2003 Dodge Durango Suspension Problems

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 VEHICLE TO LAKE CITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (4325 W US HWY 90, LAKE CITY, FL 32055, (386) 755-3444) TO VERIFY THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,297.

NHTSA ID

11288916

Incident

Nov 30, 2019

Mileage

164,297 mi

HUB OR BALL JOINTS

NHTSA ID

10917719

Incident

Sep 19, 2016

WE TOOK THE VEHICLE WAS TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TOP AND BOTTOM BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

10908177

Incident

Sep 20, 2016

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HUB WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E064000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID

10818076

Incident

Dec 15, 2015

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE HUB WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE ALIGNED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E064000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,700.

NHTSA ID

10808037

Incident

Dec 2, 2015

Mileage

219,700 mi

THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED A MANDATORY STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE BALL JOINT SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR AND WAS DEEMED UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID

10786606

Incident

Oct 27, 2015

Mileage

172,400 mi

BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND FAIL TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND WHEEL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPAIRED BUT THE WHEEL ARM WASN'T. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E064000(SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. JO

NHTSA ID

10786113

Incident

Jan 5, 2015

Mileage

180,000 mi

I HAVE HAD THESE PARTS REPLACED TWICE THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. DODGE HAS OR HAD A RECALL. BUT WHEN I WENT TO HAVE IT FIXED THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. IT'S A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOM AND KEEP UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON IT MYSELF. IF IT'S RECALLED I BELIEVE DODGE SHOULD HONOR ALL RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID

10640377

Incident

Oct 4, 2013

Mileage

110,000 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

I WAS HEARING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER THAT TOLD US THE ENTIRE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. APPARENTLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE AXLES THAT MAKE THE PINIONED, DIFFERENTIALS AND AXLES TO GO BAD. PAID 3500.00 FOR THE REPAIRS TO TURN AROUND AND HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN JUST OVER A YEAR LATER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522622

Incident

Feb 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING NOISE AND BECAME LOUDER AS VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS EMITTED THE SMOKE AND IT ALONG WITH THE FRONT HUB UNIT, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000....UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF UPDATED 05/16/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10496697

Incident

Feb 6, 2013

Mileage

113,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROGRESSION OF INACCURATE STEERING, POOR TURNING AND SUSPENSION PERFORMANCE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE NOTICING A "CLUNKING" IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. NOTED PRIMARILY WHEN TURNING. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO NOTED TO BE ROTATED OFF CENTER TO THE CLOCKWISE POSITION. BRAKING IS ALSO POOR AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO PULL TO PASSENGER SIDE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, VEHICLE IS NOTED TO FEEL UNSTABLE AND IS VIBRATING WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482550

Incident

Oct 18, 2011

NOISE IN WHEEL BEARINGS: HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS DUE TO BAD BEARINGS. WAS WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY AND WHEEL LOCKING UP. FINALLY GOT REPLACED AT ~89000 BUT STARTED ~82000 MILES AS WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY AND THEM LOCKING UP/FALLING OFF. THEN WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER JOINTS NEED REPLACING. POOR QUALITY FOR AMERICAN PRODUCTS AS VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD AND IN THE SOUTH WITH GOOD WEATHER. *KB

NHTSA ID

10446653

Incident

Apr 21, 2010

Mileage

82,000 mi

I HAVE NOTICE A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE FRONT RIGHT OF MY DURANGO FOR SOME APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. I RECENTLY BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE UPPER RIGHT BALL JOINT REPLACE. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON OTHER 2003 DURANGO, HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN (04V596000). THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO GO BEYOND THE CUT OFF FOR THE RECALL SINCE REVIEW OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATES NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10443225

Incident

Jan 9, 2012

Mileage

88,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10438937

Incident

Dec 6, 2011

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND NOTICED THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A FAILURE BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000, SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: UPPER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10436872

Incident

Oct 23, 2011

Mileage

160,000 mi

THERE IS A RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS ON THE 2003 DODGE DURANGO, BUT WHEN I CALLED DODGE MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. I AM HAVING MY BALL JOINTS REPLACED BY A REPAIR SHOP TODAY AS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE IN VERY BAD SHAPE AND I AM RISKING HAVING THEM SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE WHEEL FALLING OFF IN A HIGH SPEED SITUATION CAUSING A CRASH AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. I FEEL THAT IF THIS RECALL IS ONLY FOR SOME OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE THEN THEY SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE THEM ALL CALLED IN TO HAVE THE DEALER INSPECT THEM FOR SAFETY. IT IS GOING TO COST ALMOST $1000 FOR ME TO HAVE THIS REPAIR MADE. BUT THAT IS SMALL PRICE TO PAY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE HEARD THIS COMPLAINT FROM MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS AND REPAIR SHOPS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10423929

Incident

Aug 29, 2011

Mileage

74,100 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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH HE STRUCK A POTHOLE . SHORTLY AFTERWARDS HE HEARD A PECULIAR NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID

10293417

Incident

May 9, 2009

Mileage

69,000 mi

FRONT BALL JOINT MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. IN 2005 GOT A RECALL LETTER. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RECALL DIDN;T EFFECT MY VEHICLE. CALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NEXT YEAR TO SEE IF THE RECALL WAS ON MY VEHICLE YET. THE DEALER TOLD ME NO. VEHICLE KEPT MAKING CLUNKING NOISE. AT 100,00 MILES I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE WHEEL FEEL OF AT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT. TOW TRUCK COULDN'T TOW THE VEHICLE DUE TO BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN;T THEIR PROBLEM. I HAD TO HIRE A MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS IN MY DRIVEWAY. TIRES HAVE WORN TERRIBLE AND TRUCK KEPT COMING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I KEPT GOOD ROTATION ON THE TIRES BUT COULDN'T KEEP THE INSIDE FROM WEARING. I DO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269270

Incident

May 10, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

POWER STEERING RACK FAILED AT 73,000 MILES. UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE STEERING WOULD FAIL WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES!! PAID $900 TO HAVE REPAIRED. THIS WAS 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW THEY ARE SAYING OUR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE FAILING AND ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE BACK IN 2004. EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT OUR WHEEL WOULD FALL OFF IF WE DIDN'T HAVE IT FIXED. THAT SHOULD FALL UNDER THE CATEGORY OF THE RECALL FOR THE WHEEL HUB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253076

Incident

Dec 29, 2008

Mileage

73,000 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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND REPLACED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V596000 (SUSPENSION,FRONT,CONTROL ARM,UPPER BALL JOINT), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. HE WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 12/15/08.*LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10249344

Incident

Nov 19, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

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