IllustrationPOWER CABLE FOR RADIATOR FAN WAS RUBBING AGAINST AC TUBING. CABLE WORE THROUGH CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT, FAILURE OF RADIATOR COOLING FAN RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. WIRE CABLE BUNDLE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND REROUTED TO PREVENT FUTURE VIBRATION EROSION OF CABLE BUNDLE.*JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand 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
3150–75K
2575–100K
13100–150K
15150K+
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
What owners actually said
219 reportsTHE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 68,000 MILES. THIS ORIGINALLY HAPPENED ON VACATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 5 IN THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY IN TENNESSEE. WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OFF I REACHED FORWARD TO TOUCH THE SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. 3 WEEKS WENT BY WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. NOW ALMOST DAILY THE LIGHTS…
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THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 68,000 MILES. THIS ORIGINALLY HAPPENED ON VACATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 5 IN THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY IN TENNESSEE. WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OFF I REACHED FORWARD TO TOUCH THE SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. 3 WEEKS WENT BY WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. NOW ALMOST DAILY THE LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND COME BACK ON WHEN I TOUCH THE SWITCH. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. *NM
MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER POWER WINDOWS STOP WORKING, SOMETIMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN FROM IT'S LOCKED POSITION (STEERING WHEEL IS "NOT" LOCKED) *JB
BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE FAILURE OF THE JOINTS PREVENTS A VEHICLE FROM PASSING INSPECTION AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS CRACKING ON THE ROOF WHERE THE FRONT DOORS MET THE ROOF AND BODY. THE FRONT DOORS WERE OFF ALIGNMENT AND IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE ROOF WAS PULLING UP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS ROSE TO 4500, AND DROPPED BACK DOWN TO 2000. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.
BOUGHT VAN USED ABOUT A YR AGO - IS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE NOT SATIFYINGLY DEALT WITH ARE ( BETWEEN END DEC 05 TO MID NOV 06- NOTICED BRAKES NOISES SINCE BOUGHT IT - SEVERAL CALLS AND A CHECK THEY SAID THERE WAS DUST MAKING THE NOISE - LESS THAN 9 MO LATER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTARS - THEY …
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BOUGHT VAN USED ABOUT A YR AGO - IS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE NOT SATIFYINGLY DEALT WITH ARE ( BETWEEN END DEC 05 TO MID NOV 06- NOTICED BRAKES NOISES SINCE BOUGHT IT - SEVERAL CALLS AND A CHECK THEY SAID THERE WAS DUST MAKING THE NOISE - LESS THAN 9 MO LATER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTARS - THEY MADE EXCUSES THEY WEAR OUT - HAD THEY INFORMED ME THEY WERE WEARING OUT WHEN THEY FOUND DUST ID HAVE HAD THEM IN LONG BEFORE NEEDING ROTARS FIXED - SINCE NEW BRAKES AND ROTARS IN OCTOBER HEAR SAME NOISE AND THEY DISMISS IT. ALSO - HAVE TROUBLE WITH LIGHTS AND HEAT AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DIMMING AND SEEMING TO DIE OUT WHEN DECELERATING A LOT SINCE I BOUGHT IT - HAD IT IN AD CALLED SEVERAL TIMES - THEY SAY THEY CANT SEE ANYTHING WRONG ADN THAT DODGE WAS MADE TO DO THAT ? . NOT HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE AND FEEL I AM OUT NEAR 20,000 - ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER BRAKES REPAIRED THIS MONTH- COVERED ITEM BUT LESS THAN DEDUCTIBLE SO STUCK WITH NEAR 85 DOLLAR BILL - THEY SAID AGAIN THIS JUST HAPPENS - SEEMS THAT IS STANDARD ANSWER TO TROUBLE IT JUST HAPPENS - I DONT FEEL THE BRAKES JUST HAPPENED AND I AM SURE THE LIGHT TROUBLE COULD BE A HAZARD IF IT STALLED COMPLETELY ON A BUSY ROAD. DODGE SHOULD LOOK CLOSER AT THIER VEHICLES. AM ALSO GONNA CHECK OUT VEHICLE FOR THE OTHER TROUBLE STATED HERE IN REGARDS TO SEATBELTS AND CRACKS - HAVE CHILDREN AND THAT IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE - IF IT HAPPENS AND ANYONE IS HURT YOU CAN BET ILL BE RUNNING TO A LAWYER - SAME WITH THE DOWN IDLE WITH BRRAKEING AND ABS GOING OUT - JUST PRAYING FOR NO INJURIES - NOTE THAT PRINTOUT I RECIEVED TODAY HAS OLD OWNERS STUFF ON IT AND NOTICED THAT THE NOISE FROM TIRES AND FRONT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM THAY HAD IT IN SEVERAL TIMES ALSO FOR IT. OH - AND GUESS WHAT THEY CHARGE FOR A 2 INCH TRAILER HITCH BALL - 89.00!!! HAD I KNOWN THAT ID HAVE GONE TO WALMART AND PAID WAYYYY LESS. ALL FOR THE CASHOLA AN NOT THE GOOD OF TH CUSTOMER I SUPPOSE HUH? *NM
POWER STEERING WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER WE GOT IT, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AFTER 4 VISITS BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK 6 MONTHS LATER THE NOISE IS BACK. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MINI VAN AND THEY ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME…
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POWER STEERING WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER WE GOT IT, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AFTER 4 VISITS BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK 6 MONTHS LATER THE NOISE IS BACK. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MINI VAN AND THEY ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND THE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED BOTH SETS OF PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT WHEELS. UPDTATED 11/03/06. 8JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE AND A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE BUSHINGS WERE NOT REPLACED, WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAK…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE AND A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE BUSHINGS WERE NOT REPLACED, WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE POPPING NOISE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS BOTH TIE ROD END BALL JOINTS THAT WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Official recalls
204V386000 · 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
3DP14002 · 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.