Most common 2003 Dodge Durango problems
Share of the 339 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Durango complaints by model year
Best Durango years: 2020, 2024, 2022. Years to avoid: 1999, 2005, 2000, 1998. Compare all years →
2003 Dodge Durango recalls (4)
Electrical system
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
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.
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2003 Dodge Durango:
Fire under the driver's seat
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.
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
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.
Safety belt cinching latch plate
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.
Vehicle under-seat fire
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…
Upper ball joint separation
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.
What 2003 Dodge Durango owners say
Suspension all 91 →
Bags. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, however the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the brakes were depressed and fail to respond without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings and wheel arms needed to be replaced. The wheel bearing was repaired but the wheel arm wasn't. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 08e064000(suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. Jo
Dodge Durango 2003 brought October 2003. On October 21, 2004 while on my way to work (a local high school), a woman fell asleep and hit the Durango from behind on the passenger side. The vehicle crossed the oncoming lane of a two-lane minor highway (rte 187) and went into the front yard of a home and hit a tree. Speed limit is 35. The front passenger nose of the Durango impacted with the tree. The damage to the vehicle was deemed totaled by the other driver's insurance company (state farm). The item we wish to draw to your attention is that the damage to the car involved the suspension rod, which came off and up through the front passenger seat of the carand through the roof. Had anyone been sitting there they would have most certainly been skewered. Thankfully, I had just dropped my children off . My 16 year old normally sits up front. …
Electrical system all 57 →
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced after being drained due to an unknown electrical failure. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the alarm would inadvertently sound while the vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the lights would flash on and off intermittently. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that she was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would only restart while in Neutral. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle would be an out of pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
"Takata recall"on January 2017 my 2003 Dodge Durango. Became a blaze under my carport. Attach to my home. Causing a total loss to my home and vehicle. I purchased my vehicle April of 2003 brand new. At liberty Chrysler dogge Jeep. In hinesville georgia. This happened at approximately 1:25 a.m. On the morning of January 27th. The vehicle had not been droven since a promptly 9 the night before. After the fight ilearn that there was a recall on the year of this vehicle. This is the recall# 06V339000. I was never made aware of this recall by mail or phone.
Engine & cooling all 52 →
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
I purchased my vehicle 10/2019. Since then I have taken to repair shop for vehicle stalls when coming to a stop or at a stop, let along when slowing for a stop. Then RPM's drop! I have almost been rear ended multiple times due to this, with my children and grandchildren in car!!! The shop I've taken to can not find out why this is happening. Granted we tried replacing hoses, valve gaskets tune up. I feel there should be a recall to find and fix this before a serious injury happens. This has also happened as I was driving and I had to put in neutral to restart. The streets and roads I have to travel are usually always busy. Also the vehicle when stopping the front driver and passenger seats slide back and forth, they are not what I would call safe... For I believe the rules ares to check mirrors, adjust seating, wear seat belts to ensure that you will be driving safely. …
2003 Dodge Durango engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 13 |
| 5.9L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Durango a good car?
Based on 339 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Durango rates better than average: 55% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Durango at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Dodge Durango?
The suspension — 91 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm › upper ball joint. Next are the electrical system (57) and engine & cooling (52).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2003 Dodge Durango, the most recent from September 7, 2006 (electrical system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Durango?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2024 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2005, 2000 and 1998. See the full Dodge Durango years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Durango problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 44% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.