IllustrationDT CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS CROSSING OVER THE WATER LINE AND THE CLAMPS LEADING TO THE RADIATOR. HE STATES THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *JB *SB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
430–25K
4225–50K
2750–75K
675–100K
10100–150K
9150K+
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
Steering complaints
41 reportsTHE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN 50000 MILES OF DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING TO THESE COMPONANT FAILURES. THE DEFECT CAUSES ROUGH VEHICLE HANDLING I.E. ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHIC…
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THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN 50000 MILES OF DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING TO THESE COMPONANT FAILURES. THE DEFECT CAUSES ROUGH VEHICLE HANDLING I.E. ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE, FACTORY INSTALLED AND TWO REPLACEMENTS. ORIGINALLY INSTALLED ASSEMBLY WAS DISCARDED. THE TWO REPALCEMENTS WERE PERFORMED BY THE ORIGINAL SELLING DEALERSHIP, MONROE CHRYSLER SUPERSTORES, USING MOPAR REPLACEMENTS.*AK
2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. *JB
STREERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. WE HAVE SEVERAL DODGE MINI VANS (YEARS 03,04) IN OUR WORK FLEET AND 4 OF THE 5 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
RECALL 04V386000/POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE: DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR CONSUMER'S RECALL NOTICE.*AK
WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERRTAINED TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WANDERED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB
POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMES FROM POWER STEERING. WHINING IS AGGREVATED WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. NOISE CHANGES WITH SPEED OF THE ENGINE. MY FLUID LEVEL IS AT NORMAL. MY DEALERS A…
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POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMES FROM POWER STEERING. WHINING IS AGGREVATED WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. NOISE CHANGES WITH SPEED OF THE ENGINE. MY FLUID LEVEL IS AT NORMAL. MY DEALERS ANSWER WAS TO OVERFILL THE RESERVOIR WITH FLUID. NOW THAT THE FLUID LEVEL IS COMPLETELY FILLED TO THE TOP OF THE RESERVOIR, INCLUDING THE NECK OF THE RESERVOIR, THE NOISE HAS GONE AWAY. IT APPEARS THE RESERVOIR IS TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE.*AK
MY NEW 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SE HAS A PRONOUNCED BIAS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THIS HAS BOTH SAFETY AND TYRE WEAR IMPLICATIONS. MY LOCAL GOOD YEAR DEALER SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ALIGNMENT AFTER PUTTING THE CAR UP ON A LIFT. THE DEALER HAS SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TYRE. THE C…
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MY NEW 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SE HAS A PRONOUNCED BIAS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THIS HAS BOTH SAFETY AND TYRE WEAR IMPLICATIONS. MY LOCAL GOOD YEAR DEALER SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ALIGNMENT AFTER PUTTING THE CAR UP ON A LIFT. THE DEALER HAS SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TYRE. THE CAR WILL BE SERVICED AT THE DEALR ON 11/14/2003.*AK
Official recalls
305V134000 · 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
1DP14002 · 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