For the dynamic behavior evaluation of a semi-active vibration control system, it is very important to use an accurate mathematical model for the hydraulic damper applied to the control system. In this study, a mathematical model for a symmetric type hydraulic damper was suggested. In this model, the effects of gas volume and oil temperature variation on the bulk modulus of oil were considered. The dynamic behavior of the damper was investigated by experiments and simulations. It was confirmed that the pressure variation, damping force, and mean pressure variation could be estimated with comparatively good precision by the suggested mathematical model. Moreover, it was shown that excessive pressure rise can be generated by the oil expansion due to the heat energy transformed from the exciting energy of the damper for a short period of the damper operation.