2003 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 339 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 29 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, hubOct 20, 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
Campaign 08E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemSep 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.
THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Campaign 06E024000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, upper ball jointDec 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 04V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerMay 5, 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 04V216000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlights, switchDec 2, 2002
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 02V322000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2005
AFTER TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2005
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD, AND HEARD A METALLIC NOISE HIT THE GROUND. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ALTERNATOR AND FELL OUT. *AK DEALERSHIP FOUND A LARGE BOLT THAT CAME LOOSE WHICH MAY HAVE ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE UPPER BALL JINTS CAUSING CORRSION. THE BOLT ALSO CAUSED THE WATER PUMP, GASKET, SERPENTINE BELT TO CRACK AND THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER REGARDING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS A MONTH AFTER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2005
I OWN A 2003 DURANGO WITH 20,000 MILES. AFTER DONE SHOPPING WENT TO PARKING LOT AND HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON REMOTE. HORN STARTED HONKING, LIGHTS FLASHING. THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT PANIC BUTTON BUT DIDN'T THINK SO, SO I HIT ALL THE BUTTONS AGAIN, PUT KEY IN IGNITION AND STARTED CAR BUT HORN STILL HONKED AND LIGHTS KEPT FLASHING INSIDE & OUT. COULD NOT STOP IT. STARTED TO DRIVE HOME AND LIGHTS WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AND HORN HONK INTERMITTENTLY. STOPPED AT STORE TO GET BATTERIES FOR REMOTE KEY THINKING THERE WAS SOME COMPUTER PROBLEM AND SIGNEL WASN'T RIGHT. STILL WOULD NOT STOP. CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. FOUR WAY FLASHERS KEPT FLASHING. BEFORE I COULD GET TO EXIT HIGHWAY PATROL PULLED ME OVER. SAID THAT WAS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT THAT DAY WITH A DURANGO. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR ME AND WE TOWED IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE CENTRAL TIMER MODUAL. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL DURANGO'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE CAR IS STILL IN WARRANTY I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY. *AK
Electrical system, Tires, Equipment, Nov 4, 2004
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BALLJOINTS ON MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO AND THEY FIX IT. BUT THEY DIDNT FIX MY TIRE STUD . WHEN THE BALLJOINT CAME APART THE WHOLE TIRE CAME OFF AND BROKE MY STUDS AND I TOLD THEM AND THEY DIDNT FIX IT.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2004
WHEN THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY OPENED AND CLOSED BY THEMSELVES. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TEN TIMES, FIVE COMPUTER REPLACEMENTS, AND THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE WERE INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. *SC *JB
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2004
2002 DODGE DURANGO W/4.7 V-8 PURCHASED IN AUG. MILAGE3994. TWICE SINCE AUG. ONCE IN SEPT. AND 2/21/04 THE DASHBOARD RADIATOR ICON LIT UP AND THE TEMP. GAUGE WAS ALL THE PAST HOT, I STOPPED THE DURANGO TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE GAUGE READS THE NORMAL TEMP. AND THE DASHBOARD ICON IS UNLIT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY SAID NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH DASH ICON ON AND THE TEMP GAUGE PEGGED PAST H.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2003
I PURCHASED A NEW DODGE DURANGO ON JUY 11, 2003 AND IT NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 800 MILES ON IT. I HAD DRIVEN IT WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL LAST THURSDAY, AUGUST 14. I PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AND IT NEVER STARTED FOR ME AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT ON FRIDAY, THE GAS GAUGE WAS REGISTERING EMPTY ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A HALF OF A TANK OF GAS IN IT. I TRIED TO START IT SAT, SUN AND MON. IT MADE A NOICE BUT WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT EARLY MON MORNING. THEY ALSO COULD NOT START IT. MULTIPLE TESTS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR FOR THE LAST 5 DAYS AND THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START IT BUT THEY CAN NOT DIAGNOIS OR FIX THE PROBLEM AS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. THE CAR WOULD NOT START FOR THE DEALER 3 TIMES WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION. TODAY, FRIDAY, AUG 22, THE DEALER HAD THE CAR RUNNING AND WANTED TO RELEASE IT BACK TO ME WITH NO REPAIRS. I REFUSED TO TAKE IT BACK AS I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND AM AFRAID THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DEPEND ON IT STARTING EVERYDAY AS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT DIDN'T START FOR ALL THE OTHER DAYS. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR TO SEE IF IT STARTS ON MON, AUG 25TH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CATEGORY THIS FALLS INTO BUT TO ME IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMPUTERS IN THE CAR ARE READING THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF GAS AND MAYBE IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I MAY BE IN AN UNSAFE AREA OR OUT AT NIGHT ALONE AND THIS CAR WILL NOT START. I WON'T BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE OUT OF STATE BECAUSE I'LL BE AFRAID THAT I'LL BE STRANDED. I WOULD NEVER BELIEVE THAT I WOULD PURCHASE A CAR AT THIS PRICE AND HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN IT OR HAVE THE ABILTY TO GO WHERE I CHOOSE AND WHEN I CHOOSE. ALL I WANTED WAS TO GET THE CAR FIXED BUT NO ONE CAN DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *AK