Power Liftgate Inoperative.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Dodge Durango powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Dodge Durango have filed 41 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 33,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Durango | 48 |
| 2012 Durango | 33 |
| 2013 Durango | 33 |
| 2014 Durango (this page) | 41 |
| 2015 Durango | 38 |
| 2016 Durango | 30 |
| 2017 Durango | 22 |
| 2018 Durango | 13 |
7crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 41 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 41 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Plate - Planetary
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transmission Shift Enhancements - Adaptation Drive Learn Procedure
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Durango powertrain complaints cluster around three distinct failure patterns. Most alarming are unintended park-to-drive/reverse rollaway events that strike owners across multiple scenarios—parked on level ground, inclined driveways, and parking lots. Owners report the transmission dial shows "P" illuminated while the vehicle moves independently, sometimes with the engine still running. Several rollaway incidents resulted in property damage and direct injury to occupants attempting to stop the moving vehicle.
Electrical system malfunctions appear in a secondary pattern: sudden total loss of power while driving at highway speeds (losing engine, brakes, steering, and lighting), dashboard displays going dark mid-operation, inability to shift out of park after warning lights illuminate, and repeated BCM (body control module) failures. One complaint documented a faulty wiring harness; another required BCM replacement that failed again within weeks.
Transmission shift faults comprise the third pattern: vehicle stuck in gear, unable to shift into drive or park, slipping while shifting, hard upshifts with audible clunks, hesitation during acceleration, and transmission refusal to engage after restart. Owners also report valve body defects requiring transmission teardown, with problems recurring shortly after repair.
Engine-related concerns include premature cam lifter and rocker arm wear (multiple occurrences within one year), water pump failure causing coolant loss and catastrophic engine damage, intake seal installation defects trapping coolant in cylinders, and exhaust odor entering the cabin. Oil cooler leaks and transfer case fluid leaks were documented.
Same Dodge Durango powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Park Rollaway
Vehicle shifts out of park or fails to hold park position despite transmission dial showing P illuminated, rolling forward or backward—sometimes with engine running. Occurs on level ground, inclines, and parking lots. Multiple instances per vehicle in some cases.
When: Parked at driveways, parking lots, boat launches; typically within first 100,000 miles; some early (900 miles, 31,498 miles), others after 95,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle moves while parked with transmission in park; Transmission dial illuminated to P but vehicle not held in gear; Vehicle rolls forward or backward unexpectedly; Engine still idling while vehicle moves; Multiple rollaway events on same vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers found defective valve body (replaced in complaint #1); most rollaway complaints show no diagnostic testing, some dealers stated 'no fix available' (complaint #4); one shop observed shifter jump into gear but declined repair when 'flight recorder' not connected (complaint #12)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall investigations acknowledged but no recall issued for 2014 model; NHTSA investigation cited in complaints; warranty claims filed but some denied
Electrical System Shutdown in Motion
Total loss of electrical power while vehicle is operating on road, resulting in loss of engine power, brakes, steering, and lighting. Dashboard displays black out, warning messages appear briefly. Occurs during normal freeway driving and city streets.
When: While driving at highway speeds (50 mph) and city speeds (20-30 mph); incidents in rain and dry conditions; one recurrence after BCM replacement within 3 days
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Complete loss of power steering and brakes; Dash display goes blank or flashes; Windshield wipers turn on intermittently; Horn honking and headlights flashing erratically; Speakers making strange noises; Cannot accelerate; vehicle loses motive power; Vehicle downshifts abruptly
Codes mentioned: Computer faults (unspecified), Check engine light, ABS fault lights, Brake warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer blamed rain causing electrical short (complaint #2); BCM (body control module) replacement performed (complaints #5, #7), wiring harness identified as faulty (complaint #5); problem recurred after BCM change; diagnostics run but codes reset by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls U65 (PCM update) and U06 (autopark functionality) incorporated by dealers (complaint #6); no permanent fix documented
Transmission Shift Engagement Failure
Transmission fails to engage into drive, reverse, or park; vehicle stuck in gear unable to shift. Shift indicators flash on dashboard. Engine revs but vehicle remains stationary or vehicle stuck in neutral.
When: At startup after parking on inclines (complaint #3); after highway driving (complaint #27 at 3,200 miles); mid-journey (complaints #25, #40); across multiple mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift into any gear; Engine revs when accelerator pressed but no response; Shift indicators flashing on dash and shift knob; Vehicle stuck in park unable to shift to drive; Vehicle stuck in drive unable to shift to park; Requires 15-20 minutes of brake manipulation to engage gear; Temporary workaround: very light brake pressure allows shift to engage
Codes mentioned: Transmission control module faults (suspected by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #3 owner suspected TCM or logic failure; complaint #25 required transmission work (towed to dealer); complaint #27 dealer eventually diagnosed transmission flaw requiring replacement
Transmission Shift Quality Degradation
Hard shifting, clunking, slipping, hesitation during gear transitions. Transmission slips when shifting to second gear, makes audible clunks during shifts. Vehicle loses power response during acceleration.
