2003 Dodge Durango Wheels Problems

Your truck suddenly started producing white smoke with antifreeze spraying everywhere after you left work. You're unsure whether the engine seized or the head gasket failed, but either way the engine needs immediate attention. Additionally, your truck spins out when driving in the rain even though the tires appear to have good tread, which suggests a traction or suspension issue rather than tire wear. Both problems require professional diagnosis—the engine issue may need head gasket replacement or engine rebuild, and the wet-weather spinning may involve replacing suspension components or addressing brake balance.

THE SPARE TIRE WINCH ON MY VEHICLE FAILED AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL TO THE PAVEMENT. IN MY CASE I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE ALMOST SURELY RESULTED. THE SPARE TIRE ON THESE VEHICLES IS QUITE LARGE AND HEAVY AND COULD CAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IF HIT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE SPARE TIRE WINCH USES A STRANDED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND LOCK THE SPARE TIRE UP AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLES FRAME. THIS STRANDED STEEL CABLE FAILED RIGHT WHERE IT PASSED THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE RIM. THIS STRANDED STEEL CABLE IS GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY ON EVERY DODGE TRUCK THAT USED THIS DESIGN OF WINCH. EVERYONE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. CHRYSLER HAS USED THIS DESIGN IN LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS SINCE THE 90S OR BEFORE. IT AMAZES ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR FATALITIES RESULTING FROM THE FAILURE OF THE WINCH. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED MANY INSTANCES OF THE SPARE TIRE FALLING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CABLE FAILING.

2003 DODGE DURANGO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LUG NUTS STAMPED STAINLESS COVER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHREDDED. ALL OF THE LUG NUTS CAME OFF, EXCEPT ONE. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE LUG WRENCH, TO BREAK IT LOOSE, THE STAMPED STAINLESS DECORATIVE CAP TWISTED OFF. HE WAS UNABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO PLACE, SO THAT THE 19MM LUG WRENCH WOULD WORK. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL OF THE LUG NUTS. *JB

THE CENTER WHEEL CAPS COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAPS DO NOT FIT TIGHT ON THE WHEELS. I CAN REMOVE THE CAPS EASILY ONLY USING MY FINGERS.

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE DURANGO WITH ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THE CENTER CAP ON THE WHEEL IS COMING OFF WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEBODY WAS STEALING THEM BUT I NOW KNOW THAT ISN'T TRUE. AFTER I LOST TWO OF THEM I DECIDED TO CHECK THEM EVERY TIME I GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. YESTERDAY I HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, SO BEFORE I GOT INTO THE CAR I LOOKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TWO CENTER CAPS THAT WERE LEFT WAS STILL IN THEIR PLACES OF WHICH THEY WERE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DOCTOR I CHECKED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS MISSING ONE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. I DID NOT STOP ANYWHERE SO I KNOW THAT IT HAD TO COME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I ALSO CALLED THE DEALER PARTS PERSON TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAD REPLACEMENTS AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS BEEN HAVING A RUN ON THEM AND THAT EITHER SOMEBODY MUST BE COLLECTING THEM OR THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. I KNOW THAT SOMEBODY WILL GET HURT BADLY IF THEY GET HIT BY ONE OF THESE, ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON IS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE AND AM HOPING THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP ME OUT. THANKYOU, LARRY OCCHIPINTI (OCCH1@AOL.COM) . *AK