VehicleVerdict

2003 Dodge Durango engine problems

The 2003 Dodge Durango has 52 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

52

Engine complaints

11%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?

NHTSA has 52 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Durango engine — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Dodge Durango engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 06E024000.

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.