Illustration03 DODGE CARAVAN WILL DIE FOR NO REASON WITH OUT NOTICE WEATHER YOU ARE IDLING OR GOING DOWN THE ROAD HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AFTER 8 DAYS THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED OFF THE LOT. *TR
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 reportsGAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND COMPRESSOR DOESN'T WORK CAUSING THE DEFROSTER NOT TO WORK. *TR
CAR STARTED STALLING. INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF, CAR WOULD DIE 15 SECONDS LATER. DIAGNOSED AS BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. DUE TO CHRYSLER'S BANKRUPTCY PROBLEMS PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SIX MONTHS. HAD TO PURCHASE A JUNK PART AND HAVE PROGRAMMED AND PUT ON TO KEEP CAR RUNNING. PART ALSO CONTROLS ODOMETER.... RAN…
Read full complaint
CAR STARTED STALLING. INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF, CAR WOULD DIE 15 SECONDS LATER. DIAGNOSED AS BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. DUE TO CHRYSLER'S BANKRUPTCY PROBLEMS PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SIX MONTHS. HAD TO PURCHASE A JUNK PART AND HAVE PROGRAMMED AND PUT ON TO KEEP CAR RUNNING. PART ALSO CONTROLS ODOMETER.... RAN MILEAGE UP TO 360,000 MILES FROM 64,000 MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS A QUADRIPLEGIC WHO HAD A WHEELCHAIR INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE BY MANUFACTURERS NAMED INDEPENDENT DRIVING VEHICLE. BRAUN, ANOTHER MANUFACTURER HELPED TO PRODUCE VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SIT IN A WHEELCHAIR WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS A QUADRIPLEGIC WHO HAD A WHEELCHAIR INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE BY MANUFACTURERS NAMED INDEPENDENT DRIVING VEHICLE. BRAUN, ANOTHER MANUFACTURER HELPED TO PRODUCE VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SIT IN A WHEELCHAIR WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED AFTER HITTING A CURB AND DRIVING OVER AN ENTRAPMENT. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER (THE QUADRIPLEGIC) WAS KILLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A WITNESS TO THE CRASH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HEADING TOWARD A THREE-WAY INTERSECTION AND INSTEAD OF GOING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, THE VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. SINCE THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO DRIVE HE VEHICLE, IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I AM ON MY THIRD RACK AND PINION FOR THE STEERING MECHANISMS FOR THE 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT THAT WE OWN. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 WITH 28000 MILES WITHIN THE YEAR I REPLACED MY FIRST RACK AND PINION (2006). SINCE THEN I REPLACED ANOTHER ONE (2008) AND NOW AM HAVING TO REPLACE ANOTHER. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS AND AM HAVING TO …
Read full complaint
I AM ON MY THIRD RACK AND PINION FOR THE STEERING MECHANISMS FOR THE 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT THAT WE OWN. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 WITH 28000 MILES WITHIN THE YEAR I REPLACED MY FIRST RACK AND PINION (2006). SINCE THEN I REPLACED ANOTHER ONE (2008) AND NOW AM HAVING TO REPLACE ANOTHER. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS AND AM HAVING TO CONTINUOUSLY DRIVE A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING. EVERY MECHANIC I CALL SAYS THAT THE DODGE VANS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HORRIBLE RACK AND PINIONS AND THAT NO ONE WILL WARRANTY THAT PART. CAN YOU HELP ME? THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED NOT JUST ACCEPTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AND IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER AT AN EXPENSE OF $1500.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
MY DODGE VAN HAS FOUR "SLOW LEAK" BRIDGESTONE TIRES. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THIS VAN. DO NOT BUY BRIDGESTONE TIRES. BRIDGESTONE 215/65R16 98T M+S EL4213Z DOT 7X6V CTO 2203 C19L TUBELESS RADIAL . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED AN ESTI…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR COST. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
I HAVE RECEIVED TWO DIFFERENT DOUGLAS 215/70R 15BWX-TRACII TIRES. BOTH HAVE SEPARATED ON ME. THE TIRES ARE NO LONGER USABLE. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE QUALITY OF TIRE. THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPENED WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. *TR
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