Plate - Planetary
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Durango powertrain problems
severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
4injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GEAR MOTOR, Transfer Case The gear motor assembly is shipped in AWD/2WD position. The transfer case needs to be positioned in AWD/2WD position to properly assemble gear motor to T-Case. Please reference Star Online publication S2121000003 for further details. Do not have the transfer case in in another position other than AWD/2WD and rotate the motor to align the bolt holes as this could result in damage to the gear motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transfer Case Gear Motor/Actuator Installation Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a Durango that stalls without warning on highways, at stop lights, and during deceleration—sometimes multiple times in short trips. One owner replaced the camshaft sensor, crank sensor, ignition coils, and relays without stopping the problem. Another had their lifetime warranty voided after taking the vehicle in for early diagnosis.
The transfer case is a chronic problem. It shifts into 4WD and 4WD LOW on its own while driving, parked, or when unlocking the doors. At highway speeds, this triggers engine revs to 6000 rpm and nearly loses control. Owners hear the transfer case actuator clicking and shifting even with the key out and engine off. Dealers have replaced the motor and switch, but failures recur and parts go on backorder.
Transmission problems range from unexpected downshifts and lack of acceleration to the vehicle jumping out of gear or rolling backward. One owner was struck by their own Durango after it rolled when they removed the keys from the ignition. Another had the transmission erroneously accelerate to 40 mph while shifting into reverse, causing a crash.
Owners also report a sticking gas pedal that recurred after warranty repair, electrical faults with an overcharging alternator and cycling check engine light, and shift solenoid issues causing no-power conditions. Multiple owners say the vehicle displays persistent warning lights and transmission noise during deceleration.
Same Dodge Durango powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Random stalling while driving and idling
Engine stalls unexpectedly at highway speeds, stop lights, and during deceleration. Owners report multiple stalls in short distances, loss of power in traffic, and inability to restart immediately. One owner replaced camshaft sensor, crank sensor, ignition coils, PCU and ASD relays without resolution. The stalling pattern is unpredictable and recurs after repair attempts, creating a safety hazard.
When: Several months of occurrence; one instance reported after 45k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stalls without warning at highway speed (60 mph); Stalls while idling at stop lights; Stalls when slowing down; Multiple stalls in short trips (3 in 12 miles); Loss of all engine power during stall; Engine will not restart after stall; Hard transmission shifts at times
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports replacing camshaft sensor, crank sensor, ignition coils, PCU and ASD relays; dealer diagnostic attempts unsuccessful; dealer voided lifetime warranty citing early inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime warranty voided; owner states dealer provided no meaningful recall or service bulletin despite forum reports of similar issues in other Dodge models
Transmission downshift and lack of acceleration
Transmission unexpectedly downshifts from 4th to 3rd gear while driving on interstate. Vehicle exhibits reduced acceleration as if transmission is stuck in high gear after restart. Fluid replacement and filter service do not resolve the issue. Dealer quoted over $2000 for repair.
When: Occurring at approximately 75k miles based on context
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden downshift from 4th to 3rd gear while driving; Lack of acceleration after downshift event; Transmission appears stuck in high gear
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid drained, filters replaced, transmission refilled; no leaks detected; dealer quoted over $2000; owner unable to afford repair
Transfer case actuator failure and AWD/4WD engagement
Transfer case motor and actuator failure causing unintended 4WD engagement. FWD indicator illuminates intermittently during low-speed maneuvers. Vehicle shifts into 4WD and 4WD LOW without driver input, sometimes while parked or with key out of ignition. Transfer case motor replaced but failure recurred. Subsequent diagnosis identified faulty transfer case actuator but part was on backorder. Multiple owners report hearing actuator activating when vehicle is off.
