The 2014 Durango is a capable three-row SUV built on the Mercedes-derived WK2 platform, sharing DNA with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Major issues center on the ZF 8-speed transmission and catastrophic engine failures in V6 models, while the 5.7L Hemi proves more durable but thirsty.
3.6L Pentastar Cylinder Head Failure and Left-Bank Engine Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Misfires on cylinders 1, 3, or 5, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, White smoke from exhaust, Metal debris in oil, Catastrophic knock and loss of power
Fix: Early failures show cracked cylinder heads between exhaust valves (left bank), requiring both heads replaced due to overheating risk. Severe cases involve dropped valve seats destroying pistons, requiring short block or complete engine replacement. Figure 18-25 hours labor for heads, 30-40 hours for short block.
Estimated cost: $4,500-9,500
ZF 8HP70 Transmission Oil Cooler and Internal Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh shifting or delayed engagement, Transmission slipping in 2nd-3rd gear, Burnt fluid smell, Coolant in transmission fluid (strawberry milkshake), Limp mode or no forward gears
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, allowing coolant contamination into transmission. If caught early, cooler replacement and multiple fluid flushes may save it (8-10 hours). Once contaminated, transmission rebuild or replacement required, plus radiator. External cooler bypass strongly recommended. 15-20 hours for R&R and rebuild.
Fix: Factory alternators fail with internal diode shorts, sending voltage spikes that can damage ECM, PCM, or body control modules. Always check for downstream electrical damage before clearing codes. Alternator replacement is 1.5-2 hours, but ECM replacement adds 2-3 hours plus programming.
Estimated cost: $450-2,200
Front Driveshaft U-Joint and Center Bearing Failure (AWD)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration at highway speeds, Squeaking from undercarriage, Visible rust or play at driveshaft joints
Fix: Front driveshaft uses a non-serviceable center bearing and Cardan joint that wear prematurely. Many techs replace the entire driveshaft assembly rather than attempting U-joint service due to crimped bearing caps. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
EVAP Purge Valve and Leak Detection Pump Faults
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0455 or P0456 codes, Rough idle when cold, Fuel smell near driver's side rear wheel, Failed emissions testing
Fix: EVAP system uses a leak detection pump (LDP) prone to diaphragm failure and purge valves that stick open. LDP sits above fuel tank, accessed from rear passenger wheelwell. Purge valve is engine bay, 0.5 hours. LDP replacement requires partial tank drop, 2.5-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $250-850
Rear Differential Pinion Seal Leak
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil puddle under rear of vehicle, Low differential fluid level, Whining noise from rear axle under load
Fix: Pinion seal leaks due to worn surface on pinion shaft or seal failure. Requires driveshaft removal and pinion nut torque verification. If pinion bearing preload is lost, full differential teardown needed. Seal only: 2 hours. With bearing service: 4-5 hours.
Estimated cost: $350-1,100
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Lightning Strike Damage
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: Red lightning bolt warning light, Limp mode with severely reduced power, Pedal non-responsive, Multiple electronic fault codes
Fix: Throttle body and pedal position sensor share electronic architecture vulnerable to electrical surges. Can be triggered by alternator failure, jump-starting, or actual lightning. Requires throttle body replacement (1.5 hours) and possibly accelerator pedal assembly (1 hour). Must clear adaptive tables after repair.
Estimated cost: $600-1,400
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 60k miles religiously—ZF 8-speed does NOT have lifetime fluid despite marketing claims
Install auxiliary transmission cooler and bypass internal radiator cooler to prevent cross-contamination
For 3.6L engines, monitor coolant level obsessively and address any unexplained loss immediately—waiting leads to total engine loss
Check alternator output voltage regularly after 80k miles; spikes above 15.5V indicate imminent failure
Use Mopar-spec MS-9602 transmission fluid only—aftermarket 'equivalents' cause shift issues in the ZF
Inspect front driveshaft center bearing for play during oil changes on AWD models
Buy a low-mileage 5.7L Hemi model with service records proving regular transmission maintenance, or walk away—the 3.6L is a grenade and transmission failures are expensive enough to total these.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T75.
SERVICE BRAKES · 17V572000
2017-09-18
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles had brake booster shields installed under a previous campaign to prevent water from entering the brake booster and limiting braking ability. This recall is to verify that the brake booster shield installation was performed properly.
Consequence: If the brake booster shield was not installed properly, the vehicle's braking ability may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster shield, correcting the installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November10, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T59.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. · 15V461000
2015-07-23
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
Consequence: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.
SEAT BELTS · 14V643000
2014-10-14
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured June 2, 2013, to June 28, 2014, and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 30, 2012, to April 30, 2014. Due to a fault within the Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module, the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags may be disabled. The malfunction indicator light MIL should illuminate to initially warn drivers of a failure.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates use of the passive restraint system.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P67.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · 14V636000
2014-10-08
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2013, to April 11, 2014. Due to an issue with the software for the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM), the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may be disabled.
Consequence: If the ESC is disabled during certain driving situations, the driver may not be able to adequately control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the SCCM software, free of charge. The recall began on November 24, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P64.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 14V391000
2014-07-02 · EA14001
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
Consequence: If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014 to April 8, 2014, Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014 to April 8, 2014, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT vehicles manufactured February 3, 2014 to April 8, 2014, and Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 6, 2014 to April 17, 2014. When the adaptive cruise control is engaged and the driver presses the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle's speed more than the cruise control system would on its own, the vehicle may continue to accelerate briefly after the accelerator pedal is released.
Consequence: The unintended continued acceleration may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the Driver Assistance System Module (DASM), free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P31.
SERVICE BRAKES · 14V154000
2014-04-01
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013. The subject vehicles have a brake booster with a center shell that may corrode and allow water to get inside.
Consequence: The water inside could freeze and limit the braking ability of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a water diverter shield to the booster after the booster has been tested to confirm it can hold an acceptable amount of vacuum pressure. If the booster inspection confirms an unacceptable loss of vacuum pressure, the booster will be replaced. Repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is P14.
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