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: engine and engine cooling
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2006
SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 13, 2005
I HAVE A 2003 DURANGO, FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, THE TRUCK WILL NOT START IN THE MORNING, YOU ARE FORCED TO HOLD YOU FOOT ON THE GAS UNTIL THE TRUCK IS WARMED UP. WHEN DRIVING, WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP THE IDLE OF THE TRUCK DROPS SO LOW, FEELS LIKE THE TRUCK IS GOING TO STALL, THEN IT CAUGHT ITSELF AT THE LAST MOMENT. TRUCK HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THEN 9 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I SURE NEXT TIME I BRING IT BACK, THEY WILL FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN! *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE ENGINE LOCKED. WAS THEN ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CHECKED THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED A DEALERSHIP , WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECT WAS THE OIL PICKUP IN THE ENGINE, THAT CAUSED IT TO LOCK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR 4 MONTHS. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 28, 2005
FRONT SUSPENSION - DRIVE TRAIN - LOCKS - AXLE - POWER STEERING PUMP VEHICLE HAS HAD CONSISTENT FRONT END GRINDING NOISE SINCE 30,000 KM'S. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, FRONT AXLE SPYDER GEARS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. PREVIOUS 1998 DURANGO HAD SAME PROBLEM - FIX WAS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. 2003 DURANGO - DEALER SAYS THAT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. NOISE AND GRINDING ONLY HAPPEN AT SLOW SPEED TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT. FROM STOP TO LIGHT ACCELERATION TO HARD LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, NEW NOISE FROM REAR AXLE - LIMITED SLIP UNIT NOW GETTING LOUDER. AXLE OIL AND LIMITED SLIP ADDITIVE HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH FACTORY CHRYSLER OIL ADDITIVE. INDICATIVE OF SAME PROBLEM WITH 1998 DURANGO THAT I HAD, WHEN REAR AXLE PINION BEARING WAS HEAVILY SCORED. IN THAT INCIDENT THE SAME MAINTENANCE WAS DONE, BUT REPAIR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3,000 KM'S AND CHRYSLER ONLY PAID 50% OF REPAIR OF $700.00. OIL CHANGES ON COMPLETE DRIVETRAIN WAS $590.00 (4X4 WITH SKID PLATES). THIS APPEARS TO BE A METAL FATIGUE PROBLEM IN COMBINATION WITH ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS THAT ARE TOO WIDE IN TOLERANCES, WHICH ALLOWS FAILURE OF COMPONENTS TO COMPOUND PROBLEMS AND CREATE LONGER TERM DAMAGING RESULTS. EVER SINCE DODGE TRUCKS WENT TO MAINTENANCE FREE FRONT AXLE BEARINGS (YOU CAN'T PACK BEARINGS WITH GREASE), POOR LIMITED SLIP TOLERANCES IN REAR AXLE, AND TRANSFER CASE THAT'S ELECTRONICALLY OPERATED, THE DRIVETRAIN AND FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE EXCESSIVE LOADS AND POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS. BOTH DURANGOS THAT I'VE OWNED HAVE HAD 5 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS (CONSTANT PULLING TO THE LEFT) AND NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. STRICTLY HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. I PURCHASED FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 2003 DURANGO WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. SO FAR, OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES HAVE BEEN MINIMAL, BUT DURANGO SPENDS TOO MUCH TIME IN THE SHOP AND IS VERY INCONVENIENT TO HAVE SERVICED CONSTANTLY. NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH WARRANTY PARTS OR DEALER NOT DOING WARRANTY RECALL WORK. *JB
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 30, 2005
SLUDGE BUILD UP OCCURRED IN THE DODGE DURANGO.*MR THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT IT WAS AS A RESULT OF NEGLECT WHICH THEN VOIDED THE WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED NUMEROUS TIME BY NON-DEALER MECHANIC. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. HIS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IDLING AND AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT DEALER CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER TRIED TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR, BUT PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK IN JUNE 2005 THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT DODGE WAS AWARE OF IDLE/STALLING PROBLEMS AND MAY BE WORKING ON ENGINE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE FIX ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE COMPUTER. *SB *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 7, 2005
WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. . THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *JB UPDATED 5/3/2006 - THE CONSUMER SAT FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED IT MADE A LOT OF NOISE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME ABOUT 10 MPH. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2005
AS A FOLLOW UP TO ODI # 10100538, SINCE MY INITIAL COMPLAINT FILED ON ON NOVEMBER 25, 2004 SHEEHY REPLACED THE EVAPORATION CANISTER ON MY VEHICLE. ON JANUARY 5, 2005 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BACK IN SHEEHY'S SHOP. THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE EVAPORATION LEAK IS EXCESSIVE COMING FROM THE GAS TANK. THEY HAVE PUT ME IN A RENT A CAR UNTIL THE NEW GAS TANK COMES IN. I HAVEN'T PUT 5,000 MILES ON IT YET, IT HAS LESS THAN 26, 000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN MARCH 2004 (PURCHASED AS A USED VEHICLE). I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE AS EVERYTHING DONE TO THIS POINT HAS FAILED AND I AM AFRAID THAT ONCE THE GAS TANK IS REPLACED THAT I MAY BE IN DANGER OF SOMETHING ELSE FAILING IN WHICH CASE I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY TO LIVE TO TELL OR REPORT IT TO ANYONE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2004
WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE TEN MINUTES LATER, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK....INCIDENT DATE 09/30/2004. CONSUMER CLAIMED DODGE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR STALLING. DALER NEVER HAD AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 25, 2004
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 DODGE DURANGO IN MARCH 2004 WITH 21,448 MILES FROM ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR. ON 9/24/04 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SHEEHY DODGE IN UPPER MARLBORO, MD FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM. THE CODE WAS P0440, WHICH IS FOR A GENERAL EVAPORATION SYSTEM FAILURE AND THEY REPLACED THE PURGE SOLENOID. ON 9/30/04 I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO SHEEHY, AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SHEEHY'S ADVISOR CONTACTED ME LATER THAT DAY AND SAID THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND THERE WERE NO TROUBLE CODES DISPLAYED, (THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I ARRIVED AT SHEEHY THAT MORNING). I WAS TOLD IF THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON TO BRING IT STRAIGHT BACK, WHICH I DID AGAIN ON 10/6/04. THIS TIME THE SAME CODE CAME UP AS THE FIRST VISIT, P0440 AND THEY REPLACED THE L.D.P. LEAK DATEC PUMP. THEN AGAIN ON 11/8/04 THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN AND I TOOK IT BACK TO SHEEHY. THIS TIME THE CODE WAS ALSO FOR AN EVAPORATION LEAK AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS CAP. ON 11/23/04 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED WITH SHEEHY ON FRIDAY, 11/26/04 TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AGAIN. DURING THIS PERIOD, I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES, AS MY COMMUTE TO WORK IS ONLY 2 MILES. I AM AT MY WITS END RIGHT NOW, AS THIS WILL BE MY 5TH TIME IN TWO MONTHS THAT THIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHER 2003 DODGE DURANGO'S ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HOW MANY MORE TIMES I CAN BE EXPECTED TO HAVE TO RETURN TO DODGE SERVICE FACILITIES BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE PERMANENTLY CORRECTED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Oct 5, 2004
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER CAME TO A STOP TO LET ONCOMING TRAFFIC PASS. THE CONSUMER PUT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED WITH NO WARNING WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS WHERE STILL ON. ON OTHER OCCASIONS HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THEN GET BRIGHTER AS THE VEHICLE SPIT AND SPUTTERED FOR 15 SECONDS. THE CONSUMER HAD 4 CO-PILOTS INSTALLED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO HOLD THE RECORDINGS. THE VEHICLES LEFT FRONT SPEAKER WAS NOT WORKING. THE REAR HATCH LIGHT WILL NOT STAY IN BECAUSE THE RETAINER CLIPS BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN THE VEHICLE. *TC
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. SUDDENLY, DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 11, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND JERKED. ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND WATCHED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH NO INJURIES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT ENGINE THREW A ROD, AND IT PUNCTURED THE OIL PAN. *AK THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2003
2001 DODGE DURANGO THE ENGINE HAS GONE OUT AT ONLY 46,000 MILES .I HAVE CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3000 MILES BUT DODGE NOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT .OIL SYSTEM FAILURE.*AK