2003 Dodge Durango problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint (41) · Electrical System (22) · Suspension (16)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Durango model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
240 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (50)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100645 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Power Train 2024-10-30 · 101232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
plate - planetary
Power Train 2021-02-22 · 9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
Equipment 2021-02-22 · 9001784 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Showing the 6 most recent of 50 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-18 · Seat Belts“the seatbelt is locking up and won't pull out for the driver and the front passenger. …”
2025-07-14 · Structure:body“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 numb…”
2024-07-23 · Unknown Or Other“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 vide…”
2022-03-14 · Electrical System · 110,000 mi“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…”
2020-12-10 · Power Train · 160,000 mi“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…”
2020-12-04 · Electrical System · 226,000 mi“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 n…”
2020-07-28 · Wheels · 11,400 mi“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 dr…”
2020-04-24 · Wheels · 157,000 mi“the drivers side wheel, hub assembly axle bearing front suspension broke off. completely broke off. extremely dangerous and seriously danaged…”
2020-01-08 · Unknown Or Other · 1 mi“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. grant…”
2019-12-13 · Suspension · 164,297 mi“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 j…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.