2003 Dodge Durango Reliability
The 2003 Dodge Durango has 339 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about suspension and electrical system. Compared with nearby Durango model years (2001–2005), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Durango's typical year, while the 2005 drew 1,567 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
339
NHTSA owner complaints
6
Recall campaigns
29
Complaints citing a crash
18
Complaints citing a fire
2003 Dodge Durango complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 model year, filed between 2002 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 91 | 27% |
| Electrical system | 57 | 17% |
| Engine & cooling | 40 | 12% |
| Exterior lighting | 39 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 32 | 9% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 24 | 7% |
| Visibility / wipers | 24 | 7% |
| Steering | 20 | 6% |
2003 Dodge Durango recalls
6 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2003 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02V322000 | Dec 2, 2002 | Exterior lighting — headlights / switch | 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. |
| 04V216000 | May 5, 2004 | Visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer | 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. |
| 04V596000 | Dec 21, 2004 | Suspension — front / control arm / upper ball joint | 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… |
| 06E024000 | Mar 15, 2006 | Engine & cooling | 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). All kits… |
| 06V339000 | Sep 7, 2006 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 08E064000 | Oct 20, 2008 | Suspension — front / hub | Skf 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… |
How the 2003 compares with nearby Durango years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Durango analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 665 | 7 | Suspension | Caution |
| 2002 | 434 | 6 | Suspension | Solid |
| 2003 (this page) | 339 | 6 | Suspension | Solid |
| 2004 | 1,115 | 9 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2005 | 1,567 | 9 | Fuel system | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2003 Dodge Durango
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 6 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2003 Dodge Durango can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2003 Dodge Durango reliability FAQ
Is the 2003 Dodge Durango reliable?
The 2003 Dodge Durango has 339 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about suspension and electrical system. Compared with nearby Durango model years (2001–2005), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Durango's typical year, while the 2005 drew 1,567 complaints.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Durango problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Durango are suspension (91), electrical system (57), engine & cooling (40), exterior lighting (39). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2003 Dodge Durango, including 02V322000 (exterior lighting — headlights / switch) and 04V216000 (visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2003 Dodge Durango compare with the 2002 and 2004 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2002 has 434 complaints and 6 recalls (solid); the 2004 has 1,115 complaints and 9 recalls (avoid). The 2003 has 339 complaints and 6 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2003 Dodge Durango?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Dodge Durango research
Other Dodge Durango model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2003 Durango, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.