When: After valve body replacement (complaint #1 recurred within 2 months); at 65,000 miles (complaint #17); at 126,000 miles (complaint #19); various mileages during acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Hard slamming from 2nd to 3rd gear; Large clunk when shifting from 2nd to 1st gear; Transmission slipping while shifting to 2nd gear; Vehicle loses power and fails to respond with RPM elevated; Transmission message displayed: 'Shift to Park and Restart'; Delayed acceleration response or hesitation; Stuck in 6th gear unable to shift up or down
Repairs/costs cited: Valve body replacement (complaint #1); transmission replacement required (complaints #19, #27); some shifts occur after short drives post-repair suggesting recurring defect; dealers recommend 60K mile service as prerequisite for cam lifter/rocker repair coverage
Cam Lifter and Rocker Arm Wear
Premature wear of exhaust cam lifters and rocker arms causing clicking noise during engine operation. Problem recurs on same side or opposite side within 6-12 months after replacement.
When: Around 65,000 miles (complaint #17); first instance at 65K miles, replacement required twice more within 1 year (complaint #9); occurring repeatedly every 6 months after initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise when engine running; Noise increases with RPM
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced under warranty (complaint #9 first replacement Oct 2017); second replacement summer 2018; third replacement needed Dec 2018; dealer stated left side would eventually fail but could not address until problem presented; repair cost $1,800 if not covered under 60K mile service plan (complaint #17); dealers noted this is common issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer surprised this was not recalled per complaint #9; no recall action documented
Engine Coolant System Failure
Water pump failure causing coolant loss, elevated engine temperature, and catastrophic engine damage. Intake seal installation defect allowing coolant to enter cylinders.
When: Complaint #11 while traveling on interstate 80 miles from home; complaint #16 at unknown mileage but caught on startup
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant warning light illuminates; Temperature gauge runs hot; Engine light comes on; Engine will not restart after overheating; Water in cylinders #7 and #8 (complaint #16); Rattling sound on startup
Codes mentioned: Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replaced but then catastrophic engine damage discovered (complaint #11); intake seals found not installed properly in bores, suspect bent connecting rods (complaint #16); pressure test held fine with no leaks (complaint #16) suggesting assembly defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA extended warranty on water pump but refused to cover engine damage claiming customer continued driving with check engine light on (complaint #11); warranty dispute documented
Oil and Fluid Leaks
Oil cooler leakage and transfer case fluid leaks. Puddles of oil under vehicle.
When: Complaint #14 early ownership (3 weeks, ~30,000 miles on used vehicle); complaint #21 at 129,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Large puddles of oil in driveway; Sputtering noises from engine; Oil on undercarriage; Transfer case fluid leaking; Loud popping sounds from rear end
Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler leak diagnosed and replaced (complaint #14); transfer case and motor mounts identified as needing replacement (complaint #21); not repaired per complaint
Exhaust Odor in Cabin
Exhaust smell entering vehicle interior during acceleration and steady driving with air conditioning on recirculation. Repeatable and noticeable to multiple occupants.
When: Shortly after acquiring vehicle (complaint #8, new purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust smell filling cabin; Occurs during acceleration 40-45 mph with AC recirculation on; Repeatable occurrence; Noticeable to multiple passengers
Repairs/costs cited: Rear cabin air exhausters replaced; lift gate grommets replaced; software update attempted; second dealership unable to determine cause or origin of leak and labeled it as 'smell'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Non-feasible vehicle replacement offered
Acceleration Hesitation and Stumble
Delayed throttle response or engine misfiring sensation during acceleration, particularly at low speeds. Check engine light flashes then clears.
When: Complaint #24 at light acceleration from stop; complaint #39 at 20-30 mph when attempting to pass
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation as if misfiring or not getting fuel; Up and down shifting; Hard upshifting; Vehicle will not accelerate; Check engine light flashing; Delayed response after pressing gas pedal
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing then clearing)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #24: Dealership scanned, found no codes stored; advised customer to drive until light stays on; complaint #39: owner planned to follow up with dealer
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge durango. While the vehicle was parked and the shift lever was in the park position, the vehicle rolled forward and crashed into the contact's residence. There was no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000. The VIN was not available.
The car is making an annoying "whining noise/hum" when driving. As the speed increases so does the noise. I have had the 2014 durango citadel (v6) 2 years and have approximately 16,000 miles on it. I started to notice the noise around 12,000 miles. The tires are inflated at the recommended tire pressure and have been recently rotated. This has had no effect on the level of noise. I spoke…
Wife went to start up vehicle and it would not crank over.called aaa for a jump. It crank and started with a rattle can sound.I came home to verify sound. It did such sound as she explained. I'm a mechanic and removed valve cover to check for rocker damage none found. I removed intake and found water in #7and #8 cylinder.I looked at seals on intake and found not installed properly. The seals were…
After parking in my driveway which is on a very slight angle to the street, I went inside and sat down. A few minutes later, my neighbor came to the door and told me my car was in the street. It had rolled back about 50 feet . The vehicle was still locked and showed it was in park. Thank god there were no injuries.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 41 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 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 10,100 and 72,500 miles, with the median around 33,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,100; a quarter make it past 72,500. 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/2014/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.