2003 Dodge Durango: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 339 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 339 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The obd reader on my 2003 Durango brings up code for central timing module and eeprm checksum error were the safety recall is in order but the vin number is not in the list of recall. It has all the specification of recall but vin number isn't in the list of recalls. I'm driving around in a unsafe vehicle due to manufacturing error that my vin number is the only thing why they won't fix it. Why do they not care if I kill myself or others from this that the recall is”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was towed back to the residence. The local dealer st. Louis auto sales located at 2727 delmar blvd, st. Louis, mo 63103, was contacted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 226,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2020
“Tl* the contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 2003 dodge durango. The contact state that while his mother was driving 55 mph, the vehicle downshifted to first gear without warning temporarily and then returned to normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Leith chrysler jeep (5500 capital blvd, raleigh, nc 27616, (919) 867-5907) was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Hello yesterday I left work wasn't in my truck for 5 minutes and it started smoking white smoke came out and I seen antifreeze spray everywhere I don't know if the engine locked on me or the head gasket is blown either way what can I do about this also before this happened when it rains my truck will spin it scared the hell out of me when I was driving to work but this only happens when it rains the tires look good”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2020
“The drivers side wheel, hub assembly axle bearing front suspension broke off. Completely broke off. Extremely dangerous and seriously danaged”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge durango. The contact heard a popping sound and felt it through the driveshaft. In addition, the two front tires were worn on the inside tread. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that both upper ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to lake city chrysler dodge jeep ram (4325 w us hwy 90, lake city, fl 32055, (386) 755-3444) to verify the diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 164,297.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2019
“I was driving along when all lights inside and out started to flash on and off at a very fast rat. The car continued to drive ok. Ever since these lights continue to flash. I have talked to a few mechanics and have had different ideas. I can't invest a few hundred dollars on maybe s. Please help. Millage is 126000”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2019
“Air bag light stays 'on ' on dashboard, had to take to service station to get it checked out , they told me to check if there were any recalls for this issue . Also the check engine light stays on , code is for evap leak , changed the gas cap , checked hoses , light remains after being cleared.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge durango. The contact stated that the headlights and instrument panel lighting flickered on and off. The vehicle was taken to desert 215 superstore (8030 rafael rivera way, las vegas, nv, (702) 963-8000) where it was diagnosed that the body module compartment needed replacement; however, the part was no longer manufactured. The dealer stated that the part could be purchased online and they would be able to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2018
“The steering column contains a universal joint which clicks whenever making a turn and causes the steering wheel to bind and then release suddenly which causes a degree of confusion and if not repaired could cause a major accident through the complete loss of controll or the vehicle by separation of the steering column. This clicking, binding and sudden release with a degree of confusion happens at all speeds including while sitting still!”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 29 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Durango by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Durango reliable?
NHTSA has 339 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Dodge Durango. The most complained-about area is suspension (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Durango problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,188 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.