The Durango started making a light knocking noise while turning and accelerating at the same time. The 12,000 mile check was due when I mentioned it to Rainier Dodge, in Olympia, WA. Their service department said they would check it after they replaced the transmission fluid.
Upon pick up, the service person said they did not hear the noise when they test drove the vehicle. Note: they did not drive it before the service. He proceeded to inform me the fluid was dirty and that the new fluid probably fixed the noise.
Approximately seven days after the service the transmission failed on the road about one mile from my home. It has now been three weeks since they towed it back to the dealership.
I have a family member that had the same transmission problem back in 1998. Not only have I heard stories about the transmissions, I am an example. Not to mention the full story of how unprofessional, indifferent, and sloppy the dealership was in handling the fall-out of the situation. If they are an example of a 5 star service dealer, Dodge needs to re-think their definition of "service".
I have been thoroughly happy with the performance, handling, and comfort of the Durango, up to the transmission failure.
This can also happen if there is something wrong with the limited slip in the rear differential.
I had a similar symptom with my 2000 at about 20K miles that was traced to a routine rear end service where the dealer technician failed to add the "friction modifier" to the new differential grease. This caused a failure of the limited slip pads in the differential and the very noise you're describing.
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