IllustrationWHILE 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
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
What owners actually said
195 reportsWHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED.
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
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT LUNGED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND A BLACK EYE. *AK THE SEAT WAS LEFT RECLINED BY THE OWNER'S DAUGHTER BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. AS CONSUMER TRIED TO RETRIEVE SOME ITEMS FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE, CONSUMER LEANED ACROSS THE SEAT AND PULLED THE LEVER TO RAISE IT FROM T…
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THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT LUNGED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND A BLACK EYE. *AK THE SEAT WAS LEFT RECLINED BY THE OWNER'S DAUGHTER BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. AS CONSUMER TRIED TO RETRIEVE SOME ITEMS FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE, CONSUMER LEANED ACROSS THE SEAT AND PULLED THE LEVER TO RAISE IT FROM THE RECLINED POSITION. AS THE SEAT LUNGED FORWARD, IT HIT THE CONSUMER'S HEAD FORCING IT TO HIT THE HANDLE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *LA
DURING A RAIN SHOWER, WITH MY WIPERS ON. THE WIPERS STOPPED HALF WAY. THIS WAY THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED DURING A RAIN SHOWER. THE WIPERS WILL RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE SCHEDULED THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED…
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DURING A RAIN SHOWER, WITH MY WIPERS ON. THE WIPERS STOPPED HALF WAY. THIS WAY THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED DURING A RAIN SHOWER. THE WIPERS WILL RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE SCHEDULED THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS LUCKY, SOMEONE ELSE MAY NOT BE!!*AK
TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT 34,000 MILES. AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP, VAN EXPERIENCED HARD DOWNSHIFTING AT 30 MPH. DEALER SAID A CONTROL MODULE ON THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND IT WAS REPLACED. VAN CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE HARD DOWNSHIFT AT 30MPH, SO IT WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE DEALER. PROBLEM WAS C…
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TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT 34,000 MILES. AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP, VAN EXPERIENCED HARD DOWNSHIFTING AT 30 MPH. DEALER SAID A CONTROL MODULE ON THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND IT WAS REPLACED. VAN CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE HARD DOWNSHIFT AT 30MPH, SO IT WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE DEALER. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, BUT NO FURTHER EXPLANATION OFFERED.*AK
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON SMALL INCLINE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE START ROLL BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A UTILITY POLL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *LA
VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM *LA
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKING POWER. BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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
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