2003 Dodge Durango defect investigations

Investigations by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation that name the 2003 Dodge Durango. An investigation is how complaints can become a recall: complaints → investigation → (sometimes) TSB → recall.

• VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIRE
  Engineering Analysis EA06011 · opened Jun 19, 2006 · closed Sep 22, 2006

  Daimlerchrylser corporation (dcc) will recall 35,103 my 2001-2003 dodge durango vehicles equipped with front bench seats (recall # 06v339, see defect report for details).the subject vehicles are equipped with either front bucket seats or a 40-20-40 split front bench seat.vehicles equipped with front bench seat contain …

• FIRE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT
  Preliminary Evaluation PE06008 · opened Feb 2, 2006 · closed Jun 19, 2006 · led to recall 06V339000

  Odi is aware of 10 reports alleging that a fire originates underneath the driver's seat.six of thefires occurred while the vehicle was parked with the ignition switch turned off (key not in the ignition).the subject vehicles are equipped with manual seats. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis…

• UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
  Engineering Analysis EA03023 · opened Nov 19, 2003 · closed Feb 11, 2005 · led to recall 04V596000

  Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) is recalling the target population of approximately 600,000 my 2000 through 2003 durango and dakota vehicles with four-wheel drive to replace the front suspension upper ball joints with redesigned parts that do not have the joint integrity concerns and have substantially improved joint…

• FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE
  Preliminary Evaluation PE03032 · opened Jul 16, 2003 · closed Nov 19, 2003

  In july 2003, odi opened pe03-032 based on 4 consumer complaints alleging separation of an upper ball joint.complaints alleged an unexpected collapse in the front end and in some occasions the ball joint separation is alleged to have resulted in the wheel, brake rotor, and steering knuckle separating from the vehicle.s…

• SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
  Preliminary Evaluation PE02082 · opened Nov 6, 2002 · closed Apr 23, 2003

  There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. A…