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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

What owners actually said

219 reports
1,200 miles · Oct 13, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE LIFT GATE DOES NOT PROPERLY LOCK AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. IF THE REAR LIFT IS UNLOCKED AND OPENED USING THE KELSEY ENTRY, IT MAY CLOSE THE LOCK WHILE ITS BEING OPENED AND WHEN YOU CLOSE USING THE KEYPAD, IT WILL APPEAR TO CLOSE AND YOU HEAR THE MECHANISM CLOSING THE DOOR BUT IT DOES NOT CLOSE BECAU…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE LIFT GATE DOES NOT PROPERLY LOCK AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. IF THE REAR LIFT IS UNLOCKED AND OPENED USING THE KELSEY ENTRY, IT MAY CLOSE THE LOCK WHILE ITS BEING OPENED AND WHEN YOU CLOSE USING THE KEYPAD, IT WILL APPEAR TO CLOSE AND YOU HEAR THE MECHANISM CLOSING THE DOOR BUT IT DOES NOT CLOSE BECAUSE THE LOCK IS ALREADY CLOSED. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EXTINGUISHES BECAUSE IT BELIEVES THE DOOR IS CLOSED. ON ONE OCCASION I FOUND MYSELF DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH AND OPENED BACK. ALSO THE INTERIOR PASSENGER DOME LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041684

9,300 miles · Aug 22, 2003
Tires

TIRE BLOW OUT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 75 MPH.*MR *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037745

3,800 miles · Aug 18, 2003
Visibility

THE WEATHER STRIPPING SECURING THE WINDSHEILD CAME LOOSE AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO HOLD THE FLAPPING PIECE OF WEATHER STRIPPING WHILE DRIVING. THE LONGER I DROVE THE MORE IT BECAME DETACHED DUE TO THE WIND PREASURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033010

17,761 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Power Train

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED VERY ROUGHLY WHEN DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN STARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS 3 TIMES. A NEW TRANSMISSION PACKAGE WAS ORDERED AN INSTALLED. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10025005

6,300 miles · Jul 13, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

VEHICLE STALLED, SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE IN GEAR AT STOP LIGHT. IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY START UP, BUT WOULD STALL AT THE NEXT LIGHT. ALSO, STALLED ONCE WHILE IN "PARK". DEALERSHIP RETRIEVED VEHICLE AND CLAIMED IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR AND REPLACED IT. THE SAME EVENING, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER A HUNDRED MILES OUT OF TOWN, THE …

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VEHICLE STALLED, SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE IN GEAR AT STOP LIGHT. IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY START UP, BUT WOULD STALL AT THE NEXT LIGHT. ALSO, STALLED ONCE WHILE IN "PARK". DEALERSHIP RETRIEVED VEHICLE AND CLAIMED IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR AND REPLACED IT. THE SAME EVENING, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER A HUNDRED MILES OUT OF TOWN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, BUT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, SEVERAL TIMES, AND RESTARTED. HOWEVER, IT DID FINALLY STALL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026007

1,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Tires

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY (GOODYEAR INTEGRITY 215/70R15). *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10022063

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON CONTINUOUS, THE HORN IS NOT WORKING, THE CRUISE CONTROL ISN'T WORKING, AND DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. I CALLED AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED A DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PA…

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON CONTINUOUS, THE HORN IS NOT WORKING, THE CRUISE CONTROL ISN'T WORKING, AND DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. I CALLED AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED A DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10025608

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES SERPENTINE BELT MAKES ONGOING NOISE. DEALER HAD REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES THE SERPENTINE BELT; BUT, PROBLEM STILL RECURRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026673

22,000 miles · Jun 25, 2003
Power Train

ON 6/18/03, VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH CONTROL MODULE AND REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10024881

485 miles · Jun 18, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

EVERY DODGE VEHICLE ON MY STREET, INCLUDING MY BRAND NEW DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS, WAS BROKEN INTO AND BURGLARIZED. APPARENTLY THIS VEHICLE IS VERY EASY TO BREAK INTO AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNSECURED UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023321

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.