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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
18,144 miles · Feb 10, 2004
Steering

POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMES FROM POWER STEERING. WHINING IS AGGREVATED WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. NOISE CHANGES WITH SPEED OF THE ENGINE. MY FLUID LEVEL IS AT NORMAL. MY DEALERS A…

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POWER STEERING PUMP WHINES WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMES FROM POWER STEERING. WHINING IS AGGREVATED WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. NOISE CHANGES WITH SPEED OF THE ENGINE. MY FLUID LEVEL IS AT NORMAL. MY DEALERS ANSWER WAS TO OVERFILL THE RESERVOIR WITH FLUID. NOW THAT THE FLUID LEVEL IS COMPLETELY FILLED TO THE TOP OF THE RESERVOIR, INCLUDING THE NECK OF THE RESERVOIR, THE NOISE HAS GONE AWAY. IT APPEARS THE RESERVOIR IS TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10056935

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other

POOR GAS MILAGE 13MILES/GALLON

NHTSA ODI #10069129

17,755 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train

THE FIRST PROBLEM HAPPENED ON 4/24/03 TRANSMISSION STUCK IN SECOND GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. DEALERSHIP REMOVED AND DISASSEMBLED TRANSMISSION. FOUND A LOT OF METAL FILINGS AND FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. THEY REPLACED CLUTCHES AND CONVERTER, REASSEMBLED. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED TRANSM…

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THE FIRST PROBLEM HAPPENED ON 4/24/03 TRANSMISSION STUCK IN SECOND GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT. DEALERSHIP REMOVED AND DISASSEMBLED TRANSMISSION. FOUND A LOT OF METAL FILINGS AND FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. THEY REPLACED CLUTCHES AND CONVERTER, REASSEMBLED. THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION BLEW. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE CASE, DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE BRAND NEW FROM THE FACTORY TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME AS WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT. I BELIEVE IT IS A LEMON.

NHTSA ODI #10069110

6,400 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE LEAKED CARBON MONOXIDE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. 4 DAYS LATER CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKAGE WOULD NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053956

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053643

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2004
Exterior Lighting

I RECENTLY PURCHASE A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS NOT ILLUMINATED. MY DEALER SAYS THAT THE ILLUMINATION WAS REMOVED IN THE 2003 MODELS. DOES THIS COMPLY WITH TITLE 49 PART 571 STANDARD NO 101? *AK

NHTSA ODI #10051531

10,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
SeatsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10051738

48,000 miles · Dec 4, 2003
SeatsCrashInjury

WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVING FROM 55 TO 60 MPH. AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, SLAMMING THE CONSUMER ONTO THE REAR SEATS. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE OTHER…

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WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVING FROM 55 TO 60 MPH. AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, SLAMMING THE CONSUMER ONTO THE REAR SEATS. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE OTHER DRIVER. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH *MR

NHTSA ODI #10050078

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL MILEAGE ON 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SE.*MR THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE FUEL MILEAGE WAS 13 MPG CITY DRIVING AND 20 MPG HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVERTISED THE MPG AS 19 FOR CITY DRIVING AND 26 FOR THE HIGHWAY. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10050230

18,250 miles · Nov 29, 2003
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

40 TO 60 MPH REAR END CRASH BY BMW INTO STATIONARY (TRANS IN DRIVE, WAITING TO EXIT EXPRESSWAY) 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT - (ONLY DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER IN CARAVAN, BOTH WITH SEAT BELTS FASTENED) ALL SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED BACKWARD, INCLUDING MIDDLE BENCH, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE FLUNG BACK CAUSING NECK INJURIES. IF A …

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40 TO 60 MPH REAR END CRASH BY BMW INTO STATIONARY (TRANS IN DRIVE, WAITING TO EXIT EXPRESSWAY) 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT - (ONLY DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER IN CARAVAN, BOTH WITH SEAT BELTS FASTENED) ALL SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED BACKWARD, INCLUDING MIDDLE BENCH, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE FLUNG BACK CAUSING NECK INJURIES. IF A CHILD HAD BEEN SITTING ON THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN CRUSHED. IN ADDITION THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR DETACHED COMPLETELY (ELECTRICAL WIRES TORN OUT FROM VISOR LIGHT) AND FLEW INTO THE DRIVERS FACE. THE CARAVAN AFTER BEING HIT WAS PUSHED INTO THE NEXT CAR IN FRONT OF IT. NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048839

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