Dodge›Durango›2003›5.9L/dodge/durango/2003/5-9l/

DN platform

2003 Dodge Durango — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Durango 5.9L.

Body SUVEngine 5.9LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Built on the DN platform, the 2003 Dodge Durango 5.9L is an SUV that combines a 5.9L engine with an automatic 4-spd transmission, requiring 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API oil and returning EPA fuel economy ratings of 12/17/13 mpg. Within the model's complaint history covering 1997 to 2026, this year logged 338 total owner complaints with suspension as the top complaint area, positioning it far below the 1999 high of 2043 complaints but above the 1997 low of 4. These figures accompany 6 recalls for the vehicle, indicating a reliability profile that avoids the model's maximum complaint volume while still exceeding the minimum recorded issues.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy12/17/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 27 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 27 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	53004383AC
Fuel filter	05012351AB discontinued
Spark plug	68303921AA alt 68303918AA
Battery	BB27F101AA
Front wiper blades	55077091AD
Serpentine belt	53010303AC alt 05135746AA
Thermostat	52028185AC alt 68174083AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.7 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	72 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	4727 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	12 / 17 / 13 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2003 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.1–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2000 R/T 5.9 V8

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	R/T 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	245 hp	AWD
2000	R/T 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	250 hp	AWD
1998	SLT 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.20 sec	16.10 sec	245 hp	AWD
1998	SLT 5.9 V8 5.9L V8	8.70 sec	16.60 sec	245 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	MOPAR POWER STEERING FLUID OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	48 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	30 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	200 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Type	RC12LC4
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	30.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-20
Standard BCI Group Number	27
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	27
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	19-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47.0-51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	130 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0009 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.1 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.1 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.047 in / 0.811 in
Drum Runout Limit	0.005 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs. ( 1 ft. lbs. at a time.), step 2: bolts 5-12: 6 ft. lbs., step 3: all to 6 ft. lbs., step 4: all to 12 ft. lbs., step 5: all to 12

6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 12,000 mi	Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect)
Every 21,000 mi	Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 90,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Dodge Durango represents a notable inflection point in the first-generation model’s federal safety record. Complaints dropped sharply from 2002 (436) to 2003 (338), continuing a downward trend from the 1999 peak (2,043), while recalls remained steady at six—consistent with the prior two years but below the 2004–2006 surge (9–10 recalls annually). Investigations held at five, matching 2002, though the data doesn’t specify root causes for the complaints, which clustered in suspension (63), engine cooling (30), and electrical systems (27). This year precedes the 2004–2005 spike in complaints and investigations, suggesting early mitigation of first-generation issues before later models faced new challenges. With fewer complaints than adjacent years and no clear escalation in recalls or investigations, the 2003 Durango appears to be a relatively stable choice within its generation. **Takeaway: It’s one of the better years to buy, provided suspension and cooling systems are thoroughly inspected.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

338

Owner complaints

29 involved a crash · 18 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 338 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension63

Engine & Engine Cooling30

Electrical System27

Exterior Lighting18

Service Brakes, Hydraulic17

Power Train13

Air Bags12

Visibility10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V596000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball JointReported 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… Remedy: 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.

08E064000Suspension:Front:HubReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 50 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100645	2025-08-15	Unknown Or Other	Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders…
101232	2024-10-29	Power Train	Plate - Planetary
9001784	2021-02-22	Power Train	Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9001784	2021-02-22	Equipment	Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Durango. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 27 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt DN-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 53004383AC Fuel filter 05012351AB Spark plug 68303921AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Durango 5.9L take?

5.0 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Durango have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.9L get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 17 highway / 13 combined mpg.