, although they’re still stored in the system we have a video of showing what happens when it does it Sometimes when we just start the car, it will not even go into gear and every hazard light pops up on the dashboard, again wipers will not work, will not go into gear says the traction control is not working. Breaking system is not working, etc.. I tried uploading the video, but it will not allow a video upload While traveling at speed, the speedometer says you’re running 0 mph, you can’t even tell how fast you’re going
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). The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that bank #1 camshaft position actuator two (2) and the CAN BUS communication outline had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 80,000.
Lost power steering after I started vehicle after driving. It happens to remove power steering unavailable code after restarting vehicle several times and power steering returns. I believe it may be something with ABS as the ECU and EPS is all connected. If something is off then it goes into limp mode. ABS was resetted and worked fine and not needing to replace the entire electric power steering. All started when I had 88K miles. One time the steering wheel locked on me while I was driving over a bridge with snow and ice on ground.
I was driving down the interstate using cruise control. The lane was slowing so I went to accelerate around and the car made a thud noise. After that, the car started to slow and 2 minutes later stated cruise control off then would not shift above 1st gear.
While driving without notice transmission light flashes and the 2011 Dodge Durango will not shift out of gear. I have had this problem in the past and told dealer but they always say they have no codes and on test drive cant confirm the issue. The first time it happened was around the 50 000 mile mark I thought nothing of it back then as I restarted the car it went away. Over the years it go worst to the point that it would happen at least once or multiple times during my daily commute it I told the dealership about it but no codes and they said on a test run no problems. I stopped driving the car in 2019 because it was too dangerous to drive daily especially in traffic due to the car unable to shift gears left me stranded in the middle of the freeway many times waiting to restart car and car would behave normal until the transmission light comes on where i have to power off durango and restart where ever it happens freeway stop signs lights or where ever it decides to happen. I want to get this car running again but dont have the money to fix an issue that i had when it was still covered by the extended warranty and now i have to pay out of pocket because im over the milage so this car has been sitting and i feel as i been ripped off because of al the issues. Im end up dying in this thing if i take it out. Ive donr the recalls and now i see another recall for the same issue that they said they fixed is been reissued im certain all of the issues is tied to the computer unit it i already had one replaced in this car because when i took it for the alternator issue when the car just died with no warning they told me it was fried. All the recall issues that have been mandated are all the issues i had car stalling not starting battery dead and drained fuel relay power module no power how is this not a lemon. this car is a saftey issue on so many levels. Im now trying to get this car running and im still having the same issues i have 129000 miles on it now
While driving all sensors began flashing simultaneously. I took to mechanic and a few codes turned up. One for speed messages. One for can bus and the other was U0001. Took to dealership service and they had it for a week. After charging battery all sensors were cleared. Same day driving home all sensors came back on simultaneously. Car began making noises and driving in limp mode windshield wipers turned on by themselves. Took car to Firestone to check battery. They replaced battery. Sensors were still flashing all the way home but no other problems. Next day i lost power steering and ability to brake. Nearly crashing the Durango. I eventually was able to pull wheel and get to side of road. I tried to turn off engine,, but it would not turn off nor would the shifter allow me to shift to park. I sat in idle for a few moments and turned car off. I was near my home so drove home.. very difficult to steer. Then car sensors said to push clutch in . I have an automatic. It went crazy.
Was on a delivery order with Doordash suddenly the truck started bucking back and forth it had felt as if someone was slaming into the back of truck anyway I was on the highway in traffic when this had started leaving me 1st and 2nd gear than final with no gears cause the transmission was burning hot to the touch causing burns on my hand when I tried to check out I was told my truck went into some kind of limp mode cause of transmission control module and shifted solenoid A on the transmission someone needs to hold Dodge responsible for its failures
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 94A.
Recall number 23V640000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the "drive" position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB3.
Recall number 22V866000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- 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. If both pinion gears have their teeth sufficiently worn off, torque power can not be transferred from the front wheels to the driveline, resulting in loss of power while driving and loss of the PARK function when stationary.
- Risk
- A sudden loss of power while driving or loss of the transmission PARK function can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is W22.
Recall number 20V183000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
- 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Recall number 18V280000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If a halfshaft is too short, it may disengage from the differential causing a loss of drive and increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T55.
Recall number 17V541000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- 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, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
- Risk
- If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
- 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 the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Recall number 13V038000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- 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). This can also allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the "park" position.
- Risk
- Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.
- 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.
Recall number 07V555000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 06V341000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
- 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. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V460000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This could cause the transfer case to end up in the neutral position unexpectedly and allow the vehicle to roll away if the parking brake is not applied.
- 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 within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V077000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Durango won't shift
Which Dodge Durango years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (9 complaints), 2012 (8 complaints) and 1999 (6 complaints).
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