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2003 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 58 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

17 reports
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11,856 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN; SUCH PROBLEMS WERE A KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 2 BRAKE JOBS. *JB THE TWO BRAKES JOBS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKED (RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V386000), THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN DOWN AT 8K MILES, THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THE GEAR PANEL ILLUM…

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THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN; SUCH PROBLEMS WERE A KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 2 BRAKE JOBS. *JB THE TWO BRAKES JOBS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKED (RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V386000), THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN DOWN AT 8K MILES, THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THE GEAR PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE WINDOW HAD BECOME LOOSE. 80% OF THE VEHICLES PROBLEMS WAS UNDER 10K MILES. THE ROTATION NOISE CONTINUED AND THE RUBBER LINING AROUND THE SLIDING DOOR WAS COMING OFF. OTHER PROBLEMS: WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE FRONT RIMS/HUB CAPS WERE DIRTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE LEAKAGE AROUND THE BRAKES, EVEN DURING NORMAL WASHING, THERE WAS A MILD RINGING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DOOR RATTLED, THE REAR TAIL LAMP WAS DAMAGED, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND BACK-UP LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKES WERE GOING BAD AGAIN, THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER DUE TO NO FUEL PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT, WHEN THE DRIVER DOOR WAS SHUT IT MADE A LOUD RATTLE SOUND, THERE WOULD BE A DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN GOING UPHILL, WHEN SITTING AT IDLE, THE ENGINE WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WERE REVVING BUT THE GAUGE DID NOT DISPLAY THIS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10127972

16,135 miles · Mar 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I MANAGE A FLEET THAT CONTAINS 13, 2003 DODGE CARAVANS. SO FAR 5 OF THE 13 VANS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR. ALL THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 16,000 AND 18,000 MILES. THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING PROACTIVE ABOUT CHANGING OUT THE OTHER SENSORS ON THE OTHER 8 VEHICLES. I CALLED CORPORATE AND…

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I MANAGE A FLEET THAT CONTAINS 13, 2003 DODGE CARAVANS. SO FAR 5 OF THE 13 VANS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR. ALL THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 16,000 AND 18,000 MILES. THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING PROACTIVE ABOUT CHANGING OUT THE OTHER SENSORS ON THE OTHER 8 VEHICLES. I CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY TOOK THE SAME STANCE, AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT NHTSA. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE ENGINE IS GETTING OIL OR NOT. SOMETIMES SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNING IT BACK ON TURNS OFF THE LIGHT, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MY FLEET, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112803

47,256 miles · Dec 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD A FAULTY BEARING IN THE ALTERNATOR WHICH REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I AM A LONG-TIME DODGE OWNER, HAVING OWNED AND DRIVEN TWO DODGE OMNIS, TWO DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UPS AND THIS IS MY SECOND CARAVAN, THE FIRST WENT 110,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE AN …

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MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD A FAULTY BEARING IN THE ALTERNATOR WHICH REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I AM A LONG-TIME DODGE OWNER, HAVING OWNED AND DRIVEN TWO DODGE OMNIS, TWO DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UPS AND THIS IS MY SECOND CARAVAN, THE FIRST WENT 110,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR, AND I DRIVE MOST OF MY VEHICLES UNTIL THEY HAVE 150,000 TO 200,000 MILES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10104709

17,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

NHTSA ODI #10092103

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 DODGE CARAVAN STALLING PROBLEM. *MR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK. INCIDENT DATE: JULY 29, 2004. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10087659

6,400 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE LEAKED CARBON MONOXIDE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. 4 DAYS LATER CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKAGE WOULD NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053956

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE/1//03 VEHICLE STALLED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR. BUT ON SATURDAY JUNE/21/03, VEHICLE STALLED, AND TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024722

Official recalls

3

05V134000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Apr 6, 2005

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE THE STRIKER ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN UNBELTED PASSENGER COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER LIFTGATE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V386000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Aug 5, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14002 · Engine Stall After Refueling

Opened Sep 5, 2014 · Closed Apr 6, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

This defect petition evaluates July 7, 2014 allegations from an owner of a model year (MY) 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan that engine stall occurs in these vehicles without warning after refueling.The petitioner's vehicle is a Chrysler RS platform minivan.The RS platform includes MY 2003 through 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country and Chrysler Voyager minivans.NHTSA evaluated the petition by analyzing consumer complaints submitted to the Agency, analyzing field data, reviewing technical information provided in Chrysler's response to an Agency information request and testing an RS minivan identified by its owner as experiencing post-refuel engine stalls.After completing this evaluation, NHTSA has concluded that further investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists.The stalls occurring in these vehicles only occur immediately after filling up the fuel tank and happen at low engine speeds. The failure rate is low, even after 8 to 13 years of the vehicles being in service, and there are no reports of crashes or injuries resulting from the stall condition.In the Agency's view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in finding the existence of a safety-related defect in the subject vehicles.Given the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the Agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will take further action if warranted by future circumstances. More details concerning our review can be found in the Federal Register Notice for this action.The following 161 VOQs are included in the petition evaluation: 10209242, 10229468, 10240708, 10260923, 10275939, 10276532, 10296487, 10298175, 10328669, 10330144, 10346517, 10349789, 10354758, 10363689, 10372112, 10372368, 10372514, 10378031, 10379764, 10382938, 10387448, 10394063, 10398877, 10413918, 10418652, 10420924, 10427063, 10437525, 10445392, 10446902, 10470028, 10471249, 10473733, 10502231, 10503114, 10504260, 10509862, 10511988, 10512120, 10512385, 10512650, 10513147, 10538154, 10549841, 10551763, 10555188, 10555418, 10556754, 10565367, 10574012, 10574398, 10586555, 10587212, 10587559, 10593433, 10607841, 10607913, 10608922, 10615810, 10622468, 10628141, 10632112, 10632128, 10632172, 10632175, 10632231, 10632262, 10632266, 10632270, 10632305, 10632316, 10632326, 10632370, 10632385, 10632399, 10632492, 10632542, 10632765, 10632833, 10632928, 10633197, 10633281, 10633409, 10633421, 10633483, 10633507, 10637752, 10637804, 10637950, 10637975, 10638032, 10638289, 10638290, 10638401, 10638968, 10639218, 10639623, 10641157, 10641603, 10641614, 10641836, 10644339, 10644705, 10649713, 10649895, 10649932, 10650313, 10652590, 10653147, 10653783, 10654533, 10655226, 10658900, 10659679, 10660320, 10662588, 10662645, 10662662, 10663473, 10667056, 10667437, 10668081, 10668094, 10668131, 10668612, 10668969, 10668970, 10669584, 10669678, 10669729, 10669775, 10669866, 10669895, 10669992, 10670422, 10670506, 10676348, 10676732, 10677120, 10679795, 10679934, 10680057, 10680290, 10680342, 10680714, 10681512, 10682584, 10682906, 10683022, 10683114, 10683549, 10683620, 10683697, 10683743, 10689898, 10690761, 10691284, 10691556, 10691751, 10693061, 10694300