The 2015 Durango on the WK2 platform is generally solid for a 3-row SUV, but the ZF 8-speed transmission and 3.6L Pentastar engine have distinct weak points that show up in higher-mileage examples. Hemi V8 models are more robust mechanically but suffer fuel system and exhaust issues.
ZF 8-Speed Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or shuddering, Check Engine Light with transmission codes, pink or milky transmission fluid indicating coolant cross-contamination, overheating transmission
Fix: Internal oil cooler in the radiator fails and allows coolant into transmission fluid, destroying clutch packs. Requires new radiator, complete transmission flush or rebuild if contamination went unnoticed, and often new torque converter. If caught early (just cooler), 4-6 hours labor. If trans is damaged, add 12-16 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-$5,500
3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant loss with no external leaks, white smoke from exhaust on cold start, misfires on cylinders 1, 3, or 5, milky oil on dipstick in severe cases
Fix: Left cylinder head develops cracks between coolant passages and cylinders, often between 1-3. Requires left head replacement, new head bolts, timing chain service while apart, and full cooling system flush. 14-18 hours labor for proper job.
Estimated cost: $3,500-$5,000
Rear Differential Pinion Seal and Bearing Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: gear oil dripping from rear driveshaft area, whining or howling noise from rear end that increases with speed, clunking on acceleration in AWD models
Fix: Pinion seal leaks first, then if ignored the pinion bearing goes. Just seal is 2-3 hours, but most need bearing/crush sleeve at this point which is 5-7 hours with setup and pattern check. Requires diff fluid and often new yoke.
Estimated cost: $600-$1,800
Uconnect Screen Failure and Electrical Gremlins
Common · low severity
Symptoms: touchscreen unresponsive or frozen, backup camera black screen or distorted, random system reboots while driving, HVAC controls locked out
Fix: Radio unit fails internally, often heat-related. Dodge issued TSB for software updates but most need module replacement. 1.5-2 hours for R&R, requires VIN programming. NHTSA recall 15V-355 covers some units but many fall outside coverage.
Estimated cost: $800-$1,500
5.7L Hemi Exhaust Manifold Bolt Breakage
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: ticking or tapping noise from engine bay that worsens when cold, exhaust smell in cabin, visible soot streaks on manifold, Check Engine Light with O2 sensor codes
Fix: Manifold bolts break due to thermal cycling, causing exhaust leaks. All 16 bolts typically need extraction and replacement with updated hardware. Left side 6-8 hours (steering shaft removal), right side 4-6 hours. Often do both sides preventively.
Estimated cost: $1,200-$2,500
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, vibration at idle in gear, excessive driveline movement over bumps
Fix: Rubber transmission mount deteriorates and separates. Simple replacement, 1-1.5 hours labor. Often paired with replacing other worn drivetrain mounts during same visit.
Estimated cost: $250-$450
Brake Caliper Slide Pin Seizure (Rear)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: rear brake pads wearing unevenly, pulsation or grinding from rear when braking, parking brake ineffective or stuck on, burnt smell after highway driving
Fix: Rear caliper slide pins corrode and seize, especially in salt states. Related to NHTSA recall 17V-059 but many units still fail. Requires caliper replacement or complete slide pin service with new hardware. 2-3 hours for both rears with proper service.
Estimated cost: $400-$800
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 60k miles with Mopar ZF-specific ATF — the 'lifetime fill' claim kills these transmissions
Inspect transmission cooler lines and radiator for pink fluid cross-contamination at every oil change
On 3.6L engines, watch coolant level religiously — a slow drop with no external leak means head problems starting
Replace differential fluid at 50k with friction modifier additive for AWD models to prevent premature bearing wear
For Hemi models, inspect exhaust manifold bolts proactively around 50k — catch broken bolts before they ruin the head
Buy the V8 if you need towing capacity and budget for exhaust work, or stick with the 3.6L and plan for transmission cooler maintenance — avoid high-mileage examples without complete service records showing trans fluid changes.
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.
Fitment notes: Standard top post battery located in engine bay
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Every control module on the 2014-2017 Dodge Durango — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Behind center of instrument panel, above center console
🔧 wiTECH
⚠️ Security gateway enforcing authentication for all module programming. Dealer-only replacement. All modules must be reconfigured after CGW replacement.
Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Module (HVAC)1.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind center stack, integrated with climate control head unit
🔧 Scan tool actuator test
⚠️ Actuator calibration required after installation.
Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM)1.2 hr R&Rno coding2016-2017 models
📍 Under vehicle, mounted to fuel tank
⚠️ Fuel tank lowering required for access.
Forward Collision Warning/Adaptive Cruise Control Module (FCW/ACC)1.0 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.8 hrwith adaptive cruise control or forward collision warning▸ programming details
📍 Behind front grille, center mounted
🔧 wiTECH
⚠️ Radar alignment and calibration required after replacement. Front bumper removal required.
⚠️ Suspension calibration and ride height sensor relearn required.
Transfer Case Control Module (TCCM)0.8 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.2 hr4WD/AWD models▸ programming details
📍 Mounted to transfer case on driver side
🔧 Autel/Launch
⚠️ Shift motor calibration required.
Power Liftgate Module (PLM)0.7 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.3 hrwith power liftgate▸ programming details
📍 Behind left rear quarter trim panel near liftgate hinge
🔧 Autel/Launch
⚠️ Liftgate position calibration required.
Park Assist Module (PAM)0.7 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.2 hrwith ParkSense rear park assist▸ programming details
📍 Behind rear bumper fascia, center mounted
🔧 Autel/Launch
⚠️ Sensor calibration required after replacement.
Trailer Tow Module (TTM)0.6 hr R&Rno codingwith factory trailer tow package
📍 Behind left rear quarter trim panel near hitch connector
Headlamp Control Module (HCM)0.6 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.2 hrwith HID or adaptive headlamps▸ programming details
📍 Behind left headlamp assembly
🔧 Autel/Launch
⚠️ Headlamp leveling calibration required.
Seat Control Module (SCM)0.5 hr R&Rno codingwith power/heated/ventilated seats
📍 Under driver seat, mounted to seat frame
Rear View Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hrwith rear backup camera▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with liftgate handle assembly
🔧 Scan tool calibration
⚠️ Camera alignment calibration recommended.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · 16V168000
2016-03-23
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 affected vehicles, the left front brake caliper may crack due to being made from an incorrect material.
Consequence: A cracked brake caliper may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front left brake caliper and depending on its casting date, replace it, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 12, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S16.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 15V469000
2015-07-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured June 12, 2015, to June 20, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with rear lower control arms that may have been incorrectly heat treated. This may cause the rear lower control arm to fracture.
Consequence: If the rear lower control arm fractures it may result in a change in ride height, loss of rear end stability, and reduced braking capabilities, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began July 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R38. Note: This supersedes Recall No. 15V-407.
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.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2015 Dodge Durango 5.7L V8 Hemi and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.