When: Failure at 74,900 miles (one owner); recurring 7 months post-repair; another at 120k miles; occurs during motion, while parked, and when activating power locks or unlock button
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE 4WD light comes on and goes off intermittently; Vehicle shifts into 4WD independently without driver input; Vehicle shifts into 4WD LOW while driving at highway speeds (70 mph); FWD indicator illuminates intermittently; Transfer case shifts with vehicle off when power locks activated; Actuator activates while vehicle is off and without key in ignition; Engine RPM increases to 6000 during unexpected 4WD LOW engagement; Unexpected shift into 4WD during low-speed turns; Transmission stuck and unresponsive during 4WD engagement event
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case motor replaced; transfer case and switch replaced at dealer; actuator diagnosed as faulty but part on backorder; independent mechanic replaced transfer case motor and switch but failure recurred and vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in multiple instances; dealer advised vehicle not under recall
Unintended transmission engagement and shift to neutral
Vehicle jumps out of gear or shifts to neutral unexpectedly while in drive or reverse. One incident involved vehicle rolling backward after keys removed from ignition while parked, resulting in injury. Another involved erroneous acceleration to 40 mph while shifting into reverse, causing crash.
When: One at 25k miles (failure mileage); another at 131k miles; one at approximately 102k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jumps out of gear after keys removed from ignition; Vehicle rolls backward when placed in gear; Transmission shifts into neutral automatically while reversing; Transmission becomes resistant to shifting and slips in and out of gear; Vehicle erroneously accelerates to 40 mph while shifting into reverse
Repairs/costs cited: Emergency brake did not hold vehicle; transmission not repaired in one case; dealer advised not under recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted in multiple instances; dealer provided no assistance when notified
Stuck or sticking accelerator pedal
Gas pedal sticks or becomes stuck, causing unintended acceleration. Initial occurrence at 2 years of ownership resolved with pedal assembly replacement under warranty. Recurrence 2+ years later resulted in uncontrolled acceleration and crash into fixed structure. Pedal makes clicking noise when sticking.
When: First occurrence April 2009 (approximately 2 years after purchase); second occurrence November 2011 (approximately 4+ years total ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal sticks with clicking noise; Sudden unintended acceleration; Vehicle accelerates out of control
Repairs/costs cited: Entire pedal assembly replaced under warranty for first occurrence; second occurrence not repaired before crash
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First repair covered under warranty; no follow-up or recall after second occurrence
Electrical system faults and check engine light cycling
Alternator overcharges battery requiring replacement of both components. Check engine light comes on and off erratically, setting different codes despite repairs to flagged components. Codes indicate large evap leak, small evap leak, EGR shorted to ground, AIT out of spec. Transmission shifts erratically during cruise control at low speeds (5th to 3rd, 5th to 4th). Speedometer jumps between 1500 and 3000 rpm at constant speed during cruise control. Owner reports multiple electrical faults with no permanent resolution.
When: Ongoing electrical issues affecting multiple systems
Symptoms owners cite: Alternator overcharges battery; Check engine light comes on and off intermittently (sometimes off for weeks, sometimes daily); Different diagnostic codes set repeatedly; Large evap leak indicated; Small evap leak indicated; EGR shorted to ground; AIT out of spec; Transmission shifts from 5th to 3rd to 5th to 4th at low speed during cruise; Speedometer jumps from 1500 to 3000 rpm at same vehicle speed; Vehicle suddenly died at low speed but was able to restart; Overcharging battery issue persists after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator and battery replaced; diagnosis remains incomplete despite multiple code pulls and component replacements
Transmission shift solenoid malfunction
Check engine light indicates transmission shift solenoid replacement needed. Vehicle has no power when accelerating from stop when check engine light is on. Poor gas mileage reported.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on during acceleration; No power when taking off; Poor gas mileage
Codes mentioned: Transmission shift solenoid code
Repairs/costs cited: Shift solenoid replacement recommended by computer diagnostic
Multiple warning lights and transmission noise
Vehicle displays six warning lights simultaneously that do not clear. Bumping noise heard in transmission gears when slowing down before stopping (not at all times). Lights present both when vehicle is stationary and in motion.
When: Ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Six warning lights displayed; Bumping noise in transmission gears during deceleration; Warning lights do not clear
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Dodge Durango?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 73,950 and 157,890 miles, with the median around 120,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 73,950; a quarter make it past 157,890. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Durango.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.