2003 Dodge Durango Other / unspecified Problems

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 THE HELL OUT OF ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK BUT THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS THE TIRES LOOK GOOD

NHTSA ID

11341817

Incident

Jul 27, 2020

Mileage

11,400 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11322213

Incident

Apr 23, 2020

Mileage

157,000 mi

HUB OR BALL JOINTS

NHTSA ID

10917719

Incident

Sep 19, 2016

THE SPARE TIRE WINCH ON MY VEHICLE FAILED AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL TO THE PAVEMENT. IN MY CASE I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE ALMOST SURELY RESULTED. THE SPARE TIRE ON THESE VEHICLES IS QUITE LARGE AND HEAVY AND COULD CAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IF HIT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE SPARE TIRE WINCH USES A STRANDED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND LOCK THE SPARE TIRE UP AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLES FRAME. THIS STRANDED STEEL CABLE FAILED RIGHT WHERE IT PASSED THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE RIM. THIS STRANDED STEEL CABLE IS GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY ON EVERY DODGE TRUCK THAT USED THIS DESIGN OF WINCH. EVERYONE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. CHRYSLER HAS USED THIS DESIGN IN LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS SINCE THE 90S OR BEFORE. IT AMAZES ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR FATALITIES RESULTING FROM THE FAILURE OF THE WINCH. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED MANY INSTANCES OF THE SPARE TIRE FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CABLE FAILING.

NHTSA ID

10917445

Incident

Aug 7, 2016

Mileage

135,000 mi

TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF. 1260.00. *TR

NHTSA ID

10597482

Incident

May 9, 2014

Mileage

167,000 mi

2003 DODGE DURANGO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. *SMD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A FLAT BED AND DELIVERED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, HE WAS INFORMED THE AXLE HAD NO WAY TO LUBRICATE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND SO WHEN IT WAS DRY, IT SEVERED ITSELF FROM THE FRONT END.

NHTSA ID

10550187

Incident

Jul 9, 2013

HIT A SEVERE BUMP IN ROAD WHICH BROKE THE STEEL CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE CAR BODY. CABLE WAS LIKELY CORRODED. TIRE DISCHARGED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, STRUCK PAVEMENT, AND BOUNCED 15-20 FEET INTO THE AIR REPEATEDLY NEARLY STRIKING THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME. LUCKILY TIRE ENDED UP IN DITCH BEFORE CAUSING ACCIDENT. RETAINING CLAMP IS LOST. SUSPECT THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS SITUATION EXISTS WITH ANY DURANGO OR DAKOTA OF THIS VINTAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10543003

Incident

Sep 10, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

1. THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKLIGHTS, FOGLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, DOOR LOCK SWITCH, 4WD, KEY FOB, OR INTERMEDIATE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOW SPEED AND NOT IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. 2. IT ONLY OCCURRED ONE TIME, BUT WHAT IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE ROADWAY. 3. THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) WAS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327785

Incident

Apr 25, 2010

Mileage

86,500 mi

I HAVE CONTACTED THE DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE ONLY FOR MY VEHICLE IS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE ONLY RECALLS AND DEFECTS AS WELL. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THAT WILL CAUSE A CRASH AND THE IDLING OF THE ENGINE WHILE IN PARK AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY KIDS WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO. I AM LEASING THIS VEHICLE I FEEL LIKE I'M PAYING FOR A LEMON. I CAN'T ENJOY LIFE WITH MY KIDS THEY ARE THE MAIN REASON I GOT A TRUCK IN THE FIRST PLACE. HELP PLEASE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327170

Incident

Dec 21, 2009

Mileage

102,000 mi

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. IT CUTS OFF ON ME IF I GET IN THE HIGHWAY SO EMBARRASSING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS I ONLY CAN TAKE OFF SLOW. WHICH CAUSES ME TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND NOT GET BACK ON. I HAD BOUGHT A CAR VACUUM AND IT STATED SMOKING ON ME, I WAS USING THE SOCKET IN THE ARM REST. I HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS WHEN I USE THE A/C OR HEAT IT CUTS OFF ON ME AND IT STALLS TO TAKE OFF,IT'S SCARY FOR ME AND MY KIDS. IT RAMS BY IT'S SELF AND IT ACTS AS IF IT'S GONE CUT OFF AND MOST OF THE TIME IT DO. IT MAKE THIS PUTTING SOUNDS WHEN IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF OR EVEN WHEN IT STOPS ON ME. THE DEALER REPLACE THE CADILLAC CONVERTER AND MY OXYGEN SENSORS. I ALSO GOT A TUNE UP AND TWO OF THE FUEL INJECTORS REPLACE NEW PARTS, THAT I PAID FOR MYSELF. IT FEELS LIKE MY FRONT SUSPENSION IS MESSED UP I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED AND THEY ARE NOT BAD, BUT YOU CAN FEEL IT WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10326938

