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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

31 reports
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24,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2003 CARAVAN AND A 2004 RAM AND HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES. I BELEIVE THAT THE FACTORY MUST HAVE USED FAULTY ROTORS. LAST AUGUST, TO MY AMAZEMENT I HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED WHEN THE DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON MY CARAVAN (26,000 MILES). I BEGRUDGINGLY PAID OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR THIS. 9 MONTHS LATER THE BR…

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I HAVE A 2003 CARAVAN AND A 2004 RAM AND HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES. I BELEIVE THAT THE FACTORY MUST HAVE USED FAULTY ROTORS. LAST AUGUST, TO MY AMAZEMENT I HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED WHEN THE DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON MY CARAVAN (26,000 MILES). I BEGRUDGINGLY PAID OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR THIS. 9 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL ARE PULSING AGAIN AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED AGAIN EVEN THOUGH THE PADS ARE FINE. I EXPECTED THAT THE DEALER WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS SINCE THEY WERE JUST SERVICED 9 MONTHS AGO BUT THEY SAID I WAS 200 MILES OVER THE LIMIT. I ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY RAM AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD MORE THAN 50% OF MY PADS LEFT I HAD WARPED ROTORS AND HAD TO PAY THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM TURNED. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LITHIA DODGE IN OMAHA, PREVIOUSLY JIMS DODGE, AND HE HAD THE AUDACITY TO TELL ME IF I REPLACE THE ROTORS THE NEW ONES WILL BE GUARANTEED FOR LIFE NOT TO WARP! WHY WOULD YOU GUARANTEE THE AFTERMARKET ROTORS BUT NOT THE ROTORS FROM THE FACTORY??!

NHTSA ODI #10126741

11,856 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN; SUCH PROBLEMS WERE A KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 2 BRAKE JOBS. *JB THE TWO BRAKES JOBS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKED (RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V386000), THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN DOWN AT 8K MILES, THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THE GEAR PANEL ILLUM…

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THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN; SUCH PROBLEMS WERE A KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 2 BRAKE JOBS. *JB THE TWO BRAKES JOBS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKED (RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V386000), THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN DOWN AT 8K MILES, THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THE GEAR PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE WINDOW HAD BECOME LOOSE. 80% OF THE VEHICLES PROBLEMS WAS UNDER 10K MILES. THE ROTATION NOISE CONTINUED AND THE RUBBER LINING AROUND THE SLIDING DOOR WAS COMING OFF. OTHER PROBLEMS: WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE FRONT RIMS/HUB CAPS WERE DIRTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE LEAKAGE AROUND THE BRAKES, EVEN DURING NORMAL WASHING, THERE WAS A MILD RINGING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DOOR RATTLED, THE REAR TAIL LAMP WAS DAMAGED, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND BACK-UP LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKES WERE GOING BAD AGAIN, THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER DUE TO NO FUEL PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT, WHEN THE DRIVER DOOR WAS SHUT IT MADE A LOUD RATTLE SOUND, THERE WOULD BE A DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN GOING UPHILL, WHEN SITTING AT IDLE, THE ENGINE WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WERE REVVING BUT THE GAUGE DID NOT DISPLAY THIS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10127972

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE VEHICLE NEEDED TWO FRONT ROTORS. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10109436

15,000 miles · Feb 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ROTOS AND BRAKES WORN AT 15,000 MILES. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10112821

19,000 miles · Jan 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. THE GARAGE THAT DID THE WORK STATED THAT 1ST BRAKES SHOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. DODGE/CHRYSLER WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM TOLD ME THAT THEY ONLY COVERED BRAKES FOR 12,000 MILES. I'VE NEVER REPLACED BRAKES AT 12,000 MILES.... *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107559

36,000 miles · Jan 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE 5 TIMES, BUT THE THE SAME PROBLEMS RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106928

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKING POWER. BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10066905

10,484 miles · Sep 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE MOVING THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD SOME LOUD BANGING NOISES. I STOPPED AND LOOKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND FOUND BRAKE PARTS LAYING IN THE DRIVEWAY FROM THIS CAR. WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037587

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032198

11,800 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 DODGE CARAVAN - BRAKE FAILURE AT 6500 MILES, REPLACED CALIPERS AND PADS BRAKE FAILURE AT 11800 MILES, REPLACED PADS, ROTORS, SHOES, DEALER STATED NPF IN CAUSE OF FAILURE, BLAMES DRIVER ABUSE? SOMETHING WRONG IN BRAKE BOOSTER OR OTHER CAUSES TO WHY BRAKES NEED REPLACING AT LOW MILEAGE INTERVALS AND NOT COVERED BY CHRYSLER…

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2003 DODGE CARAVAN - BRAKE FAILURE AT 6500 MILES, REPLACED CALIPERS AND PADS BRAKE FAILURE AT 11800 MILES, REPLACED PADS, ROTORS, SHOES, DEALER STATED NPF IN CAUSE OF FAILURE, BLAMES DRIVER ABUSE? SOMETHING WRONG IN BRAKE BOOSTER OR OTHER CAUSES TO WHY BRAKES NEED REPLACING AT LOW MILEAGE INTERVALS AND NOT COVERED BY CHRYSLER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10030394

Official recalls

3

05V134000 · 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

1

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