NHTSA Complaint #11516091 — 2017 DODGE DURANGO

While driving, the transmission gave out. There was no prior indication of any issue - no warning light and no different noise. The car wouldn't change gears, which was an extremely dangerous situation in traffic. This transmission is "supposed" to be so good that there isn't a way to even check the transmission oil - there is no dipstick. Dodge claims that the oil doesn't need to be checked, it is that good. Howerver, after the failure and having it towed to the dealer, the report was that the transmission was was black! How is a consumer supposed to be able to check a basic, required fluid with no dipstick? There isn't a way to have any preventative check on the transmission, yet it just fails without warning? There are at least two design flaws that compromise safety - no way to check the transmission oil, and the transmission completely going out without so much as an engine light coming on first. I purchased the car new, and it only has 70,000 miles on it - a transmission should not have black fluid and go out with that little use.