Incident

Sep 21, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

I NOTICED MY TIRES WERE NOT WEARING EVENLY AND I FELT AND HEARD A "CLUNK" NOISE EVERY TIME I BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND SAID THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS OF THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHEELS OF MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO MUST BE REPLACED. I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS FOR ALL PREVIOUS YEAR DURANGOS BUT NOT THE 2003??? THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR MY REPLACEMENT. I REPLACED THE LEFT SIDE AS THEY WERE ACTUALLY BROKE, MY RIGHT SIDE STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ARE LOOSE AND NEAR FAILURE. I REQUEST THAT DODGE REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR AS WELL AS REPLACE FOR FREE THE RIGHT SIDE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TWO NEW TIRES AS THEY NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE UNEVEN WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10252315

Incident

Nov 7, 2008

Mileage

62,899 mi

2003 DODGE DURANGO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LUG NUTS STAMPED STAINLESS COVER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHREDDED. ALL OF THE LUG NUTS CAME OFF, EXCEPT ONE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE LUG WRENCH, TO BREAK IT LOOSE, THE STAMPED STAINLESS DECORATIVE CAP TWISTED OFF. HE WAS UNABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO PLACE, SO THAT THE 19MM LUG WRENCH WOULD WORK. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL OF THE LUG NUTS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10245948

Incident

Sep 12, 2008

2003 DODGE DURANGO WAS PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN WICKLIFFE,OH IN APRIL OF 08. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP NEEDING TO BE SERVICED IN EXCESS OF 7 TIMES, FROM THE BUSHINGS BEING REPLACED TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMING ON WITH THE DEALERSHIPS INABILITY TO FIX IT . I HAVE BEEN IN A RENTAL CAR MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS AN EVAP CODE AS THEY SO ELOQUENTLY STATED SO THEY ALLEGEDLY FIXED THAT ONLY TO FIND THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL CONTINUALLY COMES ON. EVERY TIME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY RESOLVED, I WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN 2 TO 3 DAYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE MANAGEMENT THERE STATED AND ADMITTED THAT THEY SIMPLY CAN'T FIX THE VEHICLE THEREFORE THEY ARE GOING TO GET ME OUT OF IT SO THEY EVEN HAD ME TO PICK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH THEY SAID WOULD FIT PERFECTLY AND SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE PAYMENT THAT I HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW. I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT GETTING THIS REPLACEMENT VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 MONTHS WITH NO RESULT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HITTING A BUMP BECAUSE IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT END IS GOING IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. MY WIFE WONT DRIVE IT, WE ARE SCARED TO PUT OUR KIDS INTO IT AND I NEED YOUR HELP RIGHT AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245072

Incident

Apr 20, 2008

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS METAL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD COMPONENTS IN IT THAT CAME APART AND SHATTERED THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED THE MECHANIC STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AND I BELIEVE I CAN GET THE OLD PARTS

NHTSA ID

10125583

Incident

Jun 6, 2005

Mileage

36,199 mi

DT: WHEELS- ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEELS, THEY WERE CLANKING AND MAKING NOISE ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE NOISE STARTED TO GET LOUDER. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE BOLTS WERE ACTUALLY COMING APART ON BOTH TIRES ON THE ROCKER ARMS. CONSUMER HAD THE WHEELS REPAIRED. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS IN MOVING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND WITH THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS A PUNCTURE IN THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING GAS EVERYWHERE. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED TO THE OWNER, THAT SHE MAY HAVE PUNCTURED THE GAS TANK WHILE DRIVING. THE DURANGO IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN AWAITING THE SECOND REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ID

10124474

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

I CURRENTY OWN A 2003 DODGE DURANGO, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN NOV 2003. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TROUBLE FROM DAY 1. I'VE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACE 3 TIMES, DUE TO PULSATING AND PULLING FROM THE FRONT END. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR CLICKING & POPPING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHICH DEALER CLAIMED ON BOTH OCCASSIONS THEY COULD NOT FIND. DEALER KEEPS STATING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, WHEN IT COMES TO BRAKES WHICH I DON'T COMPREHEND SINCE I'VE OWNED NEW VEH BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. I'VE PAID FOR 2 HIGH SPEED WHEEL BALANCES, AND THE DEALER HAD THE NERVE TO THREATEN ME WITH THE FACT THAT IF VEHICLE WAS RETURNED AGAIN FOR BRAKES I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. ALSO RECENTLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOUD NOT COME ON OR SHUT OFF ON COMMAND. OFCOURSE AT THE TIME I NEEDED THEM TO VISUALLY SEE THE ROAD SINCE IT WAS RAINING. I CLICKED ON MY RIGHT SIGNAL IN ORDER TO GET OFF THE ROAD ONCE I SAW THE MALFUNCTION OCCURING ONLY TO HAVE THE WINDHSHIELD WIPERS MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO START WORKING. I'VE KEPT A LOG OF EVERY REPAIR SHOP VISIT AND LACK OF REPAIR FINDING BASED ON DEALER ENDS. CHRSYLER NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE I'VE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

