2003 Dodge Durango Problems, Recalls & Reliability
485 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 Dodge Durango, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 5 defect investigations. It scores 18/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Suspension leads the reports, typically around 45,863 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2003 Dodge Durango has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2003 sits among all Durango years
What owners report
“We took the vehicle was to an independent mechanic for a front end alignment. The mechanic stated that the top and bottom ball joints needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was unable to be aligned. The vehicle was not repaired.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Durango
“Rear air dont work from heat to cold . Turn head lights on the parks lights dont work”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Durango
“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 to NHTSA, 2003 Durango
“The drivers side wheel, hub assembly axle bearing front suspension broke off. Completely broke off. Extremely dangerous and seriously danaged”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Durango
“The center wheel caps come off while driving. The caps do not fit tight on the wheels. I can remove the caps easily only using my fingers.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Durango
“I took my vehicle in to the dealer for an oil change and was told there is metal in the differential and my warranty had expired, the differential had components in it that came apart and shattered they have to be replaced the mechanic still has the vehicle and i believe i can get the old parts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Durango
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 327 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 68,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 30,000 and 104,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
Fix: 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 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.
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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 06V339000.
Led to recall campaign 04V596000.
Technical service bulletins
50 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2003 Dodge Durango. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2003 Durango TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2003 Dodge Durango reliable?
The 2003 Dodge Durango drew 485 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 18/100, scored against the model's worst year (1999).
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Durango problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 Dodge Durango are suspension (107 complaints), electrical (102), and engine (52).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Durango problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 Dodge Durango problems around 68,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 30,000 and 104,000 miles.
Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2003 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.