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2021 Dodge Durango Transmission Problems

10 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

10
Complaints
1
Crashes
Jan 2023Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (10)

criticalPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

Your engine cooling system may fail due to ruptured coolant lines, including tubes that supply coolant to the rear air conditioning system and transmission heater hoses. This causes coolant to leak out, leading to engine overheating during normal driving, which can create a sudden loss of power and risk of collision in traffic. The ruptures appear to result from how the lines are routed near the transmission, causing wear over time. Repair typically involves replacing the damaged coolant lines and hoses, with estimates around $3,600.

NHTSA #: 11705425
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2025

The heating hose exploded due to unknown pressure and ended up getting steaming, hot coolant, and all the cylinders and causing engine failure on a Dodge Durango that I purchased 80 days ago. and I have manufacturer, the dealer and an extended warranty, and after verbal and written promises, now I’m left with almost a $20,000 bill and no car and wasting money on rentals. I have filed to BBB and other complaints towards the dealership. I have tons of other people who have had similar problems with this year and model and newer.

NHTSA #: 11666371
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message "Switch to Park and select a Gear" was displayed with an audible alarm. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA #: 11658089
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2024

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.

NHTSA #: 11621705
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission was skipping gear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward or reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The check engine message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the transmission. The mechanic informed the contact that the parts to repair the vehicle were on back order. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA #: 11613808
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2024

The EPS system failed while driving, the steering wheel became very stiff and hard to turn

NHTSA #: 11601623
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2023

Transmission cooling lines rub frame of vehicle causing lost in coolant.

NHTSA #: 11530778
mediumPOWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Mar 2023

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 attempted to apply the brakes however the vehicle continued to accelerate forward causing the contact to drop into the center of the roundabout. The air bag failed to deploy and the contact hit their head on the steering wheel. The contact also received whiplash and medical attention was needed. The contact was injured from the neck down the back. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,722.

NHTSA #: 11510847
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving on three separate occasions at highway speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The horn was beeping. Additionally, the windshield wipers, the brakes, and the power steering functionality became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed there was corrosion on part numbers: 68490871AA (PCM, ECM, ECU Control module) and 68499393AA (PCM, ECM, ECU Control module). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

NHTSA #: 11504725
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2022

The transmission slips during initial acceleration and causes the driver to dangerously accelerate ahead unexpectedly.This has been occuring since I purchased the vehicle in July of 2021.

NHTSA #: 11485684

Other 2021 Dodge Durango Issues