10123686

Incident

May 27, 2005

WHEN DRIVING MY 2003 DURANGO AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE LOCKING UP AND THE TRUCK BEGINS SHAKING BADLY. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HEARING STRANGE NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT RIGHT TIRE WELL. ALSO, MY GLOVEBOX STARTED HANGING DOWN AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT THEY CHARGED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. WE DON'T USE THE GLOVE BOX, SO THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY MISUSE. AT 20,000 MILES THE WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART.*AK

NHTSA ID

10102590

Incident

Dec 3, 2004

Mileage

15,000 mi

THE FRONT TIRE ON MY DODGE DURANGO IS MESSED UP. IT GETS STUCK SOMETIMES WHEN I'M TRYING TO TURN. THE SHOP THAT I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THE BALL JOINT IN THE FRONT TIRE IS BAD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF A LOT OF DURANGOS THAT WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT MY TIRES ARE BEING WORN DOWN BECAUSE OF THE TURN OF THE WHEEL. I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES ALSO. IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THE THINGS I HAD TO HAVE DONE. I SAW A WEBSITE ABOUT IT SO I DECIDED TO REPORT MINE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. PLEASE RECALL THESE VEHICLES SO THE WORLD WON'T LOSE ANY OF IT'S PRECIOUS LIFE. MY KIDS LIVES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PART IN MY CAR. PLEASE CONSIDER THE FACTS ABOUT TAKING HUGE RISKS BY NOT GETTING ALL THESE DURANGOS FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10102587

Incident

Oct 29, 2004

Mileage

18,000 mi

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BALLJOINTS ON MY 2003 DODGE DURANGO AND THEY FIX IT. BUT THEY DIDNT FIX MY TIRE STUD . WHEN THE BALLJOINT CAME APART THE WHOLE TIRE CAME OFF AND BROKE MY STUDS AND I TOLD THEM AND THEY DIDNT FIX IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10098246

Incident

Aug 24, 2004

UNRESOLVED COLLAPSING GAS TANK, GAUGE STICKS READING THREE-QUARTERS OF A TANK OF FULL, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH GAS IS ADDED TO THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS LOCK OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY FROM TIME TO TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID

10096458

Incident

Aug 25, 2004

Mileage

18,306 mi

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

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DURANGO WITH ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THE CENTER CAP ON THE WHEEL IS COMING OFF WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEBODY WAS STEALING THEM BUT I NOW KNOW THAT ISN'T TRUE. AFTER I LOST TWO OF THEM I DECIDED TO CHECK THEM EVERY TIME I GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. YESTERDAY I HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, SO BEFORE I GOT INTO THE CAR I LOOKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TWO CENTER CAPS THAT WERE LEFT WAS STILL IN THEIR PLACES OF WHICH THEY WERE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DOCTOR I CHECKED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS MISSING ONE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. I DID NOT STOP ANYWHERE SO I KNOW THAT IT HAD TO COME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I ALSO CALLED THE DEALER PARTS PERSON TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAD REPLACEMENTS AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS BEEN HAVING A RUN ON THEM AND THAT EITHER SOMEBODY MUST BE COLLECTING THEM OR THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. I KNOW THAT SOMEBODY WILL GET HURT BADLY IF THEY GET HIT BY ONE OF THESE, ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON IS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE AND AM HOPING THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP ME OUT. THANKYOU, LARRY OCCHIPINTI ([email protected]) . *AK

NHTSA ID

10086338

Incident

Aug 5, 2004

Mileage

29,500 mi

MY COMPLAINT IS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. LESS THAN 13,000 MILES AND BALL JOINTS, ARM CONTROLS, BRAKES, SWAY ARMS ARE GOING OUT. LAST WEEK WAS THE 2ND TIME JOINTS WERE REPLACED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THIS. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. I FEEL AS THOUGH VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. ESPECIALLY WITH MY 11 YR. OLD DAUGHTER AND 2 YR. OLD SON. IN AND OUT OF DEALER SERVICE DEPT IS WEARING ME THIN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10075117

Incident

Jun 2, 2004