2003 Dodge Durango Tires & wheels Problems

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

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

FOUND A FLAT TIRE THIS MORNING AND NOTICED THAT THE FLAT WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WALL SEPARATING FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE MY SUV ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL 4 OF THE TIRES ARE DOING THIS ON AN EVEN SEAM AROUND THE ENTIRE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2002. THE TIRES ARE PRACTICALLY NEW DUE TO THE ABOUT OF TREAD LEFT ON THEM. I FEEL THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE TIRES COULD FAIL AT ANY MOMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10244050

Incident

Sep 30, 2008

Mileage

32,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTF, SIZE P26570R16 TIRES. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE WAS EXTREMELY LOW AT 32 PSI. SHE ALSO NOTICED DARK CIRCLES AROUND THE TIRES WHERE THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND THE SIDEWALL WAS SPLITTING. SHE HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE FOUR YEARS OLD, THE TREAD LIFE EXPIRED AND THE TIRES WOULD NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

NHTSA ID

10207953

Incident

Oct 28, 2007

Mileage

63,000 mi

TREAD AND WALL SEPARATION ON WRANGLER RTS APROX. 1.5 INCHES FROM TREAD TOP WITH 3/4 TREAD STILL LEFT. COULD SEE PERFECT RING AROUND THE WALL WERE IT WAS SEPARATING AND LEAKING AIR. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACE WITH AN ARGUMENT FROM SEARS BUT WAS REPLACED WITH SAME STYLE AND HAD TO PAY DIFFERENCE IN TREAD WEAR. I AM NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH THESE WITH ONLY 15000 MILE ON THEM. 1 HAS ALREADY SHREDED ON 495 DOING 65 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ID

10198549

Incident

Dec 1, 2006

Mileage

80,900 mi

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. IN DEC. 2006 THE ORIGINAL TIRES WALLS STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM THE TREAD TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS A COMPLETE RING AROUND THE TIRE SHOWING THE TREADS. I HAD TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE OF TREAD WEAR TO REPLACE THE TIRES AFTER ARGUING WITH A GOODYEAR DEALER. ON AUG. 3 2007, I WAS RIDING ON 495 DOING THE 65 MILE SPEED LIMIT WHEN THE TIRE STARTED TO BUBBLE, SMOKE AND THEN PROCEED TO SHRED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHO STARTED TO REFUSE TO REPLACE THE TIRE AT THEIR COST BECAUSE HE SAID THE REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME RECALLED/DEFECTIVE TIRE. I NOW HAVE 5 TIRES THAT ARE STARTING TO HAVE LITTLE BLISTERS ALL OVER THE WALL OF THE TIRES. I AM IN NO POSITION TO PAY TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH ANOTHER KIND OR BRAND. I WANT THESE TIRES REPLACED WITH SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO KILL US ONE DAY. OR GIVE ME THE MONEY TO BUY A DIFFERENT BRAND. *JB

NHTSA ID

10198485

Incident

Aug 3, 2007

Mileage

80,900 mi

2003 DURANGO CUSTOMER STATES THAT SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, IT SHIFTED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW WHILE DRIVING**CC THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4 SEPARATE TIMES FOR REPAIR AND THE LAST TIME THEY WERE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED.*TR

NHTSA ID

10192132

Incident

May 1, 2007

MY WIFE HAD OUR 2003 DURANGO IN TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER FOR SERVICE ONE MORNING A FEW WEEKS AGO, SINCE IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND WAS STEERING FUNNY AND VIBRATING/CLUNKING. THEY TOLD HER IT WAS STILL UNDER WARANTY AND A PART WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED (TRANSFER MODULE) FOR THE CONTROL OF IT BUT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE TILL IT CAME IN AND COULD BE REPLACED. NONE WERE AVAILABLE AND CLEVELAND SHOWEDED THEM ON BACK-ORDER. MY WIFE DROVE TO OIL CITY, PA TO PICK UP PARTS FOR ME AND IT CAUGHT FIRE ON THE WAY ( SHE HAD TALKED TO THE DEALER A FEW MINUTES EARLIER ON HER CELL PHONE AS THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE AND THEY ASSURED HER IT WAS OK). SHE HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL 911. THE FIRE AND POLICE WERE QUICK IN RESPONDING AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT AFTER A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. NOW THE DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY WIFE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10182264

Incident

Jan 24, 2007

Mileage

42,000 mi

THE CENTER WHEEL CAPS COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAPS DO NOT FIT TIGHT ON THE WHEELS. I CAN REMOVE THE CAPS EASILY ONLY USING MY FINGERS.

NHTSA ID

10145406

Incident

Dec 12, 2005

Mileage

55 mi

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF COMPLETION MY 1ST TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DEALER (CLEAR LAKE DODGE, HOUSTON, TEXAS) REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE. AT APPROXIMATELY 12K ON A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MY YOUNGEST SON SUFFERS FROM ASTHMA AND HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK ON I-10 TO NEW ORLEANS. I CALMED HIM DOWN WITH NO MEDICATION (NEBULIZER REQUIRES ELECTRICITY). WHEN I RETURNED TO HOUSTON, I CONTACTED DISCOUNT TIRE WHICH WARRANTIES GOODYEAR TIRES AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD JUMPED A CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY TIRES. I PURCHASED MY 3RD TIRE ALONG WITH ROAD HAZARD BECAUSE ALL REPRESENTATIVES BLAMED MY DRIVING HABITS ON ME, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS OVER 50K MILES AND ALL OF MY TIRES ARE WEARING. THE BELT IS SHOWING ON ALL 4 TIRES. I AM SEEKING ARBITRATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10131635

Incident

Aug 4, 2003

Mileage

9,000 mi

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

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

THE REAR PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10096832

Incident

Oct 13, 2004

Mileage

19,661 mi

I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT TIRE WAS LOOSING IT WAS TREAD. I THOUGHT THAT I COULD JUST TAKE IT IN FOR A WHEEL ALLIGNMENT, BUT THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS A WORN OUT UPPER BALL JOINT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $800.00 TO FIX IT. I AM OVER ON MY WARRANTY BY 1000 MILES AND WHEN I CALL DAIMLERCHRYSLER THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A PENDING INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER, BUT DO NOT OFFER ANY INFORAMTAION. I THEN NOTICED ON THE INTERNET WHERE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND SO MANY OF US OWNERS OF THE DODGE DURANGO THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL INTO THIS MATTER. BALL JOINT PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM UNTIL 100,000 MILES AT LEAST.*AK

NHTSA ID

10081204

Incident

Jul 16, 2004

Mileage

38,000 mi

THE SPARE TIRE WAS SMALLER THAN THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. *PH *TT *JB

NHTSA ID

10057275

WHILE DRIVING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND HIT THE BRAKE LINE. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10052020

Incident

Dec 25, 2003

Mileage

9,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX, LT265/75R16, DOT VNW81XY1402. *AK

NHTSA ID

10038048

Incident

Sep 2, 2003