Unfortunately this is not a new issue for Dodge vehicles with the 5.7. I have a 2009 Dodge Charger R/T(5 speed) and a 2012 Dodge Durango R/T(6 speed) and both have the same issue. My Charger is more pronounced than the Durango. I didn't notice it on the Durango for the first 10000 km, but its there now. I took my Charger in numerous times only to be told its a "characteristic" of the 5.7 Hemi. I tried calling bull****, at which point, I was allowed to take a 2010 Challenger R/T for a lengthy test drive. Sure enough this vehicle had the same issue. Pulling the battery does reset the adaptives and the issue is fixed for a week or so. It seems that the more this motor breaks in the more noticeable the issue becomes. When I test drove the Durango the issue wasn't there. I thought they must have worked the kinks out but I guess I was wrong as the issue is still around. In my opinion its due to the MDS and the adaptives as I don't notice it when I drive in the manual mode.

 

Actually, I can't agree completely with the statement your technician made about this being a 'characteristic' of the 5.7 liter Hemi. In my experience, some techs make rather blanket statements when they can't figure something out.

This new Durango is actually our fifth 5.7 Hemi engine; we buy new cars regularly for business. We had an '05 300C (which went through a second engine due to a terrible incident with a large rock smashing the oil pan on the factory engine), an '08 300C, the '11 Durango, a '12 300C, and the new '13 Durango. We've also owned a number of other Chrysler vehicles in the last ten years, including an '08 Pacifica with the 4.0 liter V-6, an '04 300M with the 3.5l, a '99 300M with the 3.5l, an '01 Sebring with the 2.7l, and before those, a '93 Intrepid with the 3.5l which we put a quarter-million miles on.

Of all of these vehicles, the '04 M and the '08 Pacifia were our only 'chuggers' prior to the Durango. Neither had the Hemi. All of the other Hemi's - whether paired with the 5-speed or the 6-speed transmission - were smooth as silk, and their MDS was flawless.

Certainly, the MDS system on the Hemi would not explain the banging and odd shifting that I was experiencing with the '11 Durango, and which has been reported by others.

Based on our experience with the '04 M, the '08 Pacifica, and the '11 Durango, I believe that the real problem lies in the torque converter / adaptives / transmission. In the case of the '04 M, the baro sensor was faulty, throwing all of the adaptives out of whack, but not tripping a code. It took months and a lot of frustration before we found a competent mechanic who actually understood these systems and diagnosed the issue. As soon as he did: poof, shuddering gone.

In the '11 Durango and the '08 Pacifica, there was also a speed-brake of some sort on the engine. When you were going downhill and let your foot off the gas, you could feel something kick in in the drivetrain to help prevent the vehicle from coasting up in speed. When you pushed down on the accelerator again at the bottom of the hill to maintain speed, there was a strange 'banging' or 'thump' as the speed-brake disengaged. In the Durango, it was not necessarily at the point when the MDS system re-engaged or disengaged; and of course, the Pacifica never had a Hemi. So it had to be something else.

I would find a technician that knew what he was actually talking about, and unfortunately they are not always easy to find. I hope this helps.

 

Good news guys, two new tsb's just hit the street and they cover these exact problems (and same as I have had) looks like they have figured out the fix for the star case. I will post the tsb's when I get back to a computer or maybe dodgecares will jump in. I also need to find the other thread about this and post the same. Lets hope it works!
http://www.wk2jeeps.com/tsb/tsb_wk2_2100313.pdf
http://www.wk2jeeps.com/tsb/tsb_wk2_2100413.pdf

 

NUMBER: 21-003-13
GROUP: Transmission and
Transfer Case
DATE: April 27, 2013

SUBJECT:
Flash: Drivetrain Control Module (DCTM) - Transfer Case Operational Enhancements
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves flashing the Drivetrain Control Module (DCTM)
MODELS:
2011 - 2013 WD Durango
2011 - 2013 WK Grand Cherokee
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with the QUADRA-TRAC II 4WD
System or Two Speed On Demand Transfer Case (Sales Code DKA) and the
following:
• 230MM Rear Axle (Sales Code DR1) and Electronic Limited Slip
Differential (Sales Code DSF)
• 230MM Rear Axle (Sales Code DR1) without Electronic Limited Slip
Differential built after May 1, 2011 (MDH 0501XX).
• 195MM Rear Axle (Sales Code DPM) (all 3.6L engine equipped (Sales
Code ERB) built after May 1, 2011 (MDH 0501XX).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Owners may indicate that they have experienced one or more of the following symptoms:
1. A driveline bump is felt during acceleration at approximately 10 mph (16 kph).
2. The SERV 4WD message appears and the vehicle shifts from 4WD to 2WD.
3. Binding of the front driveline while turning on steep grades at speeds around 3 - 5 mph
(5 - 8 kph).
DIAGNOSIS:
If the customer describes any of the symptoms above, perform the Repair Procedure.

 

2012 R/T AWD owner here.

Been experiencing a hesitation/bump/slip when accelerating from a stop. It was bugging the crap out of me, so I mentioned it to the delearship in March. They reflashed all the related modules, but there was no new version. Immediately off the lot, I felt the acceleration issue return. After reading this forum post, I mentioned TSB 21-003-13 while dropping my ride off at the dealership for an oil change. I've gotten some static previously when referring to TSBs, but this guy was cool. They hooked it up, saw that my vehicle met the requirements, flashed... I've not experienced the acceleration bump in the last two days. I also notice a different feel when crossing over the 50 MPH threshold. I never really paid much attention to the shudder at 50 MPH, but I do notice it's gone now. Will report back in a week or so, to rule out any placebo possibilities.

To everyone sticking this one out... thanks.

To those with a 2011 Durango having these issues... wow, it's a long time coming.

 

Yes, please give us an update later to see if the flash has a lasting effect.

 

My 2011 Citadel is not an AWD. Hopefully the fix will be coming soon, but I can't get any answers from Dodge.

 

It's hard to believe that this "fish bite" problem is still around and that there has been no fix that completely solves the problem. I had my D in the garage last Friday for oil change and new plugs and while it was there I asked them to look into several TSBs that have been reported to help the problem for some people. Specifically, I pointed out 21-06-13. When I picked the D up, they told me that they did apply TSB 21-03-13. Well I must admit it does seem somewhat better but the problem is still there. I noticed that the ECO light now won't come on until the engine has warmed up some and you don't feel the hesitation until the ECO light is on and you are under a light acceleration. I have also noticed that if I take the D out of Drive and manually select 5 or 6, I never feel the hesitation. That leads me to believe that the problem lies in the MDS turning on or off. Am I off base here????