Automatic Transmission Park/neutral Start Switch Problems of Dodge Durango - part 1

I have a 2002 Dodge Durango. I purchased the vehicle around 12/20/07. Around 1/5/08 I noticed that the vehicle could be shifted out of park with out the key in the ignition or the brake being pressed. This is an obvious safety concern as it could easily slip out of park or if there is a child in the car they could hit it out of park. I did some research on the problem and found that there was a recall for this exact problem on 01-02 Dodge Durangos and dakotas. I then got in contact with a dealership to have the recall work done and they said that my VIN number was not under the recall and that I had to call Chrysler customer service. I called them and they to told me my vehicle was not covered under the recall and that they would not fix it. I feel that my car should be covered under the warranty because I am experiencing the exact thing they were recalled for and have the same year and make of the recall. Please let me know if there is any way you can help me.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Durango 🔎.

Gear shift mechanism engages without pressing foot on brake. A small child was able to put into gear. Consumer feels this is very dangerous.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Durango 🔎.

Vehicle was in park and ignition turned off when vehicle suddenly rolled forward into a tree. Please provide any further information.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Durango 🔎.

I doubled parked the truck in front of an old Ford ltd. , placed the truck in park and left it in idle. Got out of the truck leaving the front door open, went to the rear left door to take out a car seat when suddenly the truck slipped into reverse pealing the two left doors with the Ford and damaging the left front fender. The damages to the truck where over $4500. 00. According to the dealer where daimler road side assistance took the truck (riverdale Chrysler) they found no problems with the transmission and after having the truck for over 7 weeks I received a call stating that the check engine light was coming on. The accident happened on July 12th, 2002 and its now August 4th and I still have not gotten the truck back.

Vehicle slips into gear without key being in the ignition. Please provide any further information.

Engine was off, keys out of ignition, a small child put vehicle into gear and vehicle rolled backwards, hitting a barn. Please provide any further information.

I was not told there was no safety feature on this vehichle. You do not have to apply the brake to put it in gear while the car is on. So my one year old drove the Durango threw the garage. And Dodge told me it was on there the feature but the searched and did not find it. So I found out that the 2003 has this safety feature and they will not tell me why its on there now. And they will not put one on it or get us in a 2003. I thought all vehichles were suppose to have them for safety reasons like what my baby did. Please help us to get our truck child proof.

Vehicle went into gear without pressing on brake. Vehicle rolled and hit a deck. Please provide any further information.

Gear shifter shifts without using brake or any other saftey device.

Vehicle was parked with engine off, consumer was helping child out of vehicle, when child bumped into shift lever and caused it to shift from park to drive. Consumer was able to jump in, and stop vehicle. No injuries.

Truck park in gear on flat spot truck rolled 50 ft down hill and hit tree dead center of truck. Truck was in park 4+4was in two wheel drive but diamler chesler is going to look at it but I know tey going to say its my fault but I did nothing wrong but park and walk away.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Durango 🔎.

While parked and idling a 3year old child was able to shift vehicle out of park into drive, and without applying brake pedal, vehicle went into a corn field before stopping; dealer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

A three year old son climbed into vehicle and shifted gear from park to reverse and again from reverse to drive without ever applying brakes. Then, shifted again into forward without touching the gas pedal or brake pedal. Crashed into the garage.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Durango 🔎.

Child pulled vehicle out of gear without touching brakes. Vehicle hit curb with child still inside. This messed up bottom of truck. Contactrf dealer, and no response was received. Please add VIN.

While idling in driveway vehicle jumped out of park into reverse. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that had never heard of problem before.

Consumer's child was able to take vehicle out of park and put it into reverse while she was being buckled into a child safety seat. Vehicle started rolling backwards. Consumer was able to stop vehicle. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

While shift lever indicator was in park and engine was idling vehicle jumped into reverse and traveled approximately 50 feet. Vehicle crashed into trees, causing property and vehicle damage. There were no injuries during this incident. Dealership examined vehicle, and replaced driveshaft in an attempt to correct the problem. On 06-Nov-2001, while vehicle was in park and idling, it jumped out of park into reverse and traveled approximately 20 feet. In an attempt to stop vehicle, a tire rolled over owners ankle. Dealership was currently examining vehicle for second incident. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

Consumer's daughter went out to start vehicle and her coat sleeve got caught on gear shift. Vehicle slipped into drive, and vehicle crashed into house. Manufacturer had no plans to add the feature which was not offered even for new vehicles.

There is no shift interlock present in automatic transmission assembly. Consumer is able to take the vehicle out of park without depressing brakes. Ergo, a child could easily shift a vehicle out of park. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Vehicle was running but in park, parent was watching vehicle with 7 year old inside. Child was able to shift gear into reverse without even applying brakes.

When engine is on and in park, consumer is able to move into any gear without pressing the brakes. Consumer called Chrysler corporation to complain. They would not take the complaint. Consumer advised consumer to be careful not to accidentally hit the gear shift when the vehicle was on.

My wife put the car in park to walk into a store and the car jumped into reverse, moving quickly toward a busy street with my son in the back seat. She was able to open the door and dive in, hitting the brakes in time to avoid a collision. Her only injury was a bruise on her head from hitting the door frame, but had she not been able to recover in time the car certainly would have ended up in the middle of the street. I have experienced problems with the indicator (telling what gear I am in) in the past, but the dealer dismissed all claims of defect. When I heard of the grand cherokee probe I realized there was somehting I could do to report this problem. I hope others do as well.

Car was running with no emergency brake on, also, small child was able to put car into neutral without pressing the brakes, and car rolled backwards, resulting in a crash.

Child crawled out of car seat and placed transmission into drive, car took off, able to chase it down and stop vehicle. At a bus stop where many kids were around and could have been hit if driver was not right next to vehicle.

Dealer states that part not required for trucks. A three year old child shifted from park into reverse, and vehicle took off.

Reporting 2-year old child was able to shift vehicle out of gear ( from reverse to forward ). Vehicle ran into an office building wall. No injuries reported.

The shift lever can be disengaged from the park position without touching the brakes. The 2- year old child was able to disengage the lever. The vehicle had hit another vehicle. Will be taking vehicle to dealership to check out.

The child which was strapped in the css and left alone in the vehicle with engine running, child climbed out of the css and pushed transmission shift lever and vehicle roll forward, causing a crash. Please provide further information.

Safety lockout used to keep the vehicle in park (until brake pedal is depressed) failed. Gear lever was accidently engaged and the vehicle drove into a structure. Minor damage occured - but it just missed 2 kids and a woman.

There is no automatic transmission interlock system in the 1998 Durango. A child moved the automatic transmission, and the vehicle rolled away. It caused a crash.

Vehicle was shifted out of gear by a two- year old child while parked, causing vehicle to roll into another vehicle. Vehicle gear shift was not suppose to moved unless foot was pressed on brake pedal. Dealer notified.

Leased. Owner's manual states starting the vehicle brakes must be applied and shifting to any driving range, but when brakes are not applied, vehicle can be shifted into gear. Manufacturer contacted, and stated vehicles design does not have the shift interlock. Problem still exists. Provide further information.

Vehicle does not have an interlock system, and unable to have one installed. Dealer/manufacturer notified. Consumer would like NHTSA help on this matter.

Child accidentally moved gear shifter out of park, causing vehicle to go into a lake.

While driving in very cold weather, transmission will shift into neutral intermittently, vehicle taken to dealer numerous times in 3 years. Dealer did not have a remedy. Currently, warranty has expired, dealer wanted to rebuilt transmission.