The 2016 Durango on the WK2 platform is a capable three-row SUV undermined by serious powertrain reliability concerns, particularly the ZF 8-speed transmission and catastrophic engine failures on the 3.6L Pentastar. The 5.7L Hemi is more robust but suffers its own valvetrain issues.
ZF 8-Speed Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant reservoir or milky transmission fluid, Transmission slipping, harsh shifts, or delayed engagement, Check engine light with transmission-related codes, Overheating transmission, limp mode
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler, flush both cooling system and transmission completely (critical to prevent trans damage), replace contaminated fluid. If caught late, full transmission rebuild required. 4-6 hours labor for cooler only, 15-20 hours if trans is damaged.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler replacement; $3,500-5,500 if transmission rebuild needed
Symptoms: Sudden loud knocking or ticking from engine bay, Metal shavings in oil, rapid oil consumption, Loss of power, misfires on multiple cylinders, Complete engine seizure in worst cases
Fix: Pentastar engines in this era suffer from piston ring land failures, spun bearings, and connecting rod issues. Once symptoms appear, requires short block or complete engine replacement. 18-24 hours labor for engine R&R.
Estimated cost: $5,000-8,500 for remanufactured engine installed; $7,000-10,000+ for dealer long block
5.7L Hemi Multi-Displacement System (MDS) Lifter and Cam Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Persistent ticking or tapping noise from valve covers, especially at idle, Check engine light with misfire codes on cylinders 1, 4, 6, or 7, Rough idle, loss of power under load, Metal debris in oil filter
Fix: MDS lifters stick or collapse, wiping out camshaft lobes. Requires both camshafts, all 16 lifters, pushrods inspection, and often cylinder head work if valves kissed pistons. 12-16 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Front Brake Caliper Seizing
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Vehicle pulls to one side during braking, Burning smell from front wheels after driving, One front wheel excessively hot to touch, Premature brake pad wear on one side, rotor discoloration
Fix: Front caliper slide pins corrode and seize, or caliper pistons stick. Replace affected caliper(s), flush brake fluid, resurface or replace rotor. Recall 18V-355 addressed some units but issue persists. 1.5-2.5 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $350-600 per side
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking sound when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration through floorboard during acceleration, Excessive engine/trans movement visible when revving in Park
Fix: Rear transmission mount rubber deteriorates, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Replace mount, inspect other mounts while accessible. 1-1.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Fuel System Vapor Leak (Recall-Related)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Strong fuel odor in cabin or near fuel tank, Check engine light with EVAP system codes (P0442, P0456), Fuel smell more pronounced after filling tank
Fix: Fuel vapor lines and EVAP system components crack or disconnect. Recall 18V-026 covered fuel fill tube replacements. Requires diagnosis of EVAP system, smoke test, replacement of lines or fuel filler neck. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-700 depending on components
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Intermittent electrical gremlins: windows, locks, wipers, fuel pump cutting out, No-start condition with clicking relays, Warning lights illuminating randomly, Fuel pump relay failure most common symptom
Fix: TIPM (fuse/relay box) develops internal failures, particularly fuel pump relay circuits. Chrysler has extended warranty on some, otherwise requires TIPM replacement and programming. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400 for TIPM replacement
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claim — prevents cooler and valve body issues
Use quality full-synthetic oil and change every 5,000 miles on Pentastar to fight piston ring deposits
For Hemi V8, disable MDS with tuner or run premium fuel to reduce lifter wear if not towing regularly
Inspect and lubricate brake caliper slide pins annually, especially in salt-belt states
Check transmission fluid color regularly — any pink tint in coolant means immediate cooler replacement needed
Buy the 5.7L Hemi version only, avoid the 3.6L Pentastar, budget $2,000-3,000 for deferred maintenance, and expect a transmission cooler replacement in your future — otherwise you're gambling on an expensive engine rebuild.
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: AGM battery required for 5.7L Hemi models with start-stop technology; located in engine compartment
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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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 16V814000
2016-11-10
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 with a 3.6L engine built at the Saltillo engine plant. During the assembly of the engine, the fuel rail crossover tube may have been damaged, which, over time, may result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly for damage to the fuel rail crossover tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S85.
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.
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 2016 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 Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.