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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

31 reports
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20,000 miles · Aug 25, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AND WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 20000 MILES, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO ACT WEIRD. IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, MY WIFE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES WOBBLED. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT NOW THE BRAKES ARE DOING THE SAME THING. THE VE…

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I HAVE A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AND WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 20000 MILES, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO ACT WEIRD. IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, MY WIFE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES WOBBLED. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT NOW THE BRAKES ARE DOING THE SAME THING. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 34000 MILES AND I AM GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166585

30,000 miles · Jul 31, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A RUST PROBLEM AND GRINDED EVERY TIME THEY WERE APPLIED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE BACKER PLATE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED TWICE BY AN INDEPENDENT DEALER AND ONCE BY A SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE AND TH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A RUST PROBLEM AND GRINDED EVERY TIME THEY WERE APPLIED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE BACKER PLATE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED TWICE BY AN INDEPENDENT DEALER AND ONCE BY A SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE AND THE BRAKES WERE OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10164008

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE DRUMS ON THE CONSUMER'S 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WERE TAKEN OFF 3 TIMES TO CLEAN OFF RUST WHICH CAUSED GRINDING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THEY WERE FIRST CLEANED AT 12000 MILES.*TS THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162617

40,000 miles · Jun 12, 2006
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE. LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOCKED UP INSIDE THE REAR DRUM RESULTING IN BRAKES TO ENGAGE WITH HIGH FORCE WITH JUST LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159599

46,000 miles · Jan 12, 2006
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, WHICH FIXED THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED A SECOND TIME A MONTH AFTER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE D…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, WHICH FIXED THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED A SECOND TIME A MONTH AFTER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE BRAKES FAILED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE AUTO TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT THE DEALER REPLACED IT IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE THE BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE AGAIN. IN FOUR INCIDENTS OF BRAKE FAILURE SPEED OR ROAD CONDITIONS DID NOT APPEAR TO PLAY A PART.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10147660

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AUGUST 10, 2003. JUNE 9, 2004 - 11,438 MILES - BRAKES REPLACED, ROTORS RESURFACED. OCTOBER 23, 2004 - 16,533 MILES - ROTORS RESURFACED. MARCH 5, 2005 - 21,887 MILES - FAULTY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS REMOVED AND REPLACED. SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 - 29,609 MILES - ROTORS RESURFACED JANUARY 4, 2006, 3…

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PURCHASED 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AUGUST 10, 2003. JUNE 9, 2004 - 11,438 MILES - BRAKES REPLACED, ROTORS RESURFACED. OCTOBER 23, 2004 - 16,533 MILES - ROTORS RESURFACED. MARCH 5, 2005 - 21,887 MILES - FAULTY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS REMOVED AND REPLACED. SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 - 29,609 MILES - ROTORS RESURFACED JANUARY 4, 2006, 33,071 MILES - RECOMMENDED BRAKES REPLACEMENT AND ROTOR RESURFACING, DEALERSHIP REFUSING TO HONOR WARRANTY FOR BRAKES WITH LESS THAN 12 MONTH OR 12K MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146972

64,865 miles · Dec 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED EVERY TIME THA HE APPLIED THE BRAKES IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144444

58,000 miles · Nov 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 DODGE CARAVAN BRAKES GO TO FLOOR WHEN STOPPED CAUSING LOST OF BRAKING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143362

9,000 miles · Oct 28, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES INCLUDING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT …

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DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES INCLUDING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN INCORRECT ALIGNMENT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. AFTER THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE SYSTEM THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141127

7,000 miles · Aug 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE, NOVEMBER OF 2004, AND AUGUST OF 2005. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132877

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