KnownCarProblems2003 Dodge Durango Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 339 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Durango, most often about the suspension (27% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles). It is 12th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Dodge Durango problems
Suspension
91 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
I own a 2003 Dodge Durango. I brought the vehicle in for an oil change at 41000 miles. I was told I had to replace my driver side upper control arm immediately because it was going to fall off. I heard no sounds from the front end prior to this event that would have lead me to suspect something was wrong. I travel on…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. While attempting to make a right turn at 30 MPH, the vehicle veered to the right. The contact experienced difficulty controlling the vehicle, but was able to drive to his residence. He took the vehicle to a repair shop the following day and they repaired the vehicle at the cost of…
Electrical
57 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, horn.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the automatic key fob failed and all of the interiors warning lamps were illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned that the all of the gauges were providing erroneous readings. The head lights had also failed. The vehicle was taken to a local…
Since purchasing this vehicle new it has had major electrical issues. The sad part, nobody at Dodge cared. It would shift into 4WD low at dangerous speeds. After taking to several Dodge dealers none could or would fix it. Dodge themselves basically laughed at ripping off yet another customer. Nhtsb has totally ignored…
Engine
52 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Have a 2003 Dodge Durango. Was driving down the highway when it sounded like something fell off the car the car was immediately pulled over and there were flames coming from under the engine. The car quickly became total engulfed in flames and burned up. The car is a 100% lose.
While driving down highway, the oil warning light came on. Immediately we pulled over and checked oil, which was fine. We started the car and began driving. While driving, the engine began to make a clicking noise. Immediately, I pulled over again and had to have the car towed to a Dodge dealership. I was told by the…
Lights
39 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
2003 Dodge Durango: after about 15 minutes of driving we hear clicking noises and see lights (exterior and interior) flickering. Starts with just a few clicks and flickers and then became worse the longer we drive. Took it to a shop, they couldn't find a problem. Happened again a week later (vehicle not driven much at…
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the automatic key fob failed and all of the interiors warning lamps were illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned that the all of the gauges were providing erroneous readings. The head lights had also failed. The vehicle was taken to a local…
Brakes
32 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
While driving at any speed rear disc brake squealed. Dealer examined the vehicle on two occasions, and claimed that the system was working normally.
When braking brake pedal pulsated. Vehicle was taking to the deale, and dealer replaced both front rotors. Consumer was concerned that both rotors wore out prematurely at 16,000 miles.
Wheels and tires
27 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, temporary/emergency spare tire, hubcap/cover.
I noticed that my right tire was loosing it was tread. I thought that I could just take it in for a wheel allignment, but the shop said that it was a worn out upper ball joint. It is going to cost me around $800.00 to fix it. I am over on my warranty by 1000 miles and when I call daimlerchrysler they said that there…
Found a flat tire this morning and noticed that the flat was due to the tire wall separating from the rest of the tire my SUV only has 30,000 miles on it and all 4 of the tires are doing this on an even seam around the entire tire. The tires were manufactured in 2002. The tires are practically new due to the about of…
Transmission
24 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle hubs.
While driving any speed, the vehicle stalled. . The cause was not determined. 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…
My wife had our 2003 Durango in to the local Dodge dealer for service one morning a few weeks ago, since it would not come out of 4 wheel drive and was steering funny and vibrating/clunking. They told her it was still under waranty and a part would have to be ordered (transfer module) for the control of it but it was…
Visibility and wipers
24 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the blower motor harness fan became hot and melted the wiring. The contact activated the air conditioner but there was no response. The dealer was notified of the failure who informed him that he would have to purchase a kit and repair it himself. The…
2003 Dodge Durango and 2003 Dodge caravan. Both vehicles have blower fan speed resistors that are burnt out. The vehicles have no heat to clear windshields of frost fogging or ice. I asked Dodge world in clifton park new york if there was any recalls and they stated no. Too repair these vehicles the entire dash and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Dodge Durango recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: This may allow development of a high resistive short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: upper ball joint
Risk: Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module. Owner notification began on july 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: If the lights fail, a visibility problem could occur, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle under-seat fire
Summary
Daimlerchrylser corporation (dcc) will recall 35,103 my 2001-2003 dodge durango vehicles equipped with front bench seats (recall # 06v339, see defect report for details).the subject vehicles are equipped with either front bucket seats or a 40-20-40 split front bench seat.vehicles equipped with front bench seat contain an uncapped, unused connector located under the front edge of the seat.the connector provides power to the center console power outlet for vehicles with bucket seats, but it is unused in vehicles equipped with bench seats.the connector is located rearward of the cup holder on the tunnel for vehicles equipped with the bench seat.this connector contains a fused b+ circuit wire (t
Fire under the driver's seat
Summary
Odi is aware of 10 reports alleging that a fire originates underneath the driver's seat.six of thefires occurred while the vehicle was parked with the ignition switch turned off (key not in the ignition).the subject vehicles are equipped with manual seats. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis, (ea06-011), to allow further investigation of the issue.
Upper ball joint separation
Summary
Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint retention capacity (NHTSA recall no. 04v-596).though dcc does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, odi believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise.because of the low rates of separation incidents in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of agency resources does no
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Summary
In july 2003, odi opened pe03-032 based on 4 consumer complaints alleging separation of an upper ball joint.complaints alleged an unexpected collapse in the front end and in some occasions the ball joint separation is alleged to have resulted in the wheel, brake rotor, and steering knuckle separating from the vehicle.since opening the pe, odi has received 23 additional complaints related to ball joint separation. Daimlerchrysler has identified a wearout concern in the subject ball joints that is believed to occur after water intrusion evacuates the joint lubricant.daimlerchrysler does not believe the condition poses an unreasonable risk to safety because the suspension design in the subject
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Durango
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Durango?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (91 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); electrical (57 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); engine (52 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 7, 2006 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Dodge Durango?
- It is 12th of 26 Durango model years by number of complaints, with 339 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.