Power Liftgate Inoperative.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Dodge Durango powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2021 Dodge Durango have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain 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 →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Durango | 22 |
| 2018 Durango | 13 |
| 2019 Durango | 10 |
| 2020 Durango | 3 |
| 2021 Durango (this page) | 10 |
| 2022 Durango | 9 |
| 2023 Durango | 8 |
| 2024 Durango | 5 |
1crash
1injury
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 ↗Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates **Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle may SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● P0300-00 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire - in Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0301-00 - Cylinder 1 Misfire - in Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0302-00 - Cylinder 2 Misfire - in Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0303-00 - Cylinder 3 Misfire - in Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0304-00 - Cylinder 4 Misfire - in Active or Stored status set
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV transmissions that have fault codes P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗To inform dealers about the 850RE valve body PN: R8348504A connector: the original 16-pin connector included six pins that were not used in this application. To simplify the design, the connector has been optimized and updated to a 10-pin configuration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report cooling system failures on 2021 Durangos, with coolant lines rupturing where they pass near the transmission and frame. One owner experienced hose rupture at 62,000 miles causing $3,600 in repairs; another's heating hose exploded after 80 days of ownership, spraying hot coolant across cylinders and causing complete engine failure, leaving them with a $20,000 repair bill. A third owner reports transmission cooling lines rubbing the frame.
More alarming are powertrain electrical failures. One vehicle lost all power while turning at 70 mph, then three weeks later experienced uncontrolled acceleration during braking at 40 mph, resulting in a totaled vehicle and the driver's injury—the airbag never deployed. Another stalled at highway speed with dead brakes, dead steering, and a locked-up horn; the dealer found corrosion on the engine control modules. A third vehicle's transmission locked in park while losing power, tied to a failed camshaft actuator and CAN BUS communication fault.
Transmission issues span from slipping during acceleration (present since purchase in one case) to complete gear skip and failure to move forward or reverse. At 63,000–84,000 miles, some require full transmission replacement. Dealers frequently cannot reproduce these faults and manufacturers have offered minimal support.
Same Dodge Durango powertrain reports on nearby years: 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant line rupture and transmission heater hose failure
Coolant lines—including rear coolant tubes supplying the rear HVAC system and transmission heater hoses—rupture or fail due to abrasion against transmission housing and vehicle frame. The ruptures cause coolant loss, engine overheating, and complete loss of rear AC function. One owner reported the heating hose exploded due to unknown pressure, spraying hot coolant across cylinders and causing engine failure.
When: 62,000 miles (complaint #1); 80 days of ownership (complaint #7); unspecified (complaint #10)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating warning light; Loss of rear air conditioning; Visible coolant leaks; Smell of coolant; Hose explosion with hot coolant discharge; Complete engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership estimated repair cost at approximately $3,600 (complaint #1). Another owner reports a nearly $20,000 repair bill after engine failure (complaint #7). Transmission cooling lines and heater hoses require replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One complaint mentions Warranty Solutions (third-party provider) denied coverage (complaint #1). Manufacturer and extended warranty coverage denied in at least one case (complaint #7).
Unexpected loss of motive power and uncontrolled acceleration with brake failure
Vehicle loses engine power without warning while driving at highway speeds. In one incident, the vehicle displayed a countdown timer on the instrument panel, then unexpectedly accelerated uncontrollably while the driver attempted to brake. The brake system did not respond, and the airbag failed to deploy during the resulting collision. This failure occurred approximately 3 weeks after the first loss-of-power event; the dealer could not diagnose the initial incident.
When: 44,722 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power at highway speed; Instrument panel countdown display; Uncontrolled acceleration while braking; Brake failure; Airbag non-deployment during crash; Vehicle entered roundabout uncontrollably, resulting in collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was totaled in collision. No repairs attempted; dealer could not duplicate failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Engine stall with loss of critical electrical and mechanical functions
Vehicle stalls without warning at highway speeds. During the stall event, the steering wheel locks, brakes become inoperable, horn sounds continuously, and windshield wipers stop functioning. Diagnostic testing revealed corrosion on the engine control module (PCM/ECM/ECU), causing widespread electrical system malfunction.
When: 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall at highway speed; Power steering inoperable; Brake failure; Horn activation without control; Windshield wipers inoperable; Multiple unknown warning lights and audible alarms
Codes mentioned: 68490871AA - PCM/ECM/ECU corrosion, 68499393AA - PCM/ECM/ECU corrosion
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired at time of complaint. Corrosion on engine control modules was identified as the root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA hotline without providing direct assistance.
Powertrain electrical failure with loss of power and transmission lock
Vehicle experiences sudden loss of power while driving and the transmission becomes mechanically locked in park. Multiple warning lights illuminate, and the vehicle cannot be shifted out of park. Dealer diagnostic testing identified failure of the bank #1 camshaft position actuator #2 and CAN BUS communication module malfunction. The fault recurs intermittently and cannot be reliably reproduced by the dealer.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Transmission gear shifter locked in park; Multiple warning lights including check engine; Unknown warning lights and alarms; Intermittent recurrence of failure
Codes mentioned: Bank #1 Camshaft Position Actuator #2 failure, CAN BUS communication failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified.
Transmission slipping and failure to engage gears
Transmission slips and skips gears during acceleration and at various speeds. Vehicle fails to move forward or reverse when commanded. The failure occurs without illumination of warning lights (in some cases) or with check engine message displayed. At higher mileage, the transmission requires complete replacement due to internal failure.
When: 63,000–84,000 miles; occurring since July 2021 purchase in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping during initial acceleration; Unexpected rapid acceleration when driver did not intend it; Transmission skipping gears; Failure to move forward or reverse; Check engine light (in some cases); Message 'Switch to Park and select a Gear' with audible alarm
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic determined transmission failure; parts on back order at time of complaint (complaint #5). One dealer diagnosed faulty transmission requiring replacement, not yet repaired (complaint #6).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided no assistance in at least one case (complaint #5). Manufacturer not yet notified in another case (complaint #6).
Electric Power Steering (EPS) system failure
Electric power steering system fails while driving, causing the steering wheel to become extremely stiff and difficult to turn.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very stiff; Steering wheel extremely difficult to turn; Loss of power steering assist while driving
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The engine cooling system on my 2021 Dodge Durango GT failed due to ruptured coolant lines, including the rear coolant tubes supplying the rear air conditioning system and both transmission heater hoses. These lines carry engine coolant to the rear HVAC system and transmission. The ruptures caused coolant loss and engine overheating during normal operation. The failure appears related to the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Dodge Durango?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 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?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 61,944 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2021/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.