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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.

About this comparison →

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

11 reports
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95,968 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,968 AND THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,968 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,974. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION HARNESS WHICH WERE BARE AND HITTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ALSO, THE O2 SENSOR AND AC COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/31/11

NHTSA ODI #10419835

120,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CONTROL VALVE FOR THE E…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CONTROL VALVE FOR THE EVAP HAD FAILED AND WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. I THINK WE HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, WE MOVED THE VENT LINE OVER ABOUT 2", DRILLED A HOLE IN GAS TANK THEN GLUED THE VENT LINE IN HOLE. SORRY TO HAVE BOTHERED YOU! TW UPDATED 10/12/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10413824

50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN HOT WEATHER, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN HOT WEATHER, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATE 09/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10234777

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

WE OWN 2 DODGE CARAVAN'S A 2001 GRAND THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH FOR 6 MONTHS. WE KEPT GETTING A EVAP LEAK WARNING LIGHT. FINALLY THEY DID A SMOKE TEST AND THE WHOLE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE JUST GOT THAT FIXED AND MY HUSBANDS 2003 CARAVAN NOW HAS THE SAME WARNING LIGHT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A COINCID…

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WE OWN 2 DODGE CARAVAN'S A 2001 GRAND THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH FOR 6 MONTHS. WE KEPT GETTING A EVAP LEAK WARNING LIGHT. FINALLY THEY DID A SMOKE TEST AND THE WHOLE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE JUST GOT THAT FIXED AND MY HUSBANDS 2003 CARAVAN NOW HAS THE SAME WARNING LIGHT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A COINCIDENCE. DODGE IS NO HELP . FIRST TIME I CALLED THEY SAID WE WILL HELP YOU. NOW THEY SAY ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. COME ON 2 VANS IN THE SAME HOUSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215647

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE DRIVER WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK AT A GAS STATION AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT RECALL NOTICE 02V274000 FUEL TANK CONTROL …

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THE DRIVER WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK AT A GAS STATION AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT RECALL NOTICE 02V274000 FUEL TANK CONTROL VALVE WELD WAS ISSUED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS DISCUSSION WAS HELD WITH VEHICLE SAFETY HOT LINE OPERATOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109361

900 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineTires

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL AND THE TIRE MANUAL HAVE SPECIAL CUSTOM SHOWING A TREAD PATTERN WITH SOLID RUBBER ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, WATER WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO HYDRO PLANE OR SPIN EASILY WHEN DRIVING ON WET SURFACES. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM…

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CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL AND THE TIRE MANUAL HAVE SPECIAL CUSTOM SHOWING A TREAD PATTERN WITH SOLID RUBBER ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, WATER WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO HYDRO PLANE OR SPIN EASILY WHEN DRIVING ON WET SURFACES. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE FUEL WAS LESS PER GALLON THAN ANTICIPATED IN THE MANUALS. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10053564

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL MILEAGE ON 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SE.*MR THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE FUEL MILEAGE WAS 13 MPG CITY DRIVING AND 20 MPG HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVERTISED THE MPG AS 19 FOR CITY DRIVING AND 26 FOR THE HIGHWAY. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10050230

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE VALVE JOINT SEPARATED FROM GAS TANK, CAUSING GASOLINE TO POUR OUT. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL TANK BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10048511

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2002. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF FUEL ECONOMY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. I AM NOT GETTING CLOSE TO WHAT IS LISTED AT 19-25 MPG. DEALER HAS BEEN TOLD OF THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037585

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

2003 DODGE CARAVAN IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE! MY NEW CARAVAN HAD A RECALL FOR A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOISY, RUFF RUNNING, AND IT DOES NOT GET 21-27 MILES PER GALLON AS ADVERTISED!! 12 MILES PER GALLON IS MORE REALISTIC. BE WARNED! THIS VAN IS TERRIBLE. LOOK AT OTHER VANS DO NOT BUY OR LEASE THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN BRO…

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2003 DODGE CARAVAN IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE! MY NEW CARAVAN HAD A RECALL FOR A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOISY, RUFF RUNNING, AND IT DOES NOT GET 21-27 MILES PER GALLON AS ADVERTISED!! 12 MILES PER GALLON IS MORE REALISTIC. BE WARNED! THIS VAN IS TERRIBLE. LOOK AT OTHER VANS DO NOT BUY OR LEASE THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF CHRYSLER AND MAROONE DODGE AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. GO ELSEWHERE! THEY ARE NOT 5 STAR THEY SUCK! *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018425

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