2003 Dodge Durango Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2003 DODE DURANGO WITH 11,841 MILES AND I ALREADY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY WHEEL SOUNDING LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP YET BECAUSE I CONTACT CBS NEWS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE THE CAR FIRST. I ALSO HAVE A 1999 DODGE DURANGO WITH 69,000 MILES AND ITS NOT EVEN DRIVABLE AT THIS POINT BECAUSE OF THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND THEY FIXED IT WHICH WAS IN APRIL, IN AUGUST OF THE YEAR I HAD TO PUT NEW BRAKES AND RODERS ON THE CAR AND AT THIS POINT I'M AFARID THAT THE WHEEL WILL FALL OFF. I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FIX IT AND THE LIEN HOLDER IS ABOUT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE. WOULD YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO BEFORE I LET THE LIEN HOLDER HAVE THE VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

VIBRATION OF VEHICLE AND FRONT ALIGNMEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH REAR DRIVESHAFT DROPPED TO GROUND, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER'S WIFE SUSTAINED A BLACK EYE, LACERATED LIP, AND MID BACK PAIN FOR WHICH SHE'S GOING TO PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED WHIP LASH, AND HIS 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK PAIN. HIS SON WAS SHAKEN UP. AS OF 10/21/03, NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE. *PH

A DEER WAS RUNNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THE DRIVER HIT THE DEER, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES. *AK LUG NUTS HOLDING TIRES BROKE, RESULTING IN LOST OF TIRES. *TS *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON A HILL AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A CURB THE VEHICLE LEANED EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT AND ALMOST ROLLED OVER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AFTER MARKET HEAVY DUTY SHOCK ABSORBERS. *AK *TS *NLM

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK

VIBRATION IN FRONT END OF SUV. THE VIBRATION OCCURS WHEN DRIVING. DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL ALSO VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING I AM A SERVICE MGR. FOR FARM DEALERSHIP AND DEAL WITH COMPLAINT EVERYDAY THIS IS NOT NORMAL PROBLEM WITH SUV BUT ONE THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING FROM THE DAY THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT AND NOW DODGE AND THE DEALER DO NOT WONT TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIME GOING TO DIFFERENT DEALER THIS ALSO HAD NEW TIRE INSTALLED AT DEALERS REQUEST AT MY COST AND HAD THE TIRE BALANCED THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS APP 15,000 MILES ON NOW IT IS 2003 DURANGO. *NM

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

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. BOTH FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP UPON IMPACT. *AK THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOUNCE IN THE FRONT END. AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, THE FRONT TIRE TURNED INWARD. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE BOLT ON THE TIE ROD SNAPPED. *SCC *JB

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 *NM

WHEN TURNING THERE IS SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE NOISE IS WORSE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. SOMETIMES THE NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY AREN'T ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. *AK

I PURCHASED A NEW DODGE DURANGO ON JUY 11, 2003 AND IT NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 800 MILES ON IT. I HAD DRIVEN IT WITH NO PROBLEM UNTIL LAST THURSDAY, AUGUST 14. I PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AND IT NEVER STARTED FOR ME AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT ON FRIDAY, THE GAS GAUGE WAS REGISTERING EMPTY ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A HALF OF A TANK OF GAS IN IT. I TRIED TO START IT SAT, SUN AND MON. IT MADE A NOICE BUT WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT EARLY MON MORNING. THEY ALSO COULD NOT START IT. MULTIPLE TESTS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR FOR THE LAST 5 DAYS AND THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START IT BUT THEY CAN NOT DIAGNOIS OR FIX THE PROBLEM AS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. THE CAR WOULD NOT START FOR THE DEALER 3 TIMES WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION. TODAY, FRIDAY, AUG 22, THE DEALER HAD THE CAR RUNNING AND WANTED TO RELEASE IT BACK TO ME WITH NO REPAIRS. I REFUSED TO TAKE IT BACK AS I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND AM AFRAID THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DEPEND ON IT STARTING EVERYDAY AS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT DIDN'T START FOR ALL THE OTHER DAYS. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR TO SEE IF IT STARTS ON MON, AUG 25TH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CATEGORY THIS FALLS INTO BUT TO ME IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMPUTERS IN THE CAR ARE READING THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF GAS AND MAYBE IT WILL HAPPEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I MAY BE IN AN UNSAFE AREA OR OUT AT NIGHT ALONE AND THIS CAR WILL NOT START. I WON'T BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE OUT OF STATE BECAUSE I'LL BE AFRAID THAT I'LL BE STRANDED. I WOULD NEVER BELIEVE THAT I WOULD PURCHASE A CAR AT THIS PRICE AND HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN IT OR HAVE THE ABILTY TO GO WHERE I CHOOSE AND WHEN I CHOOSE. ALL I WANTED WAS TO GET THE CAR FIXED BUT NO ONE CAN DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *AK

