2021 Dodge Durango Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Dodge Durango, 5% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The heating hose exploded due to unknown pressure and ended up getting steaming, hot coolant, and all the cylinders and causing engine failure on a Dodge Durango that I purchased 80 days ago. and I have manufacturer, the dealer and an extended warranty, and after verbal and written promises, now I’m left with almost a $20,000 bill and no car and wasting money on rentals. I have filed to BBB and other complaints towards the dealership. I have tons of other people who have had similar problems with this year and model and newer.”
NHTSA complaint #11666371, filed 2025-06“The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message Switch to Park and select a Gear was displayed with an audible alarm. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11658089, filed 2025-05, 63,000 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission was skipping gear. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward or reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The check engine message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the transmission. The mechanic informed the contact that the parts to repair the vehicle were on back order. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11613808, filed 2024-09, 84,000 miles“The contact owned a 2021 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and turning in an exit veering to the right when the vehicle began reducing in speed and the vehicle was displaying numbers counting down on the instrument panel. The contact pulled to the side of the road where they turned the vehicle off and waited approximately 5 - 10 minutes before turning the vehicle back on and driving to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure therefore they were unable to diagnose the cause. The vehicle had not been repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11510847, filed 2023-03, 44,722 miles“The transmission slips during initial acceleration and causes the driver to dangerously accelerate ahead unexpectedly.This has been occuring since I purchased the vehicle in July of 2021.”
NHTSA complaint #11485684, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 11038329Sep 30, 2026The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn…
- 11037594Sep 24, 2026Transmission kit - with torque converter
- 11037593Sep 24, 2026Transmission kit - with torque converter
- 11031337Apr 8, 2026Power Liftgate Inoperative.
- 11030138Mar 9, 2026The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV…
- 11029758Feb 27, 2026Flash: 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…
- 11029770Feb 25, 2026Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV transmissions that have fault codes P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90…
- 11020855Jul 14, 2025To 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…
- 11020636Jul 4, 2025850RE D Clutch Repair Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must have at least 11,265 km (7,000 mi.) and exhibit/set one or…
- 11018453May 12, 2025"Transmission Fluid Please note fluid color/condition/odor is NOT an indicator of transmission health and should not be used as the reason for unit replacement. Visible…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 14% |
| 2024 | 5 | 36% |
| 2023 | 9 | 28% |
| 2022 | 9 | 15% |
| 2021 | 10 | 5% |
| 2020 | 3 | 5% |
| 2019 | 13 | 9% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 11% |
| 2016 | 30 | 19% |
| 2015 | 38 | 8% |
| 2014 | 42 | 5% |
| 2013 | 34 | 5% |
| 2012 | 37 | 6% |
| 2011 | 51 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 18 | 9% |
| 2006 | 55 | 6% |
| 2005 | 217 | 14% |
| 2004 | 99 | 9% |
| 2003 | 24 | 7% |
| 2002 | 71 | 17% |
| 2001 | 106 | 16% |
| 2000 | 120 | 11% |
| 1999 | 181 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2021 Dodge Durango
92 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Dodge Durango
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology