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: service brakes
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2004
STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN.*MR BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ANTI LOCK CONTROL MODULE AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 TO 50 MPH THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. AND PADS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 12, 2004
HAD THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON A 2003 DODGE DURGANO AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND TRUCK IS STILL RIDING AND HANDLING BADLY. DEALERS DO NOT TAKE THE PROBLEM SERIOUS. WHAT CAN I DO.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Dec 29, 2003
WHILE DRIVING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND HIT THE BRAKE LINE. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 19, 2003
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, INCLUDING BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES OPERATED POORLY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 22, 2003
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jul 31, 2003
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY 2003 IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE, THE REAR END TWICE AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. I OWNED A 1999 DURANGO AND HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED A FEW TIMES AND THE BALL JOINTS. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD DONE THE SAME THING. DODGE COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT DURANGO AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE LAST DURANGO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE CROSSING OVER LANES WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMING RIGHT AT ME. AGAIN, THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SAME WITH THIS ONE. I AM REQUESTING THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND WILLIAMSBURG DODGE REFUND MY MONEY AND TAKE THE TRUCK BACK. THEY RECENTLY HAD MY DURANGO FOR 15 DAYS. THE FIRST 10 DAYS THE DISTRICT MANAGER, JAMES BROWN, AND SHANE LOCKHART, DEALERS TECH MANAGER, ARGUED THAT MY CAMPER WEIGHED TOO MUCH. I GAVE THEM EVIDENCE THAT MY CAMPER ONLY WEIGHED 4295 LBS. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SELLS THE DURANGO BOASTING IT CAN TOW 7400 LBS. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER, JAMES BROWN SAID HE MADE A MISTAKE ON THE WEIGHT. NOW, THEY WANT TO INSPECT MY CAMPER FOR FAULTY BREAKS. THEY ARE SAYING SOMEHOW IT IS CAUSING STRESS ON THE DURANGO. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! I HAVE HAD MY CAMPER INSPECTED. SURPRISINGLY, THE PLACE WHERE I HAVE GONE SAYS THEY GET THIS A LOT FROM DODGE OWNERS. DO WE SEE A PATTERN? THEY ALSO GET A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR DODGE OWNERS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION COOLANTS PUT ON THEIR DODGES. WHAT DOES THIS TELL US? CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM TELLS A LOT ABOUT DODGE. WE NEED SOMETHING TO BE DONE WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER. *PH