Total Complaints
484 filings
DODGE DURANGO · model year
484 NHTSA complaints, 38 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003DODGEDURANGO carries 484 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 38 crashes, 23 fires, 33 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 DURANGO is suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint with 47 filings, followed by electrical system (47) and exterior lighting (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2003 DURANGO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
484 filings
Crashes Reported
38 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | 47 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 47 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 23 |
| SUSPENSION | 20 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 15 |
| STEERING | 14 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 13 |
| ENGINE | 12 |
| TIRES | 11 |
| AIR BAGS | 11 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 10 |
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. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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 WHEE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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,
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Clogged or leaking A/C drain hose. This hose is responsible for draining condensation from the A/C evaporator, the condensation pools in large quantity on the passenger floorboard. This constitute a hazard for the electrical systems near it and a risk of corrosion not to mention potential toxic mold and basically the car self flooding. A few videos document the issue and it is due to bad design where the drain hose is oriented upward and/or the seal blocking water from penetrating the passenger cabin is cracked or falls away in time. Cars from 20+ years ago like my Dodge Durango would certainly experience a degradation of such a seal. The seal itself is very difficult to get to but the issue is pressing. This is an example of a video documenting the issue where the narrator describes this as bad design. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
Mileage: 110,000
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.
Mileage: 160,000
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.
Mileage: 226,000
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
Mileage: 11,400
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
Mileage: 11,400
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
Mileage: 11,400
THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL, HUB ASSEMBLY AXLE BEARING FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE OFF. COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUSLY DANAGED
Mileage: 157,000
THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL, HUB ASSEMBLY AXLE BEARING FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE OFF. COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUSLY DANAGED
Mileage: 157,000
THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL, HUB ASSEMBLY AXLE BEARING FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE OFF. COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUSLY DANAGED
Mileage: 157,000
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. I COULD BE WRONG BUT I'M PRETTY POSITIVE. NEEDS FIXING NOW!! THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE HOSES... THEY SEEM TO FAL
Mileage: 1
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. I COULD BE WRONG BUT I'M PRETTY POSITIVE. NEEDS FIXING NOW!! THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE HOSES... THEY SEEM TO FAL
Mileage: 1
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. I COULD BE WRONG BUT I'M PRETTY POSITIVE. NEEDS FIXING NOW!! THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE HOSES... THEY SEEM TO FAL
Mileage: 1
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.
Mileage: 164,297
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
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.
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.
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIRE
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.