Photo: Chase Blasser / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2003 Dodge Durango: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationAn average Durango year.
339 owner complaints, most about suspension. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Durango?The 2003 Dodge Durango has 339 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and electrical system. Owners most often flag weak/failing automatic transmission, including band failure and rebuild needs.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Dodge Durango vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Durango years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Durango?
Across the 27 Durango model years we track, complaint volume runs from 48 (2023) to 2,043 (1999). With 339 complaints, the 2003 Durango sits below the model's median of 436.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Durango
suspension:front:control arm:upper ball joint
Campaign 04V596000ON 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 NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
suspension:front:hub
Campaign 08E064000SKF 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 WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 06E024000CERTAIN 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, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
electrical system
Campaign 06V339000ON 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.
Show 2 more recalls
exterior lighting:headlights:switch
Campaign 02V322000ON 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.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Campaign 04V216000ON 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation Durango
Owner sentiment toward the 1998-2004 Durango is predominantly negative, with the most-upvoted comments warning against purchase and citing weak transmissions, poor fuel economy, and general reliability concerns.
- Very frequentWeak/failing automatic transmission, including band failure and rebuild needs
- Very frequentPoor fuel economy (commonly cited around 9-13 mpg)
- RecurrentBlend door actuator and HVAC vent/temperature control failures
- RecurrentDifferential problems after fluid change requiring limited-slip friction modifier
- RecurrentRough idle and crank/no-start issues traced to bad battery connections
Idle air control, or vacuum leaks.
Owner insights for the 1st generation Durango. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Durango listings typically run $17,400–$32,197.
Other Durango model years
Compare every Durango year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Durango against its rivals
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