8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,350
Average Mileage:
76,400 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. engine change (2 reports)
  3. engine head overhaul (1 reports)
2003 Dodge Durango engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Dodge Durango Owner Comments

problem #7

Sep 172010

Durango 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,651 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

well the rocker arms 5 and 7 blowed off i think i gov needs to get somebody to pay other than the buyers this is bull

Update from Oct 25, 2010: well tryed to fix the prob now the rockers wont stay on at all so i have to change the head to replace valve springs the good news is i found a site called power train sells the 4.7 for 2200 and its got a 4 year warrenty or a million miles the said they fixed all the manufactor issues so i think iam just going to change the engine its all most cheaper if i do it my self

- Louis C., Fairfield, IL, US

problem #6

Mar 222009

Durango SXT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

MY check engine light was on and I took it back I thought it was fixed but they just took my bulb out. When they really did fix on it was still half done. It stopped for a little while and now it's getting really bad. I'm spending money on the SUV trying to get it fixed and it hasn't stop yet. I'm getting to the point where they really don't know what is wrong with the Durango and I just started Googling to see if anyone else was having these problems and now I see, I'm not the only one that's pissed off.

- keekee30, Minneapolis, MN, US

problem #5

Feb 092009

Durango SXT 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,069 miles

To the people at Dodge WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. My friend convinced me to work on his girlfriends 2003 dodge durJUNKgo. First thing I did was to fix all the P codes that were showing on my scanner, I had 7 of them first one was p:0113, p:0038, p:0480, p:0357, p:0356, p:0300, p:0352. After I fixed all the P codes I did a major tune up oil change and oil filter and service the trans also, when i went to start up the vehicle up it had a bad miss fire and popping out of the intake manifold. So I went online and I started reading all the problems that these motors are having, the one that caught my eye was the rocker arm problem, the next day I pulled off the valve covers and found that # 7 cyl exhaust valve had fallen off check lifter and cam for wear found that the valve was stuck open had to pull heads off and took them to get a valve job. I hope this takes care of the problem. The suv only has 75.069 miles my FORD had 196.789 before it died never touch the motor just regular maintenance.

GOOD JOB Dodge you just gave me one more reason why not to buy your JUNK !!!!!!!!!!!

- Armando C., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #4

Apr 202009

Durango SLT 4.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We bought our 2003 Durango almost 2 years ago. The oil changes and maintenance have been done like clockwork. It is taken care of and mainly highway miles. It started missing and ticking and the check engine light came on. We thought it was the spark plugs and changed all of them. That didn't fix it at all. Then we took it back in and it had thrown the #2 and #4 rockers. That lasted for a day after they were replaced with new ones. It started doing the same thing and had to be towed back to the shop. They then proceeded to replace the #7 rocker. That also lasted a day. On the way home home from the shop it quit on us twice once the RPM's went below 1000. Then when we started it up the next day you can hear that the #3, #6 and #8 rockers are now going out. Every mechanic we have talked to is baffled by this. After doing research at home we have come to find out that this is a MAJOR problem that Dodge needs to fix. We think the solution is to contact our local TV stations and get a report done and the word out so that Dodge is responsible for their screw up. This is obviously a defect in their engineering and it's time they are held accountable. If anyone would like to contact us about problems they are having you may email us at ajstutzman04@verizon.net

- Allison S., Strasburg, OH, US

problem #3

Feb 012008

Durango SLT 4.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

In February of this year, while driving up a steep grade, I heard an awful sound coming from under the hood of my engine compartment, a pop sound and then a clacking noise! By the next day the clacking was more pronounced. I hurriedly made it to the dealer where I was informed that the main bearing had slipped and a rod was knocking. The next thing that would happen is the engine could seize. As I had only 87,000 miles on this vehicle I was stunned to hear this. The cost to replace the engine from the dealer would be approximately $7000! I had originally paid $32,000 for this vehicle in 2003 - and was not too interested in forking over $7000! I went ahead and wrote a letter to Dodge over this issue and stated in light of my handicap (I'm a partial paraplegic and have hand controls installed on this vehicle (paid for by Chrysler/Daimler at the time of purchase) it was unacceptable for me to be driving around in an unreliable vehicle. I additionally requested a exception on their warranty so that they could replace the engine at their cost. I just received a phone call from one of their outsourcing departments in the Philippines (I'm here in the US) and was told that it was out of warranty (duh!) and they wouldn't be able to help me. I love talking to these overseas outsourcing place - they have a script that they read from and do not deviate from - so having a conversation with this gentleman was hilarious at best - and ridiculous and worst! Suffice it to say - I got no where! So I'm blogging on all sites that I come across so that other consumers beware - DO NOT BUY CHRYSLER/DODGE - they are overpriced/gas hogs/with terrible performance! If you do buy one of their products - make sure to factor in long range warranty insurance coverage - you will need it!

- Rosina H., Riverside, CA, US

problem #2

May 162007

(reported on)

Durango 4.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,900 miles

It started with just the check engine light then it stopped starting . Got the problem fixed I thought (cam Sensor) and it still cut off riding down the road. No one can tell me what it is. I have five kids and I can't afford to keep calling a tow truck.

- Magen M., Whiteville, NC, US

problem #1

Jan 222006

(reported on)

Durango

  • 9,000 miles

Buyers beware. Most of the complains I've read in several internet sites about the engine failure of the durango had no warranty and they blaim it on the kind of maintenance you do, but this durango has a low mileage and had up-to-date maintenance under authorized dealers. Its dangerous to drive around knowing that your engine will suddenly stop in a busy street and you might figure in a big accident (killing someone, or killing yourself as a result). Let the people know that you might be a victim one of these days. It's not a good investment after all, better buy a poorly maintained car for a cheap price than buying an expensive one which is dangerous and defective. That same unit had a bad painting job that they have already corrected and corrosion in the engine room from the battries. BUYERS BEWARE! DON'T RISK YOUIR LIFE FOR THIS PRODUCT.

- drjay, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

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