We purchased our 07 durango in 2009 with only just over 9,000 miles on it and in just the past months Ive noticed that randomly and not very often when coasting seems to 'clunk' into first gear. Its pretty rough and you can feel it. I checked the fluid levels the first time I felt it and they were all fine. I have been checking the levels often and they dont seem to be going down at all. I am not a expert at all when it comes to car repairs so I am pretty stumped when it comes to complex issues like this.

Has anyone else had this issue or know what might be causing this?

Thank you!

2007 Dodge Durango 4x4 V8

 

It could be the transmission was not changed with the correct ATF fluid. Put ATF +4 in the transmission an see if it improvees the shift,
FF

 

Welcome to DF
There could be two problems, but they are really a problem and will not cause any damage. 1st one is the sprocket the park rod goes thru is always a little loose and can cause the cluck sound and the other is replacing the manual shift valve on the valve body. Your transmission is a 545RFE and you would need to replace the valve from a 68RFE. Or you can try a transmission service and see if that helps.

 

Hi,

I have an 07 Durango that had this exact same problem - A harsh thump during downshift while approaching a stop. It was BAD! Shook the truck...

I found a white paper from dodge (http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2007/21-019-07.htm) that describes the problem to a 'T'. It's directed at the 68RFE transmission, and I have the 545RFE transmission, but it seemed to coincidental that this paper described to problem so exactly.

I took the truck to a dealership - explained that I wanted the PCM flashed, if one was available. They found an available update and applied it.

It eliminated the thump completely. Took 20 min and 114 bucks.

Hope this helps!

 

How do I drain the current transmission fluid that is in the vehicle?

I will look into this if the fluid change doesnt make a difference.

Thank you everyone for the fast answers! Hopefully I will be able to come back saying the problem is fixed!

 

i have a 2007 durango 3.7 v6 it has 72000 on it and i am having the same problem. the part that says "may also experience harsh upshifts." i took it to autozone and got a p0731 and a p0716. i changed my input sensor "dealer item", only to still have it doing the same thing. now i will admit i haven't done normal transmission service as of this moment so i cant rule that out as of yet. its good on fluid and is still red thats all i know as of now. i have no leaks at all and it's been babied, my problems started when i hit a large water puddle during one of are great florida storms. i will update to this post after i get it fixed. anybody else has had an issue please inform....

 

Its possible that the wiring to the sensor has been compromised by corrosion. Test conductance between the sensor and computer.

Just a thought...

 

Wab,

Here is a TSB that may apply to your vehicle if you have the 5.7

NUMBER: 18-006-10 REV. C
GROUP: Vehicle Performance
DATE: October 08, 2010

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) with new software.
MODELS:
2007 - 2008 (DR) Ram Truck
2007 - 2008 (HB) Durango
2007 - 2008 (HG) Aspen
**2008 (LX) 300 / Magnum / Charger**
**2008 (LE) 300C/300 Touring (International Markets)**
2007 -2008 (WH) Grand Cherokee (International Markets)
2007 - 2008 (WK) Grand Cherokee
2007 - 2008 (XH) Commander (International Markets)
2007 - 2008 (XK) Commander
NOTE: This bulletin applies to models equipped with a 5.7L engine (Sales code
EZB).
NUMBER: 18-006-10 REV. C
GROUP: Vehicle Performance
DATE: October 08, 2010
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customers may experience that the vehicle has a harsh engagement or has a
buck/jerking feeling at low speeds of around 12 mph (19 kmh) to 15 mph (24 kmh). The
customer may also experience a harsh engagement or buck/jerking feeling during highway
cruise control operation from 65 mph (105 kmh) to 75 mph (121 kmh). These conditions
are caused by excessive MDS transitions.
The MDS low speed engagement point has been changed to 21 mph (34 kmh). In addition
to the MDS low speed engagement change, enhancements from V8 to V4 and V4 to V8 in
all ambient temperatures and operating ranges have been made to make all the transition
less noticeable to the customer.

 

After taking my vehicle to have it evaluated it was determined it was the pcm... it's located passenger side front fender well. That little booger was the reason for all my transmission shifting problems. thank you all for your help who posted. Obviously this is going to be continued issue The others will come acrossed. Hopefully dodge will man up and issue a recall so it doesn't come out of our pocket

 

$973.00 out of pocket expense so far. change transmission fluid n filter " atf 4" and new ecm for transmission. it's finally out of limp mode... but I'm still having a harsh first shift. Rpm's go up and slams into 1st gear. so my problem is still not fixed....only have 75,000 miles and it seems nobody can figure out what is the the problem... all electrical harnesses double check.