IllustrationCPSC: I1530226A. 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER STATED THE CAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION NEITHER DID IT HIT ANYTHING. *LN
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 reportsWHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT TURN ALLOWING ME TO START THE CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO INSERT THE KEY PULL IT TOWARDS ME THEN INSERT A FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER IN THE KEY AND TAP 2 TO 3 TIMES THEN TURN THE KEY. I WORKS LIKE THAT EAC…
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WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT TURN ALLOWING ME TO START THE CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO INSERT THE KEY PULL IT TOWARDS ME THEN INSERT A FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER IN THE KEY AND TAP 2 TO 3 TIMES THEN TURN THE KEY. I WORKS LIKE THAT EACH TIME BUT THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THOSE DESCRIBED IN TV ADS PROMPTING DANGER OF HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN UNSUSPECTING AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I HAVE READ TIME AND TIME AGAIN ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN MODULE OR COMPUTER GOING OUT ON THE DODGE 2003 CARAVANS AND SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL BY NOW? THE VAN RUNS BEAUTIFUL BUT WILL STOP AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING! WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE IT IS A RECALL? I WANT MY VAN FIXED BUT KNOWING THIS HAS …
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I HAVE READ TIME AND TIME AGAIN ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN MODULE OR COMPUTER GOING OUT ON THE DODGE 2003 CARAVANS AND SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL BY NOW? THE VAN RUNS BEAUTIFUL BUT WILL STOP AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING! WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE IT IS A RECALL? I WANT MY VAN FIXED BUT KNOWING THIS HAS BEEN AND STILL IS A PROBLEM WITH DODGE AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO CHOCK LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME BECAUSE I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO CELL SERVICE WHEN I STOPPED TO TURN AROUND A MAN THAT WAS BEHIND ME CAME RUNNING OVER TO GET ME OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE BACK DRIVERS S…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO CHOCK LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME BECAUSE I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO CELL SERVICE WHEN I STOPPED TO TURN AROUND A MAN THAT WAS BEHIND ME CAME RUNNING OVER TO GET ME OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT WAS ON FIRE IF IS WAS NOT FOR HIM I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR EVEN DIED THE CAR BURNED UP AND EXPLODED WITH IN TWO MINUTES OF ME GETTING OUT. THE CAR WAS FINE WHEN I STARTED IT THAT MORNING AND THE DAY BEFORE I DROVE IT ABOUT 100 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS CAN BE A CAT SHOULD JUST NOT GO ON FIRE LIKE THAT. THE CAR HAD TO BE JUNKED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF IT. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAD NO FIRE ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF ITS AGE SO NOW I AM OUT A CAR THAT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND I COULD HAVE HAD IT FOR MANY MORE YEARS. DODGE WILL NOT EVEN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER I HOPE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY AS ME TO GET OUT UNINJURED. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS AND AM WORRIED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS CAR AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ONE NOW AND I LIVE 14 FROM THE NEAREST STORE. *TR
DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PARKWAY IN MARYLAND AT A CONSTANT SPEED IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL SECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT STEM BROKE NEAR ITS BASE. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IMMEDIATELY TURNED 90 DEGREES AND CAR SKIDDED TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE DRIVING LANE. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS (N…
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DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PARKWAY IN MARYLAND AT A CONSTANT SPEED IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL SECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT STEM BROKE NEAR ITS BASE. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IMMEDIATELY TURNED 90 DEGREES AND CAR SKIDDED TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE DRIVING LANE. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS (NO NOISE, VIBRATION, HANDLING CHANGES, ETC.) BEFORE THE FAILURE. ONLY BY LUCK WAS THERE NO ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAD NO PRIOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION AND NO PRIOR SERVICING (OTHER THAN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE - TIRE REPLACEMENT, BRAKE SERVICING, ETC.) HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT OR NEARBY PARTS. *TR
HORN BLASTS, WIPERS TURN ON , WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYS, FOUR WAY FLASHERS TURN ON. LASTED 3 MINUTES THEN IT ENDS. *TR
EVERY TIME IS DIFFERENT. ONE DAY THE HORN, LEFT DAYLIGHT, RIGHT BLINKER, RIGHT STOP LIGHT DON'T WORK; NEXT DAY ALL WORK FINE, THEN NEXT DAY: HORN, BLINKERS, LIGHT STOP WORKING AGAIN....CHECK UP FUSES, CHANGED BULBS . AND THIS GOES ON AND OFF...... *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IS NONE FUNCTIONAL DO TO A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. *TR
THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON NOR ARE YOU ABLE TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY WITH THE CHILD SAFETY SWITCH OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN THIS DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS THE DOOR MY SMALL CHILD IS ACCESSED THROUGH. APPARENTLY IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSU…
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THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON NOR ARE YOU ABLE TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY WITH THE CHILD SAFETY SWITCH OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN THIS DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS THE DOOR MY SMALL CHILD IS ACCESSED THROUGH. APPARENTLY IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE TOO!!! I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A DEALER FIX IT. & THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION AVAILABLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 5-10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP HE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 5-10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP HE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE AND MASTER CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 100,671.
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