I have a 2011 Durango, with the Hemi V-8 and the 5-speed automatic transmission with AWD. When we first bought the vehicle last summer, the drivetrain was very smooth. However, within the first couple of months of ownership, it seemed to develop an ever-increasing amount of unevenness. I talked to my local dealer's service department, and they said that they flashed the PCM. It seemed like it might have been better.

Over the next couple of months, it deteriorated again, and this time it got even worse. The dealer said that they flashed the PCM again, but said they could find no record of the PCM having been flashed the first time in the computer. (?)

The vehicle seemed to smooth out a bit again, and then over the next few months, it once more deteriorated in smoothness. The team have looked over it, can find no codes tripping, can find nothing that would alert them to a problem, and have no idea what to make of it. They do see the 2nd PCM flash still on the computer, but they can't make heads or tails of it.

Now, let me describe the problem: as you drive along under light throttle conditions, the vehicle seems to 'shudder' or 'stutter'. It has nothing to do with tires being out of balance or anything of that sort. It is definitely in the drivetrain. My rpm's are also fluctuating up and down at steady speed (probably 100 rpm's up and down, for a total variance of 200 rpm, perhaps). It is obvious enough that when it happens, passengers all throughout the vehicle can feel it and are concerned enough to ask 'what is wrong', which is more than a little embarrassing.

Occasionally, whether driving with the cruise control on or off, there will suddenly come an even worse shudder, which actually feels like a "bang," and feels like you might have hit a pothole or run over something in the road, but you didn't.

Someone from the dealer asked me: "Does it feel like when you're driving a standard-shift vehicle, and you should be shifting to prevent a stall, but don't?" That's exactly what it feels like.

I may be able to supply further specifics if they're required. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Best wishes,
Kent

 

Something needs some duct tape but I have no idea what. I wonder if your AWD is kicking on and off while you are driving. Thats the only thing I can think of but I dont know how the Dodge AWD system works. Just figured I put that out there as an idea.

 

I would have them look at the AWD system and the MDS system. I can easily see how a bad wheel speed sensor could confuse the system into engaging and disengaging the front drive.

 

I rented a crew a few months ago to take to tennesse, it was AWD with the five speed, and it did the same thing, What its doing is not down shifting fast enough or early enough, When I bought my R/T I made sure to get the 6 speed to help with that issue. I'm Willing to bet if you ask A trans shop they will tell you the same thing, Thats why there coming out with the 8 speed to help with issues like this, more gears for the computer to choose from, I hope this helps.

 

They won't be releasing the 8 speed for a few years on the HEMI. And that is very little the reason they're moving to the 8 speed, more for the fact of higher MPG standards and government policy.

 

The AWD engaging or disengaging at any speed in a straight line will be completely uneventful as long as all wheels are spinning the same speed. This sounds like an electronic issue from either the torque management system (which is a little too over-zealous IMO) or load management which uses a host of sensor inputs like throttle position, MAP, speed, RPM….to choose gears. A faulty sensor that hasn’t failed completely can give the system erroneous inputs in certain ranges without always tripping a code. Running the vehicle on a dyno through various speeds and loads while monitoring the sensor data would be the best way to diagnose what is happening. But, the dealer will likely just throw parts at it ‘till it goes away. This is also an adaptive system that is supposed to learn your driving style and adjust shift points and such which is probably why the symptoms go away with each reflash. Lol, so maybe your particular driving style just confuses the hell out of the computer, JK

 

Ask the dealer to check the torque converter. I know the 1500 trucks are having shudder issues when the torque converter is locking and unlocking at around 1200-1500 rpm and light loads. Most people describe the problem as a shudder or vibration that can be felt in the gas pedal ar feels like a moaning noise. I believe there is a TSB for the trucks on this issue.

 

Definately bring it in and document the issue, if its related in anyway to the transmission, torque convertor or anything in the drivetrain.

 

Im looking at getting my first D AWD. In my 2008 Liberty, I paid up to get what Jeep called the Selectrac II, where you can switch between 2wd, 4wd auto or 4wd low. We run almost always in 2wd for the mileage savings.

Does the durango AWD auto switch between 2wd on dry pavement and 4wd when it senses slippage?

 

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one experiencing the issue. There are occasions when I definitely hear that moaning noise referred to previously in this thread. This seems to occur most often under very light acceleration from 35-40 up to 55, when you're really babying it for a load of relaxed passengers.

A couple of things I hadn't mentioned yet. When you decelerate to a full stop for a stop sign, if you come to that complete stop, but don't wait long and push the gas pedal again, the whole vehicle will "shudder." It feels like the tranny isn't downshifting to 1st gear fast enough. Fluid levels are good, though, and the fluid looks and smells fine.This definitely sounds like the case to me. It seems like it isn't a real physical issue in the vehicle, but more like something that isn't being controlled properly.This also sounds just about like what I'm dealing with. I've also got an '08 300C with the Hemi and 5-speed transmission, so I'm familiar with what that engine/transmission drivetrain should do; I've always found the C to be very smooth ... a little shudder from the torque converter when it's locked up, but not too bad. The Durango, however, feels like it's literally going to fall apart on you when it does its thing.That is my understanding, yes. There is also a control **** between "Auto" and "AWD Low". I leave it in "Auto." When she is not having a bad day, I get an easy 22-25 mpg at 68-69mph. Interestingly, it seems like the more she shudders, the worse the mileage gets.

I might also mention: one time, my Durango was acting really "shuddery" (yes, it seems to have good days and bad days); when I went to start it, it turned over and over, but didn't catch and start up. One or two more attempts at starting produced the same effect. I thought I was going to have to call a tow-truck. One more try, though, and voila!, she started right up and has never done it since. No codes, no nothing. But I thought it was possible that it was connected, and that I should mention it.

A friend of mine who does body work on cars, and who works on his own cars, drove it the other day. He was stunned by several things: the "groan", the RPM unsteadiness, and the shuddering and stuttering when the vehicle really should have downshifted but didn't. He said that in many transmissions, there is a fluid that goes one way or another, and signals a shift, but that the electronic controls might not be reading it correctly, and then things go wrong. I can't remember the tech-terms he used, so I don't know if this is a lead, either.

BTW, I always use 89 for fuel, rather than 87, which is something my local dealer's service department asked me. I suspect they're just looking for excuses to get me to go away, though. Sometimes they seem really good, and other times they don't seem interested in helping me out at all. Their staff turns over regularly, as well. I'm considering heading off to a different dealer's service department.

Whatever this problem is, it's sneaky.