2016 Dodge Durango: engine and transmission complaints
HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
45%
45 of 101 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
45% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Dodge Durango are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 55% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 60 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 28%).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
POWER TRAIN04/22/2019CRASH1 INJURED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, IT ROLLED BACK AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES WHILE RUNNING AFTER THE VEHICLE AND BRUISED BOTH KNEES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
POWER TRAIN12/20/2016CRASH1 INJURED
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, ENGINE RUNNING, WHILE OWNER WAS PUMPING GAS AT THE STATION. WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR, HE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND NOT MOVING FOR THE SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE PUMPING GAS. THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, DRAGGED OWNER BY THE…
POWER TRAIN07/22/2025
Driving in the left lane of an interstate highway at 75mph, in moderate traffic, in daylight hours, clear weather, with my young son. Sudden, unexpected decrease in engine rpm resulted in unannounced, approximate 40 mph reduction in speed. The instrument cluster illuminated stating “ service transmission continue in D.…
Three of 45 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 …
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 10, 2016, to April 28, 2016 and equipped w…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured December 9, 2015, to January 14, 2016. In the…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2016 Dodge Durango
Ask the seller whether the transmission has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many transmission faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the transmission.
3 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A transmission already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle.