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

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.*AK

ON THE 2003 DODGE DURANGO ON HIGHWAY DRIVE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN YOU GO PAST 65 MPH. IT SHAKES AND PULLS TO EITHER SIDE. MY RENTAL WENT TO THE RIGHT OTHER DURANGOS ON THE HIGH WAY WENT TO THE LEFT.*AK

FRONT SUSPENSION. *AK

2003 DURANGO HAS ALWAYS HAD A BAD BUMP STEER PROBLEM (WHEN A BUMP IS HIT, THE CAR TURNS HARD LEFT OR RIGHT). I HAVE SEEN OTHER DURANGOS,DAKOTAS WITH THEIR WHEEL SNAPPED AT THE TIE ROD. THIS COULD LEAD TO MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS.*AK

SUV 2003 DODGE DURANGO, WENT OUT OF CONTROL WHICH CAUSED A BIG ACCIDENT. *LA

RECALL 04V596000, CONSUMER HAS A 2 WHEEL DRIVE DURANGO. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINTS AS THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK....AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED, BUT DEALER DID CHARGE D$300.00 FOR WARRANTY WORKON DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. *AK

VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR END COLLISION AT 25/30 MPH , ON IMPACT THE RARE HATCH BACK POP OPEN AND LUGGAGE FELL OUT. BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT THE IMPACT WASN'T' SEVERE ENOUGH TO RELEASE THE HATCH BACK.

ON JUNE SIXTH, MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95 DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM. I LOWERED MY SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 M.P.H. DUE TO THE HEAVY RAIN WHEN SUDDENLY TRAFFIC SLOWED. I DECELERATED KEEPING A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, I SAW A BLUE FORD RANGER APPROACHING. I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE APPROACHING WAS NOT GOING TO STOP IN TIME. THE RANGER STRUCK OUR VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 M.P.H. OUR VEHICLE WAS STILL TRAVELING FORWARD SO THE IMPACT WAS DISSIPATED TO APPROXIMATELY 25 M.P.H. THE INSTANT THE VEHICLE STRUCK OURS, THE REAR HATCH POPPED OPEN DEPOSITING SOME OF OUR LUGGAGE AND ARTICLES ONTO THE ROADWAY WHERE THEY WERE STUCK BY THE VEHICLE THAT STRUCK OURS, DAMAGING THE ITEMS. MY CONCERN WAS THAT IF I HAD AN UNSECURED OCCUPANT IN THE THIRD SEAT, THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER CONDUCTED THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION BUT TO MY DISMAY, THEY HAVE OBSTRUCTED ME IN EVERY INQUIRY OF THE RESULTS OF THAT INVESTIGATION. I AM REQUESTING AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION IN THE HOPE THAT THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE THERE ARE ANY INJURIES. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE DURANGO SLT ON APRIL 24,2003. WHEN MY VEHICLE HIT 800 MILES THE LOCKS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ALL THE TIME, WHETHER THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE TOPOR DODGE 2 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE FIXED. IT IS NOW BACK IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ONLY NOW THEY JUST KEEP UNLOCKING ALL THE TIME. I HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT TOPOR TIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED BECAUSE THE DOORS WON'T STAY LOCKED AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I WORK IN SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS AND IT IS UNSAFE TO TAKE MY OWN DURANGO TO WORK. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE JUNE 3,2003 AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I WILL BE WITHOUT MY BRAND NEW DURANGO. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT I KNOW LONGER WANT TO DEAL WITH. MY DURANGO NOW HAS 4200 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE SEAT AND PULLED THE LEVER DOWN HIS THUMB BECAME CAUGHT IN METAL BRACKET HINGE. *JB

THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM RECALL NUMBER B32 RELATED TO THE SENSOR MODULE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES (SERVICE MANAGER MATT BARTOLO FILE NUMBER 11214898). *NLM

THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 65 MPH, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. *JB THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN GOING OVER HIGHWAY SEAMS AND BRIDGES. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MAINTAIN A CONSTANT (SET) SPEED AND WILL VARY FROM 5 MPH AND SWAP TO REGAIN SET SPEED WHEN GOING UP LONG GRADE WHEN ENGAGED. SCC

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 DODGE DURANGO. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY 2003 IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE TWICE, THE REAR END TWICE AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. I OWNED A 1999 DURANGO AND HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED A FEW TIMES AND THE BALL JOINTS. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD DONE THE SAME THING. DODGE COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT DURANGO AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE LAST DURANGO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE CROSSING OVER LANES WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMING RIGHT AT ME. AGAIN, THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SAME WITH THIS ONE. I AM REQUESTING THAT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND WILLIAMSBURG DODGE REFUND MY MONEY AND TAKE THE TRUCK BACK. THEY RECENTLY HAD MY DURANGO FOR 15 DAYS. THE FIRST 10 DAYS THE DISTRICT MANAGER, JAMES BROWN, AND SHANE LOCKHART, DEALERS TECH MANAGER, ARGUED THAT MY CAMPER WEIGHED TOO MUCH. I GAVE THEM EVIDENCE THAT MY CAMPER ONLY WEIGHED 4295 LBS. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SELLS THE DURANGO BOASTING IT CAN TOW 7400 LBS. AFTER I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER, JAMES BROWN SAID HE MADE A MISTAKE ON THE WEIGHT. NOW, THEY WANT TO INSPECT MY CAMPER FOR FAULTY BREAKS. THEY ARE SAYING SOMEHOW IT IS CAUSING STRESS ON THE DURANGO. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! I HAVE HAD MY CAMPER INSPECTED. SURPRISINGLY, THE PLACE WHERE I HAVE GONE SAYS THEY GET THIS A LOT FROM DODGE OWNERS. DO WE SEE A PATTERN? THEY ALSO GET A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR DODGE OWNERS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION COOLANTS PUT ON THEIR DODGES. WHAT DOES THIS TELL US? CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM TELLS A LOT ABOUT DODGE. WE NEED SOMETHING TO BE DONE WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER. *PH

THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING IT. THIS OCCURRED WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TESTED AND DRIVEN BY THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED IT WAS NORMAL. *JB *TC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC STOP OR WET OR ROUGH PAVEMENT. THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AB BRAKING PUMP HAS MALFUNCTION. PART ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER.

CONSUMER REQUEST INFORMATION REGARDING STATUS OF UPPER BALL JOINTS INVESTIGATION ON 2003 DURANGO. *MR *NM

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR SEAT BELTS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND REPLACED THE SEAT BELTS, BUT CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW WHICH PARTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO, VEHICLE NEEDS CONSTANT REALIGNMENT. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION ON, IT REVERSED BY ITSELF WITHOUT SWITCHING THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NO INVESTIGATION IS OUT YET. *PH

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, INCLUDING BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES OPERATED POORLY. *AK

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

WHILE SITTING IN VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING POWER WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, POWER TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AND WINDOWS RETURNED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN, THE VEHICLE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY OPENED AND CLOSED BY THEMSELVES. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TEN TIMES, FIVE COMPUTER REPLACEMENTS, AND THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE WERE INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. *SC *JB

STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN.*MR BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ANTI LOCK CONTROL MODULE AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. *NM