The Lemon Index2003 Dodge Durango.
The 2003 Dodge Durango is worse than average by owner complaints: 150 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 171, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 13 to 15 mpg combined. The best Dodge Durango year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 339 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Durango year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 100K miles on the car (240 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 17K–88K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 55K–130K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 24K–96K miles
Recalls 6
- suspension 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO.
- electrical 2006
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.
- engine 2006
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- suspension 2004
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…
- visibility 2004
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 …
- lights 2002
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle under-seat fire2006
- ClosedFire under the driver's seat2006
- ClosedUpper ball joint separation2003–2005
- ClosedFront susp. upper ball joint failure2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The consumer took the vehicle in for routine maintenance. The mechanic informed the consumer that the left and right upper and lower ball joint needed replacement due to corrosion. Please fill in additional information.
2003 Dodge Durango owner · NHTSA complaint 10107504
More owner reports
Occasional driving of vehicle transporting a toddler and an infant.
NHTSA complaint 10102568
Consumer request information regarding status of upper ball joints investigation on 2003 Durango.
NHTSA complaint 10087072
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Dodge Durango reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 171; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Durango year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Durango problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (45%), brakes (18%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?
6 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Durango get?
13 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Durango problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 21,000 and 100,800 miles. The middle report was at 62,900 miles, from 240 complaints.
Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Dodge Durango cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Dodge Durango have?
4.7L 8-cyl, 5.9L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Durango year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2022 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works