← New search

2003 Dodge Grand Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 284.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

169 reports with mileage · 50 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 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

Engine complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
238,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN IN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238,000.

NHTSA ODI #11191715

120,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
EngineStructureCrash

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SLEES LIMIT WAS 45 I WAS DOING 50 MD A DEER CAME OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT IT HEAD ON THW WHOLE FRONT ENDS OF MY CAR IS AT MY WINDSHIELD. IT WAS A VERY HARD IMPACT THAT BROUGHT ME TO A COMPLETE STOP M Y AIR BAGS DIS NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE WITH A IMPACT LIKE THAT

NHTSA ODI #10750245

175,000 miles · Mar 14, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS UPON FIRST ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES (ABOUT 1 OUT OF EVERY 4 REFUELS). SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. UPON DOING RESEARCH, WE HAVE LEARNED OF MANY COMPLAINTS ALREADY VOICED ABOUT A FAULTY VALVE. FOR REFERENCE:…

Read full complaint

UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS UPON FIRST ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES (ABOUT 1 OUT OF EVERY 4 REFUELS). SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. UPON DOING RESEARCH, WE HAVE LEARNED OF MANY COMPLAINTS ALREADY VOICED ABOUT A FAULTY VALVE. FOR REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/2014/09/10/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN-CHRYSLER-TOWN-AND-COUNTRY-STALLING-NHTSA/ HTTP://EN.ALLEXPERTS.COM/Q/CHRYSLER-REPAIR-807/F/STALLING-REFUELING.HTM HTTP://RICKSFREEAUTOREPAIRADVICE.COM/ENGINE-STALLS-AFTER-FILLING-TANK-CHRYSLER-MINIVAN/. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694300

149,000 miles · Sep 11, 2014
Engine

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AROUND 2 YEARS NOW AND IT OCCURS WHEN THE VAN IS NEAR EMPTY AND I FILL IT WITH GAS. WHEN I START TO DRIVE AWAY AND PULL ONTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE CHUGS AND JERKS AND ACTS LIKE IT WILL COMPLETELY STOP. THERE IS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE, AND IT IS A TERRIFYING AND DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH WIL…

Read full complaint

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AROUND 2 YEARS NOW AND IT OCCURS WHEN THE VAN IS NEAR EMPTY AND I FILL IT WITH GAS. WHEN I START TO DRIVE AWAY AND PULL ONTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE CHUGS AND JERKS AND ACTS LIKE IT WILL COMPLETELY STOP. THERE IS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE, AND IT IS A TERRIFYING AND DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH WILL LIKELY RESULT IN ACCIDENT. IF I LET OFF THE GAS AND GO SLOW, IT EVENTUALLY STOPS CHUGGING AND JERKING. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT IS A FRIGHTENING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. UNLESS A SOLUTION IS FOUND, I EXPECT THAT IT WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632400

7,000 miles · May 22, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10593492

63,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568677

165,000 miles · Sep 11, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I HAVE HAD SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN! I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2008 W/ 68K MILES. AT THAT TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($2000), AUTO WINDOW REGULATOR, AC BLOWER, TIRES, ALTERNATOR BELT, WATER PUMP, ETC.THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR …

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD SO MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN! I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2008 W/ 68K MILES. AT THAT TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM ($2000), AUTO WINDOW REGULATOR, AC BLOWER, TIRES, ALTERNATOR BELT, WATER PUMP, ETC.THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SOME TIME NOW AND MECHANIC SAYS MISFIRING SPARK PLUGS. WHEN SERVICED FOR PROBLEM(@ 170K MILES) DISCOVERED ORIGINAL FACTORY SP STILL IN. HORRIBLE CORROSION/BUILD UP, HAD 2 FUEL SYSTEM FLUSHES. LIGHT ON AGAIN. NEWEST & MOST DANGEROUS PROBLEMS,ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS NOW, VAN HAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING, IDLING, AND PARKED. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE AT LOWER SPEEDS OR PARKED BUT ONCE WHILE I WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING. WHEN IT CUTS OFF THE OIL LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CAR TURNS RIGHT BACK ON. 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING 25-50MPH HAS GONE INTO CRUISE CONTROL BY ITSELF, AND I LOOSE CONTROL UNTIL IT DECIDES TO GIVE IT BACK! TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AFTER PARKING AND TURNING CAR OFF MYSELF, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IGNITION NOT RESPONDING, NO NOISE, NOTHING. TRIED TO JUMP IT AND NOTHING, NOTICES THAT LIGHTS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT EFFECTED. FORTUNATELY AN OBSERVER ALSO HAPPENED TO BE A MECHANIC, HE TOOK OUT THE STARTER FUSE AND STUCK SOME WIRES IN THE SOCKET AND HAD ME TURN THE KEY, IT STARTED!!! HE SAID THAT IT SEEMS THERE IS AN IGNITION COMMUNICATION PROBLEM, A.K.A. COMPUTER PROBLEM. I HAVE 4 KIDS THAT ARE ALWAYS WITH ME AND THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS DEPENDENT ON THE COMPUTER TO FUNCTION, THEN I HAVE ZERO ROOM FOR COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS. I HAVE REVIEWED ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE SIMILAR IF NOT IDENTICAL TO MINE. I WONDER HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE FILED BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475044

Official recalls

2

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

3

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

EA04031 · Power Liftgate Latch

Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 7, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

PE04054 · Power Liftgate Latch

Opened Jul 30, 2004 · Closed Nov 22, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON JULY 30, 2004, BASED ON ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING UNWANTED OPENING OF THE VEHICLE'S POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) WHILE DRIVING.IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC)'S SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO ODI' S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, IT PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS.DCC STATES IN PART, ...THE PLG LATCH BECOMES STUCK IN A SEMI-CLOSED STATE NOT ALLOWING THE PLG LATCH TO ENGAGE THE STRIKER, THUS NOT CLOSING THE LIFTGATE COMPLETELY.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT BE ILLUMINATED AND THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT A POWERED OPEN) WHILE DRIVING. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA04-031 FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS.