10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 131,518 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
As I went to work today, I noticed my truck was kicking when accelerating down the street. As I would come up to a complete stop, the truck would still keep on going. I have been hearing clicking when I open up the driver door, and on occasion on my daily commute to work, I was noticing the 4lo light blink. Well, today, I drove to work, and on the interstate, the 4lo light came on without blinking. A solid color. I started to see a lot of white smoke come from under the hood of the car, and from the bottom of the car as well. I pulled over to look at the vehicle and noticed that the truck was leaking all the tranny fluid. I was blocks from work, when I went back into the Durango and noticed that the extreme heat light had turned on in the dashboard. I waited about 30 minutes until I turned my truck back on, and begin to drive to work. It was still kicking and now it felt like the tranny was slipping. I finally made it to work. The truck was engulfed in smoke. I've noticed that when the 4lo lights start blinking, I have a hard time trying to turn the wheels left or right, and my wheels lock. This should be a transfer case recall... its a real big safety issue.
- Socorro, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, the four wheel drive activated independently and the vehicle independently shifted between gears. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. In addition, the A/C independently operated, the headlights and the instrument panel lights failed intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
- Muncie, IN, USA
My vehicle as well as many others that I've read have been having issues with the 4WD, this is a problem that should have a recall as to how many individuals have the same problems. Svc 4WD light comes on and then back off 4 lo light flashes when car is more so off/ but occasionally when on, makes a clicking noise, which what I could find and from others, is the transfer case changing occasionally when in reverse/drive the car either locks or acts as if the rear wheels are locked I do know there is no recall for these issues, but if you were to take the time to check into this, I feel you would also agree with everyone that this is a manufacturing/malfunction in possible the transfer case. I'm sure it doesn't matter, but I am a single mother of 3 and yes I know there are so many more just like me, but I cant afford to have take my vehicle in to be fixed especially when it should be a recall issue! please please look into this.
- Scottsbluff , NE, USA
Problem started with "srv 4 wd" light on dash going on and going off at random while driving. Soon after this initial problem, with vehicle parked and ignition off,4 wheel drive attempts to engage and disengage. The engage/disengage process may occur 2 to 6 times. The sound of this engagement/disengagement is clearly audible. On one occasion the vehicle actually engaged four wheel drive but there was no light on the dash indicating the vehicle was in 4 wheel drive. After driving the vehicle approximately.5 miles, 4 wheel drive disengaged with a very loud shift noise. At this same time, the "4 lo" display light on the dash began to flicker. It now blinks as if the vehicle is attempting to engage "4 lo" while the vehicle is in motion and the selector set to all wheel drive. I am still able to engage and disengage four wheel drive using the selector switch on the dash manually as is the case with normal 4 wheel drive operation for this vehicle. At this point the vehicle has not switched from AWD to 4 wd while in motion at highway speed. I am aware however this is a situation which can occur during vehicle operation while experiencing these 4 wheel drive malfunctions.
- Cary, NC, USA
The central timer module (ctm) or body computer as some call it went bad causing the 4 wheel drive to engage or disengage without warning. When the 4 wheel drive engages while driving it makes it nearly impossible to make tight turns and at low speeds you are unable to turn at all. The part also causes the wipers to randomly engage, the door locks to randomly engage or disengage, and more.
- Willmar, MN, USA
My 2005 Dodge Durango shifts back and forth between 4WD and AWD randomly. The 4WD light will come on and the vehicle shifts into lock without warning, making driving difficult and backups jumpy and jerky. It will shift back and run properly, but does not stay functioning long. There is a 'drag'' feeling to the vehicle when it slips into 4WD. This has made driving the Durango a concern and nearly tripled the amount of gas used for similar mileage. I am concerned that this could be a real safety issue. It goes into 4WD-lo and the tires lock up. If this were to happen at 70 mph, this could cause a spin out. When stopped at a light waiting to turn left the car occasionally 'shifts' without notice and then it is difficult to make the turn. When expecting the car to move properly on a busy road, this ''sluggish' response is a serious problem. Pulling out with plenty of time to turn before the light changes isn't a guarantee that you will actually make the turn before the light turns red. I want to be able to trust my vehicle, which I used to be able to do. I have read numerous accounts online about this same problem occurring for other 2005 Durango owners. Clearly, this is not an isolated incident unique to my vehicle. I have also seen reports that people having this same issue are also having remote door lock issues, which makes me wonder if there is also an electrical issue with the vehicle.
