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2003 Dodge Durango Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Nov 11, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 339 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
9

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Dodge Durango submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsEngine
Filed Nov 11, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11150803
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jan 15, 2018
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

TAKATA RECALL SAID VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT IMPROPERLY PULLED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THEREWAS A DISABLING ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND BURNED,PARTIALLY, THERE IS A POLICE REPORT AS WELL AS MEDICAL AND PHOTO DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ID
11062838
Incident
Aug 3, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 17, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED DOWN INTO AN EMBANKMENT, STRUCK TWO SMALL TREES, AND COLLIDED WITH A LARGER TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10978822
Incident
Apr 7, 2017
Mileage
85,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 15, 2016

I HAVE AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH, TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT IS A SEAT BELT TENSIONER HE HAS TRIED FOR TWO WEEKS TO OBTAIN THIS PART AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A NATION WIDE BACK ORDER ON THIS ITEM. IT WILL TAKE TWO OR MORE WEEKS TO BE SHIPPED. SOUNDS LIKE IT AFFECTS A LOT OF DURANGOS AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL?

NHTSA ID
10874380
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
75,400 mi
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Oct 20, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HAVE HAD 3 WRECKS . 2 I HIT DEER HEAD ON THE LAST, MY BRAKES FAILED STEERING FAILED AS I SKID AND I HIT A TREE IN FEB 2013. AT NO TIME DID MY AIRBAGS INFLATE. I WORE MY SEAT BELT ON ALL 3 OCCASIONS NOT INJURED EXCEPT LOWER BACK PAIN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648946
Incident
May 6, 2009
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2013

2003 DODGE DURANGO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE CONCERNS. *SMD THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $519.77.

NHTSA ID
10521330
Incident
Jun 3, 2013
Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN HE SWERVED IN AN ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A PATCH OF ICE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER TWICE BEFORE LANDING ON THE ROOF WITH THE WHEELS IN THE AIR. ALL OF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, BACK AND LEFT KNEE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10499581
Incident
Feb 13, 2013
Mileage
55,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance
Filed Aug 21, 2012
Crash reported

AFTER COMING TO A STOP, I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK. WHILE EXITING, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING CAUSING IT TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO AN APARTMENT THAT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT MUCH WORST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471723
Incident
Aug 18, 2012
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 19, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE FRONT-END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THE VEHICLE DECELERATING IN A IMPROPER MANNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140000.

NHTSA ID
10288933
Incident
Dec 22, 2008
Mileage
112,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWNHILL ON A WET ROAD, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS 40 MPH INTO A SKID. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S KNEES WERE SLAMMED INTO THE CONSOLE AND WERE SORE. SIX VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN THE CHAIN REACTION CRASH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER 08041580 WAS FILED. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10223382
Incident
Mar 28, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 8, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I BOUGHT A 2003 DURANGO FOR MY DAUGHTER IN APRIL, 2004 FROM HERTZ CAR SALES. LAST SATURDAY MORNING SHE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR AND SHE HIT A LIGHT POLE. I WOULD GUESS THAT THEY HIT AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT STOPPED THE CAR PRETTY SUDDENLY. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT, BUT THE OTHER TWO WEREN'T. THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SIDE ALMOST BROKE THRU THE WINDSHIELD. HE HAD A CONCUSSION, NEEDED STITCHES AND BROKE HIS HIP ON THE DASH. I EXPECT THAT TO BE THE GREATEST LIABILITY. THE BUMPER IS BENT WAY BACK. THE REPAIR IS IN EXCESS OF $10K, BUT MY DAUGHTER IS AFRAID THE AIRBAGS DON'T EVEN WORK. WHAT CAN WE DO? *JB

NHTSA ID
10102347
Incident
Dec 4, 2004
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2004
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS INVOLED IN FRONTAL COLLISION WHEN AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10099812
Incident
Oct 2, 2004
Airbags
Filed Nov 1, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID A DISABLE CAR IN THE MIDDLE LANE, SPUN IN A FULL CIRCLE AND THE AIR BAG HAD NO FRONT SENSORS TO DEPLOY THE BAG. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PAID ADDITIONAL MONEY TO HAVE SIDE AIR BAGS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO SIDE AIR BAGS, THE TECHNICIAN ALSO FOUND THERE WERE NO FRONT SENSORS IN THE VEHICLE TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10099457
Incident
Aug 8, 2004
AirbagsOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 24, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE FRONT AND SIDE CURTIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT ON 8/8/04 I WAS THE PASSENGER IN A 2003 DODGE DURANGO R/T IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AT ABOUT 6 PM. THE DRIVER DIVERTED THE CAR FROM A REAR END CULISION WITH A DISABLED OUT THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE #2 LANE 0F THE 101 EAST WHEN THE DRIVER AVOIDED HIT THE CAR. THE DURANGO WENT IN TO A CIRCUL SERVIED TO THE RIGHTT MISSING THE STOPED CAR, THEN AT A RATE OF SPEED APX. 60 TO 65 MPH OUR DURANGO COLLIDED WITH THE CENTER DIVIDER ON THE EAST BOUND 101 FREEWAY HEAD ON WITH IMPACT THAT CAUSED MAJOR FRAME DAMAGE TO THE SUV AND SENDING US IN TO ON COMMING TRAFFIC. THE SUV AT THAT POINT CAME TO STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE EAST 101WITHOUT HAVING HIT ANYOTHER CARS. PON THE SUV BE TOWED INTO THE AUTO BODY SHOP, CYNTHIA COHAN AND I RELIAZED ALONG WITH THE BODY SHOP OWNER THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY NOR DID THE SIDE AIR BAG CURTIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10096294
Incident
Aug 8, 2004
Airbags
Filed Oct 24, 2003
Crash reported

A DEER WAS RUNNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE DRIVER HIT THE DEER, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES. *AK LUG NUTS HOLDING TIRES BROKE, RESULTING IN LOST OF TIRES. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10039786
Incident
Sep 11, 2003
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2003

THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM RECALL NUMBER B32 RELATED TO THE SENSOR MODULE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SERVICE MANAGER MATT BARTOLO FILE NUMBER 11214898). *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018024
Incident
May 1, 2003

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .