I have a 2011 AWD Durango Crew with v6 The other day i got into some mud and my rear tires wouldn't spin. Not locked up just no power. I have no funny noises or anything i runs fine.

 

was traction control on? this sounds like classic traction control kicking in as soon as it detects wheel spin, pulls all power and leaves you with no ability to do anything.

 

I turned traction control off and they wouldn't spin the front spun not the back

 

AWD is going to spin the axle with the least amount of traction at a given time, not all 4 at once keep in mind (in fact for the most part it will still spin one tire if on ice or off the ground) the electronics are supposed to use the brakes to prevent this and keep you moving but i have no experience with them to say how well they do at this.

 

On many vehicles, even turning the traction control off does not mean it is truly off. Many just dial back the amount it assists, plus if there is a stability control program it will also try to prevent the rear wheels from spinning freely.

 

In other words, AWD, is not really AWD. It puts power to the wheels with the least amount of traction and applies the brakes and/or throttle control to reduce the spinning of the wheel with the least traction.

 

Ok i was out last messing around trying to get awd to kick in and it worked fine. So i guess the conditions where just right or wrong to not let the rear tires spin the first time. Thanks for the replies guys. Are the front tires the normal drive tires when awd is not engaged? Thanks again guys

 

I recommend, if you don't have it, you download the 2011 Dodge Durango Owner's Guide from the internet, and starting on page 350 it explains the operation of the AWD system. The drivetrain is rear wheel bias and AWD (front wheels) is engaged when slippage is detected. Based on the manual, the 3.6L engine equipped Durango has a Hi-range only transfer case; the 5.7L has a switch on the center console where one can select AWD Low-range, which locks the front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.