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2003 Dodge DurangoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 339 owner complaints about the 2003 Dodge Durango, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2003 Dodge Durango
56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year23% below the Durango median · #14 of 26 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints33963 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage41kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Chase Blasser, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Dodge Durango has problems

339 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension919
Electrical system579
Engine and engine cooling404
Exterior lighting390
Service brakes, hydraulic262
Power train242
Visibility222
Steering203
Air bags1612
21 other systems11913

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2003 Dodge Durango recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 06V-339 · Sep 7, 2006 · 35,103 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: upper ball joint

Recall 04V-596 · Dec 21, 2004 · 592,707 vehicles

Risk. EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 02V-322 · Dec 2, 2002 · 3,640 vehicles

Risk. IF THE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

41kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 55 suspension complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
21under 30k miles42under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Durango year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Durango median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Dodge Durango safety ratings

2003 Dodge Durango 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Dodge Durango frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Dodge Durango, and the recalls they led to.

  1. UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATIONEA03023 · closed Feb 11, 2005
    Led to recall 04V-596
  2. VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIREEA06011 · closed Sep 22, 2006
    No recall
  3. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
  4. FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILUREPE03032 · closed Nov 19, 2003
    No recall
  5. FIRE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEATPE06008 · closed Jun 19, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-339
In owners' words

What Durango owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11288916 · Dec 13, 2019 · 164,297 miles
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.
Complaint 10908177 · Sep 20, 2016 · 140,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HUB WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:…
Complaint 10818076 · Jan 5, 2016 · 104,000 miles

Own a 2003 Durango?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.