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
339 reports, newest first.
Tires, Sep 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX, LT265/75R16, DOT VNW81XY1402. *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
Suspension, Aug 12, 2003, crash
ON THE 2003 DODGE DURANGO ON HIGHWAY DRIVE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN YOU GO PAST 65 MPH. IT SHAKES AND PULLS TO EITHER SIDE. MY RENTAL WENT TO THE RIGHT OTHER DURANGOS ON THE HIGH WAY WENT TO THE LEFT.*AK
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
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
Suspension, Jul 29, 2003
FRONT SUSPENSION. *AK
Seat belts, Jul 23, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR SEAT BELTS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS, BUT CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW WHICH PARTS.*AK
Suspension, Jul 23, 2003
WHILE DRIVING DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO, VEHICLE NEEDS CONSTANT REALIGNMENT. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 22, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR END COLLISION AT 25/30 MPH , ON IMPACT THE RARE HATCH BACK POP OPEN AND LUGGAGE FELL OUT. BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT THE IMPACT WASN'T' SEVERE ENOUGH TO RELEASE THE HATCH BACK.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 5, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE DURANGO SLT ON APRIL 24,2003. WHEN MY VEHICLE HIT 800 MILES THE LOCKS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ALL THE TIME, WHETHER THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE TOPOR DODGE 2 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE FIXED. IT IS NOW BACK IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ONLY NOW THEY JUST KEEP UNLOCKING ALL THE TIME. I HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT TOPOR TIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED BECAUSE THE DOORS WON'T STAY LOCKED AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I WORK IN SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS AND IT IS UNSAFE TO TAKE MY OWN DURANGO TO WORK. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE JUNE 3,2003 AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I WILL BE WITHOUT MY BRAND NEW DURANGO. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT I KNOW LONGER WANT TO DEAL WITH. MY DURANGO NOW HAS 4200 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Seats, May 6, 2003
WHILE THE CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE SEAT AND PULLED THE LEVER DOWN HIS THUMB BECAME CAUGHT IN METAL BRACKET HINGE. *JB
Air bags, May 1, 2003
THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM RECALL NUMBER B32 RELATED TO THE SENSOR MODULE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SERVICE MANAGER MATT BARTOLO FILE NUMBER 11214898). *NLM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2003
THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 65 MPH, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. *JB THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN GOING OVER HIGHWAY SEAMS AND BRIDGES. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MAINTAIN A CONSTANT (SET) SPEED AND WILL VARY FROM 5 MPH AND SWAP TO REGAIN SET SPEED WHEN GOING UP LONG GRADE WHEN ENGAGED. SCC
Suspension, Sep 25, 2002
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP OR WET OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AB BRAKING PUMP HAS MALFUNCTION. PART ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER.