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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

195 reports
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2005
Electrical System

MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WILL NOT START, SINCE FRI. MAY 20,2005. IT IS NOW AT SUPREME CO. 281-996-7888 FRANK FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH DESTROYED THE STARTER AND RELAY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THRU THE DEALER. WHY IS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM? HAS SUCH A PROB…

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MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WILL NOT START, SINCE FRI. MAY 20,2005. IT IS NOW AT SUPREME CO. 281-996-7888 FRANK FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH DESTROYED THE STARTER AND RELAY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THRU THE DEALER. WHY IS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM? HAS SUCH A PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED? WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH DEFECT?

NHTSA ODI #10121831

29,000 miles · May 19, 2005
SteeringFire

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT RUPTURED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10121622

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2005
Steering

DT CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS CROSSING OVER THE WATER LINE AND THE CLAMPS LEADING TO THE RADIATOR. HE STATES THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *JB *SB

NHTSA ODI #10121181

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2005
Exterior Lighting

DT CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS ON HER VEHICLE GOES OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ON TEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10120986

28,775 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Steering

THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN 50000 MILES OF DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING TO THESE COMPONANT FAILURES. THE DEFECT CAUSES ROUGH VEHICLE HANDLING I.E. ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHIC…

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THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN 50000 MILES OF DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING TO THESE COMPONANT FAILURES. THE DEFECT CAUSES ROUGH VEHICLE HANDLING I.E. ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE, FACTORY INSTALLED AND TWO REPLACEMENTS. ORIGINALLY INSTALLED ASSEMBLY WAS DISCARDED. THE TWO REPALCEMENTS WERE PERFORMED BY THE ORIGINAL SELLING DEALERSHIP, MONROE CHRYSLER SUPERSTORES, USING MOPAR REPLACEMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116570

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2005
Steering

2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117702

62,000 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Steering

STREERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. WE HAVE SEVERAL DODGE MINI VANS (YEARS 03,04) IN OUR WORK FLEET AND 4 OF THE 5 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10114606

24,000 miles · Mar 9, 2005
Steering

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10113795

16,135 miles · Mar 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I MANAGE A FLEET THAT CONTAINS 13, 2003 DODGE CARAVANS. SO FAR 5 OF THE 13 VANS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR. ALL THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 16,000 AND 18,000 MILES. THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING PROACTIVE ABOUT CHANGING OUT THE OTHER SENSORS ON THE OTHER 8 VEHICLES. I CALLED CORPORATE AND…

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I MANAGE A FLEET THAT CONTAINS 13, 2003 DODGE CARAVANS. SO FAR 5 OF THE 13 VANS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR. ALL THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 16,000 AND 18,000 MILES. THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING PROACTIVE ABOUT CHANGING OUT THE OTHER SENSORS ON THE OTHER 8 VEHICLES. I CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY TOOK THE SAME STANCE, AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT NHTSA. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE ENGINE IS GETTING OIL OR NOT. SOMETIMES SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNING IT BACK ON TURNS OFF THE LIGHT, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MY FLEET, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112803

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

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