Remote Keyless Entry System
A remote keyless entry (RKE) system is available with all equipment levels. Two transmitters, programmed to operate the system during vehicle assembly, are supplied with each vehicle. Each transmitter has three buttons that control lock, unlock and panic features. System operation includes the following features:

Driver's Door Unlock
Pressing the unlock button once unlocks the driver's door only. The driver's door unlock feature is normally enabled at the assembly plant but may be disabled by the dealer using a DRB III scan tool.

Unlock All Doors
Pressing the unlock button twice within 5 seconds unlocks all doors and the liftgate. If the driver's door unlock feature is disabled, all doors and the liftgate unlock when pressing the unlock button once.

Lock All Doors
Pressing the lock button locks all doors. If the ignition is off, interior illumination will terminate and the horn will chirp, confirming lock action. The horn chirp is normally disabled but may be enabled by the dealer using a DRB III scan tool.

Panic Alarm
When the operator presses the panic button on the remote keyless entry transmitter and the ignition is off, panic mode operation and an illuminated entry period begin. In panic mode the horn honks twice per second, and the headlamps flash once per second. Panic mode operation will stop after 3 minutes, or when vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h), or if the remote keyless entry transmitter panic button is pressed again. With the vehicle theft alarm system (VTA), activating the panic mode will not disarm the VTA. If the ignition is on, panic will operate, but VTA will be disabled.

Illuminated Entry
An illuminated entry feature is included with the RKE system. Actuating the RKE transmitter turns on all interior lamps and initiates the Courtesy Lamp Time Delay.
As with other Chrysler remote keyless entry systems, the transmitter communicates with the on-board receiver located in the central timing module (CTM) via a radio signal. The transmitter has a range of approximately 23 feet (7 m). It is powered by replaceable batteries.

Vehicle Theft Alarm
The Durango offers a vehicle theft alarm (VTA) with SLT and SLT+ equipment. It discourages unauthorized entry, deters theft of the vehicle, and may reduce insurance premiums.
VTA works with the RKE system. It continuously monitors door, liftgate and ignition switches. If any of these switches is disturbed, VTA issues a warning to deter unauthorized entry and disables the ignition system to prevent the vehicle from being driven. VTA is enabled at the assembly plant. The VTA system operates in the following manner:

Arming VTA
Before VTA can arm, the ignition must be off and all doors and the liftgate must be closed. When any door or the liftgate is opened and then locked either by pressing a power door lock switch or by pressing lock on the RKE transmitter, the arming process begins after the last door and/or the liftgate is closed. If all doors and the liftgate are already closed, pressing the lock button on the RKE transmitter begins the arming process immediately. VTA may be armed while the vehicle is occupied but parked. Turning a key in the door lock or locking doors with the manual lock buttons will not initiate arming of the VTA.During arming, which takes 15 seconds, the SECURITY lamp in the instrument cluster will blink. During this 15 second period, the arming process will terminate if a key is turned in the ignition, if a door is opened, or if a door is unlocked with either the RKE transmitter, the power door lock switch or a key. Once armed, the ignition switch may be turned to the Run/Accessory position (to listen to the radio, etc.) without triggering the alarm.

Triggering VTA
Once VTA is armed, the alarm will trigger if any door or the liftgate is opened, or the ignition switch is turned to the Run/Start position. When triggered, engine operation is inhibited, the horn will pulse intermittently, and the headlamps will flash. The horn warning continues for up to three minutes; the headlamp warning for up to 18 minutes. These warnings will cease if the condition triggering the alarm is removed or the system is disarmed. Attempting to circumvent the system by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery or unplugging the VTA controller will trigger the warning indicator sequence. Attempting to start the engine without disarming the system will trigger the full range of outputs. The engine will not run until VTA is disarmed.

Disarming VTA
VTA is disarmed by unlocking a door or the liftgate with the key or by pressing the unlock button on the RKE transmitter. Unlocking doors with the manual lock knobs or with the power lock switches will not disarm VTA to deter vehicle theft by breaking a window. On vehicles with VTA, unlocking with the key or with the RKE transmitter turns on all interior lamps and initiates the Courtesy Lamp Time Delay.

Tamper Alert
If VTA was triggered but all warnings have ceased due to the passage of time, the horn will pulse three times the next time VTA is disarmed.

"Intelligent" Power Door Locks
As on Dakota, the Central Timer Module (CTM) can be programmed to operate available power door locks automatically. This secures the doors against unwanted entry and reduces the possibility of their opening in a collision.

CTM logic initiates automatic locking when both doors are closed and vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph (24 km/h) propelled by the engine, not coasting. If a door is opened, automatic locking will repeat when all required conditions are restored. Automatic locking will be disabled at the assembly plant but may be enabled by the dealer using a DRB III scan tool.

Door locking signals from the door lock switches will not lock the doors if the key is in the ignition or the headlamps are on when the driver's door is open. (The doors can still be locked with the RKE transmitter.) In addition, the key in ignition and headlamp warning tones operate continuously as long as the door is open. CTM logic prevents transmission of the locking signal and triggers the warning under these conditions.

Theft Deterrence
Like Dakota, the Durango door locks have seven tumblers, the same number as provided by the ignition key, to discourage theft and illegal entry. This reduces the possibility of theft through use of substitute keys and the possibility of unlocking the wrong vehicle.

In the locked position, manual door locking knobs are recessed below the top surface of their surrounding bezels, making attempted entry by hooking the tabs more difficult. As an alternative to extending above the tops of the bezels in the unlocked position, bright red arrows on the inboard sides of the lock knobs are visible when the doors are unlocked.

The spare tire is secured against theft because the winch used to lift the tire into its stored position is accessible only from inside the vehicle.