Is the 2003 Dodge Durango a bad year?
338 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Durango years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Dodge Durango are in line with other Durango years. Suspension stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Durango owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 41,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 91 (27%) | 17k–86k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 46 (14%) | 35k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 32 (9%) | 16k–64k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 24 (7%) | 39k–131k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 24 (7%) | 32k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 17 (5%) | 12k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 13 (4%) | 25k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (2%) | 8k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 57 (17%) | 60k–130k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 38 (11%) | 70k–119k miles · ahead | — |
| Steering | 20 (6%) | 47k–110k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 16 (5%) | 72k–150k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (2%) | 49k–123k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 6 (2%) | 51k–122k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 41,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 338 complaints: 29 mention a crash · 18 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Front suspension - drive train - locks - axle - power steering pump vehicle has had consistent front end grinding noise since 30,000 km's.
I own a 2003 Dodge durango, and have always provided proper maintenance for the vehicle - oil changes, tune-up etc.
I have to stop far away from a vehicle fear of running in the back of their vehicle. It doesn't seem to want to stop sometime, this has been happening for awhile now alot recently.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 41,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Dodge Durango: 6
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. Improper seating of the wheel can result in excessive vibration, brake rotor noise, difficulty removing the wheel after installation and operation of the vehicle, and possibly wheel-end separation during vehicle operation.
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. This may allow development of a high resistive short circuit in the connector, which could eventually lead to a fire.
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). A jammed open throttle could cause unintended acceleration of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash or increased stoping distances when braking.
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. Excessive wear in the upper ball joint may allow it to separate, which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
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. Driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
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. If the lights fail, a visibility problem could occur, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 16
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Dodge Durango. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Vehicle under-seat fire
Fire under the driver's seat
Upper ball joint separation
Front susp. Upper ball joint failure
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2002 Durango: 423 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2004 Durango: 1,115 complaints, consider selling.
Every Dodge Durango year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Durango years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Durango a bad year?
338 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Durango years. At 41,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Durango?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (91), engine (46), brakes (32), transmission and drivetrain (24), visibility and wipers (24).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 08E064000), Electrical system (NHTSA 06V-339), Engine (NHTSA 06E024000), Suspension (NHTSA 04V-596) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.