CarComplaints.com Notes: The third generation Durango is plagued by a defective TIPM, particularily in the 2011 and 2012 model years.
TIPM, which stands for Totally Integrated Power Modules, is responsible for controlling and distributing power to all the vehicle’s electrical functions. So when your TIPM goes haywire, bad things start happening. Things like your water pump can stop working, your engine can stall out and your airbags can randomly deploy.
Although I am only reporting the incident that occurred on 3/7/2015 (because I only recently discovered this website), this has been a recurring problem. I purchased my 2011 Durango in November of 2012 and it only had about 24,000 miles on it. A couple of months after I purchased the vehicle, the RPMs went crazy with the engine revving, but there was no power and the vehicle stalled. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and then back in drive to get the transmission to change gears. With the most recent incident on 3/7/2015, the RPMs were going crazy and it sounded like I was gunning the vehicle, but it was hardly moving. I had to stop, put the vehicle in neutral and then back in drive. After that, the vehicle drove fine. I do not even have 52,000 miles on my Durango, and there is no excuse for transmission problems.
I have gotten 3 recall notices on the vehicle. The first one was related to the anti-lock brake system ( I think), the second involved the internal fuel pump relay, and the most recent one I received is related to the alternator diodes. It is my understanding from reading information from this site that a recall involving the alternators for this make, model, and year of my vehicle was issued in October of 2014, so I am wondering why I only recently received a notice (like 2 weeks ago). When I took my vehicle to an authorized Chrysler dealership to repair the problem with the anti-lock brake system, I told the service department about the vehicle stalling on me and about the RPMs going crazy and asked them to check it out for me. When I picked up my vehicle, I was told that one of their mechanics drove my vehicle and had no problems with the transmission, and I was told that they ran diagnostics on the transmission and nothing showed up. But, I know something is wrong! This is not normal and should not be happening at all. I honestly do not know if I can trust the dealership, though, because they have a vested interest in Chrysler/Dodge. I would much rather have a local mechanic whom I trust look at the vehicle, but I cannot afford that.
The problem that is occurring does not happen every time I use the vehicle; it happens intermittently, and I have no warning. I am fortunate that these incidences have not caused an accident.
This is the only vehicle my family owns. I cannot afford to take it to a mechanic to have it checked and to have it repaired if there is something wrong. I also cannot be without the use of a vehicle for an indefinite period of time. I have an elderly mother in law with a lot of health problems, and my husband is disabled, and I have to have a way to transport them to appointments.
I am not sure if the problems I am having with my Durango are related to the TIPM and alternator because I do not know much about vehicle mechanics. However, I do know that a vehicle with as low mileage as mine should not be stalling while driving and having RPMs going crazy while the engine sounds like it is revving up even though the vehicle is barely moving. I just want my vehicle to function like it is supposed to and to be dependable. All the recall notices I have gotten in combination with what seems to be a transmission problem make me question the reliability of my vehicle and make me a little apprehensive to drive it.
Purchased the truck in June 2011, and the issue began December 2011. Truck has to be towed because it will not start. The first time in the shop they flushed the transmission and got it to start again. Second trip - it wouldn't act up for them. The third trip, they restarted my computer system. This trip, it's still at the shop and being a mystery. At times, the truck will not properly engage in any direction - it actually makes a horrible thump when it finally wants to go into gear.
Once that starts acting up on the truck, that's when it never wants to turn over. If on some occasions I can get it to turn over, I have to floor the gas to make sure it doesn't cut off on me. Not sure what is causing it, but being out of a vehicle for months and worrying if you will make it to and from somewhere is not a good feeling at all - especially when you have precious cargo - my son. Something needs to be fixed instead of "we got it start for you". Fix it, so it doesn't happen again!!!
Update from Aug 4, 2014: TIPM was the number one issue after being the in the shop all week. Had to replace a new harness that connected to the fuel system to make the truck start and final run again.
- Jennifer B.,
Prince George, VA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Although I am only reporting the incident that occurred on 3/7/2015 (because I only recently discovered this website), this has been a recurring problem. I purchased my 2011 Durango in November of 2012 and it only had about 24,000 miles on it. A couple of months after I purchased the vehicle, the RPMs went crazy with the engine revving, but there was no power and the vehicle stalled. I had to put the vehicle in neutral and then back in drive to get the transmission to change gears. With the most recent incident on 3/7/2015, the RPMs were going crazy and it sounded like I was gunning the vehicle, but it was hardly moving. I had to stop, put the vehicle in neutral and then back in drive. After that, the vehicle drove fine. I do not even have 52,000 miles on my Durango, and there is no excuse for transmission problems.
I have gotten 3 recall notices on the vehicle. The first one was related to the anti-lock brake system ( I think), the second involved the internal fuel pump relay, and the most recent one I received is related to the alternator diodes. It is my understanding from reading information from this site that a recall involving the alternators for this make, model, and year of my vehicle was issued in October of 2014, so I am wondering why I only recently received a notice (like 2 weeks ago). When I took my vehicle to an authorized Chrysler dealership to repair the problem with the anti-lock brake system, I told the service department about the vehicle stalling on me and about the RPMs going crazy and asked them to check it out for me. When I picked up my vehicle, I was told that one of their mechanics drove my vehicle and had no problems with the transmission, and I was told that they ran diagnostics on the transmission and nothing showed up. But, I know something is wrong! This is not normal and should not be happening at all. I honestly do not know if I can trust the dealership, though, because they have a vested interest in Chrysler/Dodge. I would much rather have a local mechanic whom I trust look at the vehicle, but I cannot afford that.
The problem that is occurring does not happen every time I use the vehicle; it happens intermittently, and I have no warning. I am fortunate that these incidences have not caused an accident.
This is the only vehicle my family owns. I cannot afford to take it to a mechanic to have it checked and to have it repaired if there is something wrong. I also cannot be without the use of a vehicle for an indefinite period of time. I have an elderly mother in law with a lot of health problems, and my husband is disabled, and I have to have a way to transport them to appointments.
I am not sure if the problems I am having with my Durango are related to the TIPM and alternator because I do not know much about vehicle mechanics. However, I do know that a vehicle with as low mileage as mine should not be stalling while driving and having RPMs going crazy while the engine sounds like it is revving up even though the vehicle is barely moving. I just want my vehicle to function like it is supposed to and to be dependable. All the recall notices I have gotten in combination with what seems to be a transmission problem make me question the reliability of my vehicle and make me a little apprehensive to drive it.
- Kimberley O., Perkinston, MS, US