- Clinton Township, MI, USA
The car shift to 4lo by itself.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
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.
- Kenner, LA, USA
Engine will without warning lurch forward. It will also completely shut down making steering and braking extremely difficult. This vehicle had no codes showing and repair shop can't replicate the problem this lurching of the vehicle has occurred almost daily. And has completely shut down twice. I drive with two kids in the car and this is extremely dangerous. Their are several complaints with the exact same problem.
- Temecula, CA, USA
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.
- Martinsburg , WV, USA
This vehicle clicks into 4 wheel drive randomly and won't come out. The vehicle was being driven at 55mph when it kicked out of gear and quit. It sounded as if the transfer case dropped out of the vehicle and driver felt as if going to go through the front windshield. The 4X4 kicks in and out, and won't steer. Driving is difficult and vehicle barely moves. When called Chrysler they don't know what it is and suggest trying multiple different things but nothing is guaranteed, and will cost thousands of dollars to fix more than the cost of the vehicle. While vehicle is not turned on but key is in hand you can hear the actuating motor clicking in and out. Very difficult to drive and when vehicle stalls won't start back up. A safety hazard on the highway, and apparently there are numerous complaints of the same kind. This needs to be addressed by Chrysler.
- Manlius, NY, USA
Having 3 major issues that can be life threatening..1) driving at any speed sometimes vehicle will completely shut off leaving me on the highway at 60mph no power steering 2) filling gas tank up no matter if I go slow will always spit lots of gas back out of the neck 3) 4X4 is engaging by itself. I can park it turn motor off and you can hear it going into 4X4 without me being in the vehicle or touching the 4X4 knob. This has cause me issue steering when it decides to go into 4X4 mode by itself. I need to know if their is current complaints about the above issues and how can I get them fix without me paying.
- Brunswick, MD, USA
When I'm driving in traffic (approx 30-45 mph) or stopped at a light, my vehicle randomly shuts off. There's no indication this will happen. No lights flash or anything. The truck simply stops. I take it to mechanics and they say they can't identify the problem--but they recognize there's a problem. I'm fearful for the safety of my family in the vehicle and/or anyone we encounter when this happens. It's nearly impossible to steer the vehicle out of traffic, and the steering locks up as well. I've had the cooling system flushed, transmission replaced to no avail. Is there a recall on this thing?! there sure should be! I'm sure someone has died by now due to this malfunction.
- Columbia, SC, USA
Was driving along and the "4lo" light had been flashing on and off intermittently for about 3 weeks. Occasionally the "svc AWD" light would flash afterwards. When the latter happened, the car would lock into 4 wheel drive from AWD. But when the crash happened, the transfer case actually shifted into 4lo and the rear wheels locked up and the car spun sideways and stopped quick enough to avoid any damage or injury. No one at Dodge can explain this, or fix it.
- Cary, IL, USA
While. I'm driving my SUV lock up the 4 wheel light come on out of no where and then 4 low light come on I have been smelling a burning smell and don't know where it's coming from everyone whom look at it don't know what's wrong. All I know is yesterday I was on the highway and the same thing happen again with no warning even when I lock my car door I hear this funny noise.
- Springfield, MA, USA
Svc light comes on and if engaged in 4 wheel drive! the passenger air bag light goes on and off. Sometimes all electrical goes hay wire...svc, radio, cd player and air bag light.
- Warren, MI, USA
My Durango shift into 4 wheel hi and 4 wheel lo by itself while driving and while sitting. This cause my truck while driving to jerk and it locks the wheels up. This situation causes difficulty to turn also.
- Racine, WI, USA
Summary: When I parked and exited/locked my 2005 Dodge Durango, I could hear the transfer case switching all on its own. On my way home the svc 4WD light lit and then 4lo began flashing. We left on vacation and when I came home and backed the car out there was a loud noise and it is undriveable. I have read many reports of other ownwer's vehicles doing the same thing on years 2004 & 2005 with the hemi motor and the dealers not knowing what is going on and charging several expensive repairs for different findings not always fixing the problem.
- St. Louis, MO, USA
The power train or something starts to change gears when you unlock the doors. The car is not even running and it starts shifting. Sometimes it locks itself into 4 wheel drive, when you are going down the street.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
- Pinconning, MI, USA