Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Dodge durango. While the vehicle was in the park position, it began to roll away and rolled over the driver. A police report was not filed. The driver sustained major injuries to the left leg, which required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000. The…
2015 Dodge Durango powertrain problems
severe 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
17crashes
9injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 38 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Dodge Durango, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 38 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Durango powertrain complaints center on three critical categories: transmission shift failures, electrical stalling and faults, and runaway vehicle incidents.
Transmission Park Failure. Multiple owners report their Durangos rolling away unexpectedly after being placed in Park. The vehicle rolls backward or forward regardless of terrain or whether the engine is running. One owner's child was in the car when it rolled down the driveway into the street; another owner was struck and injured while unloading groceries. A few owners noted they may not have fully engaged the rotary shifter knob, but the sheer frequency of incidents—often on level ground with the engine still running—suggests the transmission itself fails to lock. One owner's incident occurred at a dealership while a mechanic was supposedly positioning the vehicle. Owners also report the vehicle shifting unexpectedly to Neutral or Reverse while in motion, with some experiencing U0100 codes.
Electrical and Stalling Faults. One owner detailed repeated stalling, false fault codes (oil pressure low, service throttle, service transmission), trunk opening on its own, and ignition stuck in Run. These events clustered after thunderstorms, suggesting moisture ingress. The dealership replaced the battery at the owner's expense with no improvement.
Harsh Transmission Shifting. Multiple owners report violent jerking between gears, especially 1st to 2nd, severe enough they fear it could cause an accident. Dealerships acknowledge the issue but claim it falls below the threshold for warranty repair unless the transmission stops working entirely.
Headrest Airbag Deployment. One reported spontaneous airbag deployment at 65 mph with no collision; the dealership denied warranty coverage.
Dealerships consistently report inability to replicate issues or diagnose root causes despite repair attempts including module reprogramming. Dodge issued an August 2018 notice about "repairs needed" (not labeled a recall) but reportedly limited it to pickup trucks.
Same Dodge Durango powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission fails to engage or stay in Park; vehicle rolls away unattended
The transmission does not properly lock into Park position when shifted. Vehicles roll away while parked, with the engine running or off, even on level ground and with parking brake unused. Owners report putting the vehicle in Park but it shifts back into Reverse, Neutral, or Drive without input. Multiple incidents involve the vehicle rolling into houses, garages, trees, mailboxes, neighbors' property, and striking pedestrians. Some owners had to rely on the emergency brake to prevent further rolling.
When: Reported from 5,404 miles to 86,000 miles; incidents span from early operation to several years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward or forward while in Park with engine running; Vehicle does not remain in Park position after shifting; No warning lights or audio cues when Park fails; Transmission shifts unexpectedly to Neutral, Reverse, or Drive; Rotary shifter fails to lock vehicle into Park; Vehicle continues rolling even after electronic parking brake engages
Codes mentioned: U0100, U0002-88
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships report inability to replicate issue or diagnose root cause. No repairs documented as successful. One owner notes transmission stress fracture in housing found during teardown; unable to replace due to unavailable supply.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge issued notice in August 2018 referenced as 'repairs needed' (not labeled as recall) for some models; update mentioned by dealership for pickup trucks only, not extended to Durango. Recall NHTSA 18V-332 mentioned in two narratives related to unintended acceleration.
Unintended acceleration or unexpected forward/reverse motion
Vehicle suddenly accelerates forward or backward without driver input, or applies excessive throttle when brakes are being applied. Engine RPM increases toward maximum despite braking attempt. Incidents occur both while driving and immediately after parking. Several crashes result from this defect.
When: Reported from low mileage through several years of ownership; unintended acceleration at 65 mph on freeway, in city streets, and from parked state.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while in motion (on city streets and highways); Vehicle leaps forward suddenly while slowing; Engine races and RPM gauge climbs when brakes applied; Vehicle attempts to move forward while owner applies brakes; Vehicle accelerates in reverse immediately after being parked
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports attending dealership; issue not replicated and no repairs completed. Recall NHTSA 18V-332 fix was applied after second accident in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 18V-332 issued for unintended acceleration; owners made appointments to have fix applied after experiencing accidents.
Electrical system faults causing stalling, failure to start, and parasitic power drain
Engine stalls while driving or fails to start. Instrument cluster displays multiple fault codes (Vehicle Phone Requires Service, Service Airbag System, Oil Pressure Low, Service Electronic Throttle Control, Service Electronic Brakes, Brake Fluid Low, Service Transmission). Trunk randomly opens. Ignition stuck in Run position with all gear lights illuminated. All stalls and no-start events accompanied by U0100 code. Issues appear linked to moisture intrusion after thunderstorms and heavy rain.
