Front suspension - drive train - locks - axle - power steering pump vehicle has had consistent front end grinding noise since 30,000 km's. Ball joints have been replaced, front axle spyder gears have been replaced. Previous 1998 durango had same problem - fix was front wheel bearings. 2003 durango - dealer says that it doesn't require replacement. Noise and grinding only happen at slow speed turns left or right. From stop to light acceleration to hard left or right turn, new noise from rear axle - limited slip unit now getting louder. Axle oil and limited slip additive have been replaced with factory chrysler oil additive. Indicative of same problem with 1998 durango that I had, when rear axle pinion bearing was heavily scored. In that incident the same maintenance was done, but repair was out of warranty by 3,000 km's and chrysler only paid 50% of repair of $700.00. Oil changes on complete drivetrain was $590.00 (4x4 with skid plates). This appears to be a metal fatigue problem in combination with engineering specifications that are too wide in tolerances, which allows failure of components to compound problems and create longer term damaging results. Ever since dodge trucks went to maintenance free front axle bearings (you can't pack bearings with grease), poor limited slip tolerances in rear axle, and transfer case that's electronically operated, the drivetrain and front suspension components have excessive loads and poor quality components. Both durangos that I've owned have had 5 wheel alignments (constant pulling to the left) and no off road driving. Strictly highway and city driving. I purchased factory extended warranty on 2003 durango which I highly recommend. So far, out of pocket expenses have been minimal, but durango spends too much time in the shop and is very inconvenient to have serviced constantly. Never had issues with warranty parts or dealer not doing warranty recall work.
2003 Dodge Durango engine complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 52 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Sludge build up occurred in the dodge durango.*mr the dealer informed the consumer that there was sludge in the engine and that it was as a result of neglect which then voided the warranty. The consumer explained that the vehicle oil had been changed numerous time by non-dealer mechanic. The dealer nor manufacturer provided any financial assistance. The consumer had the engine replaced by a local repair facility. The consumer's vehicle was making noise in the front end.
Dt: the contact owns a 2003 dodge durango. His vehicle stalls while idling and at low speeds. Took vehicle to the dealer, but since the problem is intermittent dealer can't figure out the cause of the problem. The dealer tried to see if the problem would occur, but problem didn't occur for about six months. The technician indicated that he had never heard of this problem.*ak in june 2005 the service rep said that dodge was aware of idle/stalling problems and may be working on engine transmission software fix on engine performance computer. *sb
While driving any speed, the vehicle stalled. . The cause was not determined. *jb updated 5/3/2006 - the consumer sat for about ten minutes and the vehicle was restarted. When it was restarted it made a lot of noise. The consumer drove the vehicle home about 10 MPH. The next morning the vehicle was towed to a local repair facility who indicated that the problem was probably with the engine or transmission.
As a follow up to odi # 10100538, since my initial complaint filed on on november 25, 2004 sheehy replaced the evaporation canister on my vehicle. On january 5, 2005 the check engine light came on once again. My vehicle is currently back in sheehy's shop. They now tell me that the gas tank needs to be replaced and that the vehicle is not safe to drive as the evaporation leak is excessive coming from the gas tank. They have put me in a rent a car until the new gas tank comes in. I haven't put 5,000 miles on it yet, it has less than 26, 000 miles on it and has been in the shop 6 times since I purchased it in march 2004 (purchased as a used vehicle). I want to know what recourse I have as everything done to this point has failed and I am afraid that once the gas tank is replaced that I may be in danger of something else failing in which case I may not be so lucky to live to tell or report it to anyone.
While traveling 70 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart vehicle ten minutes later, and drove it to the dealer. Mechanic could not be duplicate the problem. *ak....incident date 09/30/2004. Consumer claimed dodge was responsible for stalling. Daler never had an experienced mechanic examine the vehicle.
I purchased a used 2003 dodge durango in march 2004 with 21,448 miles from enterprise rent a car. On 9/24/04 I took the vehicle to sheehy dodge in upper marlboro, md for a check engine light problem. The code was p0440, which is for a general evaporation system failure and they replaced the purge solenoid. On 9/30/04 I took the vehicle back to sheehy, as the check engine light came back on. Sheehy's advisor contacted me later that day and said the light was not on and there were no trouble codes displayed, (the light was on when I arrived at sheehy that morning). I was told if the light came back on to bring it straight back, which I did again on 10/6/04. This time the same code came up as the first visit, p0440 and they replaced the l.d.p. Leak datec pump. Then again on 11/8/04 the light came back on again and I took it back to sheehy. This time the code was also for an evaporation leak and they replaced the gas cap. On 11/23/04 the check engine light came on again. I have another appointment scheduled with sheehy on friday, 11/26/04 to find out what the problem is again. During this period, I have driven approximately 500 miles, as my commute to work is only 2 miles. I am at my wits end right now, as this will be my 5th time in two months that this check engine light has come on. I would like to know how many other 2003 dodge durango's are experiencing this same problem and how many more times I can be expected to have to return to dodge service facilities before this problem will be permanently corrected.
While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer managed to pull over and restart the vehicle.
While applying brakes vehicle continued to stall. As a result, the vehicle lost power. Dealer stated they were not able to duplicate the problem.*ak the consumer came to a stop to let oncoming traffic pass. The consumer put foot on the accelerator and noticed the vehicle had stalled with no warning while the headlights where still on. On other occasions headlights would dim and then get brighter as the vehicle spit and sputtered for 15 seconds. The consumer had 4 co-pilots installed and was not able to hold the recordings. The vehicles left front speaker was not working. The rear hatch light will not stay in because the retainer clips broke. The vehicle had an oil leak. The transmission is not shifting properly in the vehicle.
While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle overheated. Suddenly, driver heard a loud noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop. The mechanic determined that the thermostat was not working properly, dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.
While driving at 60 MPH the vehicle stalled and jerked. Another motorist informed the consumer that the vehicle was on fire. The consumer exited the vehicle, and watched the engine compartment become engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished with no injuries. The dealer informed the consumer that engine threw a rod, and it punctured the oil pan. *ak the engine was replaced.
2001 dodge durango the engine has gone out at only 46,000 miles .I have changed my oil every 3000 miles but dodge nor the extended warranty company will take care of it .oil system failure.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Dodge Durango?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history