VehicleVerdict

2003 Dodge Durango problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2003 Dodge Durango sits mid-pack among Durango years: 484 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 327, with 6 recalls and 5 closed investigations. Complainants reported 33 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (107), electrical system (61), and engine (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

484

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

38

Crash-involved

23

Fires reported

33

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Durango years?

See all Durango years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Dodge Durango problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension10722%
Electrical System6113%
Engine5211%
Lighting459%
Brakes378%
Tires & Wheels306%
Transmission276%
Visibility & Wipers255%
Steering204%
Airbags174%
Other143%
Seats102%
Latches & Locks92%
Seat Belts71%
Speed Control71%
Fuel System71%
Body & Structure61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%

Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E064000SuspensionOctober 20, 2008 · 2,805 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06V339000Electrical SystemSeptember 7, 2006 · 35,103 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

06E024000EngineMarch 15, 2006 · 44,386 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

Remedy

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

04V596000SuspensionDecember 21, 2004 · 592,707 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

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.

04V216000Visibility & WipersMay 5, 2004 · 320,188 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V322000LightingDecember 2, 2002 · 3,640 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 1, 2003 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEATER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CONNECTING WIRES FOR THE FAN RESISTORS WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 1, 2007 · 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 26, 2004 · fire

I HAVE 2003 DODGE DURANGO, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE WAS REPLACED IN JANUARY 2010. THE HEADLAMPS, INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER ON & OFF. THE LEFT HEADLAMP WENT TO LOW BEAM. DRIVING AT THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WOULD GO LOW BEAM OR COMPLETELY TURN OFF FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 19, 2010

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AND ONE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 12, 2004 · crash

2003 Dodge Durango — common questions

Is the 2003 Dodge Durango reliable?

It is close to typical for the Durango: 484 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Durango problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (107 complaints), electrical system (61 complaints), engine (52 complaints).

Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Dodge Durango under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Durango years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Durango years to avoid are 1999, 2005, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2006, 2014, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2002, 2018, 2007, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among Durango years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.