2012 Dodge Durango RT with 67000 kms

I have had the following intermittent issues since the vehicle was new. Allegedly I'm up to date on my PCM/Flash Updates and none have been done for at least a year and a half. I have noted the stutter/clunk/jerk which I believe there has been a TSB out for sometime. Unfortunately since the vehicle is up to date and since the dealership can't get it to duplicate they will not look into the issue further.


Where I live there are only a few large hills so I only notice the issue every once in a while. On a recent road trip through the mountains the issue reared its ugly head and was very annoying to say the least. These are the issues I noted and believe them to be related.


Occasionally on a flat road I will get an unexpected clunk/jerk or I will also feel what seems like I just hit rumble strips. The sensation is quick lasting, no more than 2 seconds, and is to the point it is just noticeable.


Switching to an incline the matter is very noticeable and occurs under the following conditions. After I enter an incline and apply gas pedal pressure to maintain my speed the vehicle will downshift seamlessly. If the vehicle stays in the lower gear there is no issue. However when the vehicle returns to the wanted speed during a lowered slope or the surface levels out the vehicle will then up shift and shortly after you will feel a very noticeable jerk and clunk. Sometimes it will do it twice in quick succession then the vehicle will be fine until the next up or down slope.


On a decline the vehicle will either maintain or upshift and several seconds into the slope the vehicle will again jerk/clunk/shutter. Again it will do it once or twice then be fine for the rest of the decline.


I've watched the Eco light and it does it whether or not MDS is active or not.


The issue does not occur above 120kph and seems to be at its worst from 80 to 120kph.


I also have a secondary issue which I believe is related and only occurs when the vehicle has been driven for a period of more than 10 minutes(Operating temperature). This issue is especially noticeable coming off the highway or when the temperature out side is 10 degrees Celsius or higher. I do not notice this issue in the winter. It happens after coming to a stop(for lights, traffic signs or traffic) then proceed. The Durango will occasionally clunk at or near two specific speed ranges. It will only do it at one speed and not both. The speed ranges will change between 7-11 kph or 19-21 kph. The symptom is similar to the above issues which is why I think it is likely related.


My question is if anyone else has had these issues and if you did were they resolved. If they were resolved what was the solution as the PCM updates up to this point have not helped. Finally if it was a PCM update when was it released as I might not be going the full story from my dealership.

 

I have had a similar issue with a bigger truck. This was on a HINO. every time the truck would reach 75 kph through to 80 kph it would shake and fairly violently sometimes.
This particular problem ended up being the tires. they somehow wore funny and caused this shaking at the same kph every single time.

Another problem with that same vehicle was a the transmission would clunk from time to time. usually downshifting.
the thing that fixed that problem was undoing the battery and clearing the memory. never did that again after that. maybe try that you never know!

hope this helps!

 

I had something similar with my Explorer - an occasional slight surging and rumble strip sensation. Was diagnosed as a problem with the torque convertor.