2015 Dodge Charger U0101 Error: Transmission Communication Failure After Snow Tire Installation
My daughter experienced a recurring issue with her 2015 Dodge Charger SXT AWD after switching to new snow tires. She picked up the vehicle from the dealer and drove approximately 1-2 miles before pulling into a shopping mall for dinner. When she placed the shifter in Park and pressed the On/Off button, the engine shut off, but the dashboard and electrical systems remained active. The dash displayed an error message instructing her to place the transmission in Park. I tried rattling the shifter to check if the parking position switch was stuck—no improvement. I then inspected the fuse box for the AWD module, which appeared fine. Disconnecting power at the side connector of the fuse box did not resolve the issue; the dash and systems still remained powered. Attempting to open the trunk via the dashboard or key fob failed because the car detected the shifter was in Drive. Using a code reader, I retrieved a U010-1 generic error indicating loss of communication with the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The vehicle was subsequently towed back to the dealer. They accessed the trunk through the back seat, recharged the dead battery, and replaced fuse #26 (10A) for the transmission system. I remain uncertain about what caused the fuse to blow, but the total cost—including towing and labor—exceeded $300 for a single 10-amp fuse. This raises concerns about the vehicle's design, particularly the lack of manual trunk access from outside the car. I have filed a formal complaint with Safercar.gov to highlight this safety and usability issue.