When: Reported at 73,000 miles (odometer reading questioned); multiple incidents occurring over a single month period (April–June 2020).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving; electronics remain on; Engine fails to turn over despite ignition and instrument cluster responding; Multiple false fault codes displayed on instrument cluster; Trunk opens randomly while vehicle parked and off; Ignition stuck in Run position; P/R/N/D gear selector lights all illuminate simultaneously; Errors clear after vehicle dries out following rain/storms
Codes mentioned: U0100
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced battery at owner's cost; issue persisted. No other repairs successful. Owner had to disconnect battery to reset electronics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge corporate advised owner to take vehicle to different dealership; no other resolution provided.
Transmission shift harshness and flare shifting
Transmission shifts abruptly between gears with jarring motion. Hard shifts occur from 1st to 2nd, 6th to 5th, 4th to 3rd, and 3rd to 2nd. Jerk is severe enough that owner believes it could cause accidents. Gear selector light flashes while driving. Transmission may display wrong gear while actually in another.
When: Problem reported as very well known and widespread; specific mileage not stated in most cases.
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear (feels like being hit from behind); Hard downshifts (6th to 5th, 4th to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd) with less severity than upshift; Gear selector light flashing; Vehicle stuck in last gear when commanded to shift; requires engine shutdown and reset; Transmission shows wrong gear display while actually in different gear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships claim not to feel the issue and decline warranty work; owner reports technician stated Dodge will not authorize repairs unless transmission is inoperable. Owner reports powertrain module reprogrammed three times without lasting improvement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall on powertrain module mentioned as subject to at least two recalls.
Headrest/seat-mounted airbag deploys without collision
Driver-seat headrest airbag deployed spontaneously while vehicle was being driven at highway speed with no collision or accident. Headrest popped open and became inoperable. Dealership confirmed it was an airbag deployment but denied warranty coverage.
When: At 3 years of vehicle age; occurred while driving on freeway at 65 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Headrest airbag deploys without collision or impact; Popping sound at driver seat headrest; Headrest remains permanently open after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership declined warranty coverage for airbag repair. Owner also told motor mounts require replacement at 3 years old.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage offered. Dealership referred owner to contact 800 number; no response received after 2+ weeks.
Brake system warning lights with no actual brake failure
Instrument cluster displays false brake and electronic brake control warnings (Service Electronic Brakes, Brake Fluid Low) that resolve after vehicle dries out. Warning lights come and go with no apparent mechanical issue.
When: Reported during or immediately after thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Electronic Brakes warning; Brake Fluid Low warning; Parking brake light cycling on and off; Warnings clear after vehicle dries
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs needed; errors self-resolve. Issue appears electrical/moisture-related.
Rear taillight failures causing citations and insurance issues
Rear taillights completely fail to illuminate, particularly the rear light bar and race track taillights, even though brake lights function. Owner receives citations and cannot obtain insurance because vehicle fails inspection. Issue appears widespread.
When: Noticed after heavy rain.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear taillight completely non-functional; Race track taillights out while brake lights remain on; Citations issued for inoperable lights; Insurance refuses to cover vehicle without light repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer (Mega Motors, Houston area) stated unable to help with issue.
Transmission will not shift into any gear; permanent lock-up
Transmission becomes completely unresponsive and will not shift into any gear. Seat belts fastened, doors closed. Issue recurs despite multiple dealership visits and module programming attempts.
When: After multiple years of ownership; issue persists despite recalls on shift module.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission will not shift to any gear; No response to shifter input; Persists despite multiple programming attempts
Codes mentioned: U0002-88
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership denies codes present and blames customer error despite owner never erasing codes. Powertrain module subject to at least two recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership blames customer error; no repair offered.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I have expected unintended roll away on two occasions. The truck was running and put in park and as I exited the vehicle it rolled forward. The first time it hit a parked car, in a parking lot, no damage resulted. The second time was in the driveway, I manged to stop it with out incident. This durango is equipped with the electronic rotary shifter.
I read an article in usa today that the nhtsais investigating vehicle transmissions that use a rotary control. About a year ago, I pulled into the driveway, shifted into park and exited the vehicle. As I was walking down the driveway I turned around and saw my car backing up into the street and across the road where it struck a block wall. I was sure that I must have not fully turned the knob…
While my durango was in the shop for complaints of flare shifting and other shifting issues mechanic placed the durango in park and exited the vehicle leaving it running. At that time it was not in motion. It subsequently drove into his toolbox damaging the front bumper and hood. The mechanic insists he did nothing wrong and it just happened. The vehicle was in a dealership garage. There…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 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 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 18,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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/2015/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.