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Dodge Durango 2003

The 2003 Dodge Durango came with 2 engines: 4.7 L 8-cylinder, 5.9 L 8-cylinder. It gets 13 to 15 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA. 6 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD AWD
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Dodge Durango
Representative photo of the Durango. It may show a different year or version. Photo: Kidfly182 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
4,700 cc
8
Cylinders8
TransmissionAutomatic · 5 speeds
DrivetrainAWD
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,920 × 1,820 × 1,830 mm (193.7 × 71.7 × 72.0 in)
Wheelbase2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Curb weight2,122 kg (4,678 lb)
Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Dimensions and weight: median of the 2 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Dodge Durango 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
13 MPG
Highway
17 MPG
Combined
14 MPG
Emissions
394 g/km
COâ‚‚

By version

EngineTransmissionDrivetrainCityHighwayCombined
4.7 L 8-cylinder Automatic · 5 speeds AWD 13 MPG 17 MPG 14 MPG
4.7 L 8-cylinder Automatic · 5 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 13 MPG 18 MPG 15 MPG
5.9 L 8-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds AWD 11 MPG 16 MPG 13 MPG
5.9 L 8-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 12 MPG 17 MPG 13 MPG

EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.

Recalls

6 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB 08E064000 · 2008-10-20 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 06V339000 · 2006-09-07 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 06E024000 · 2006-03-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.

K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT 04V596000 · 2004-12-21 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER 04V216000 · 2004-05-05 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH 02V322000 · 2002-12-02 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

4 campaigns🇨🇦 CA dataTransport Canada

It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.

Electrical 2006217 · 2006-09-08 · Transport Canada
Details

Certain vehicles equipped with a bench front seat may experience a short circuit in an unused console power outlet connector if liquid is spilled from the floor mounted cup holder. This could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will clean the connector and cap it to prevent contamination.

Suspension 2004439 · 2004-12-20 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain four wheel drive vehicles, 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 progressively over an extended period of time. A worn upper ball joint could separate, causing a loss of vehicle control which may result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the upper ball joints with a revised assembly having improved sealing integrity. Two wheel drive models will be covered by an extended warranty of 10 years or 160,000 kms.

Other 2004155 · 2004-05-06 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the windshield wiper motor assembly may become susceptible to water intrusion that could cause internal corrosion and result in partial or complete loss of front windshield wiping capability. Correction: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor with a revised version that contains a water shield.

Lights And Instruments 2002240 · 2002-12-16 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the right headlight may become inoperative due to an improperly sized circuit board trace in the central timer module. Correction: Dealers will replace the central timer module.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

SEAT BELTS 2026-07-18 · NHTSA

The seatbelt is locking up and won't pull out for the driver and the front passenger.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,ENGINE 2025-07-14 · NHTSA

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 manuf…

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2024-07-23 · NHTSA

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2022-03-14 · NHTSA

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 …

POWER TRAIN 2020-12-10 · NHTSA

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 CAPITA…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2020-12-04 · NHTSA

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.…

WHEELS,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2020-07-28 · NHTSA

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 T…

STRUCTURE,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES 2020-04-24 · NHTSA

THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL, HUB ASSEMBLY AXLE BEARING FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE OFF. COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUSLY DANAGED

SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 2020-01-08 · NHTSA

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 O…

SUSPENSION 2019-12-13 · NHTSA

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 VEHICL…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2019-11-20 · NHTSA

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 BAGS,ENGINE 2018-11-11 · NHTSA

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.

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?
The 2003 Dodge Durango came with 2 engines: 4.7 L 8-cylinder, 5.9 L 8-cylinder.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Dodge Durango?
It gets 13 to 15 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have recalls?
6 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Suspension (2008-10-20).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Dodge Durango?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Suspension.

Other years

Which Dodge Durango year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Other models by Dodge

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