Model year guide

2003 Dodge Durango

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Dodge Durango is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 95 on record.

2003 Dodge Durango — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Dodge Durango at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints338
Combined14 mpg
Typical price$2,129

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Dodge Durango recalls 6

Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint NHTSA Campaign #04V596000 · 21/12/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Suspension:front:hub NHTSA Campaign #08E064000 · 20/10/2008

SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.

Fix: SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #06E024000 · 15/03/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUC…

Fix: K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #06V339000 · 07/09/2006

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch NHTSA Campaign #02V322000 · 02/12/2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE (CTM) HAS AN IMPROPERLY SIZED CIRCUIT BOARD TRACE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLAMP LOW BEAM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CTM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer NHTSA Campaign #04V216000 · 05/05/2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Dodge Durango common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 338 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2003 Dodge Durango MPG & running costs

Combined14 mpg
City12 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,500

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Dodge Durango worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$2,129
High
$3,700

From 85 comparable 2003 Dodge Durango listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Dodge Durango costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,250
Total$23,750
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,129) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,145), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Dodge Durango trims & engines on record

Trims
SLT · Sport · SLT Plus · R/T
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl · 5.9L 8-cyl

2003 Dodge Durango vehicles on record

2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48N53F596604 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48N83F566092 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HR38N73F514233 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48N83F543895 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HR38N23F501048 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HR38N03F588951 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48NX3F564327 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48N03F542790 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48NX3F536513 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48Z43F579960 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT Plus1D4HS58N03F531231 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HR48Z73F601266 2003 Dodge Durango SLT Plus1D4HR58Z33F599876 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HS38N43F531608 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HR48N63F602227 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48N23F599041 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT Plus1D4HR58Z43F603983 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HR38N73F615255 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT Plus1D4HR58N53F511908 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT Plus1D4HR58N73F573360 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT Plus1D4HS58N53F555038 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HR38N33F615110 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango Sport1D4HR38N53F592980 2003 Dodge Durango 2003 Dodge Durango SLT1D4HS48N53F566535

Other Dodge Durango model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2003 Dodge Durango — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Dodge Durango have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2003 Dodge Durango. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Durango?

Based on 338 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Durango get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Dodge Durango at about 14 mpg combined (12 city / 17 highway).

How much is a 2003 Dodge Durango worth?

Comparable 2003 Dodge Durango listings run roughly $600–$3,700, typically around $2,129 (from 85 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.