IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THAT INTERMITTENTLY NOT ABLE TO PHYSICALLY CHANGE TRANSMISSION GEAR TO THE REVERSE SETTING. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN GEAR IS IN REVERSE, VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 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
2750–75K
675–100K
10100–150K
9150K+
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 reports2003 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.
THE BRIDGESTONE TIRE, TURANZA EL42 ,215/65R16, BLACK WALLS. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET A HOLD OF THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS LEFT ON HOLD SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. *AK THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED . THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND VIEWED SMOKE IN THE REAR. WH…
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THE BRIDGESTONE TIRE, TURANZA EL42 ,215/65R16, BLACK WALLS. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET A HOLD OF THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS LEFT ON HOLD SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. *AK THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED . THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND VIEWED SMOKE IN THE REAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONSUMER SAW THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. *SCC *JB
WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLES RIGHT SIDE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION BOLT WAS MISSING. *NLM *CB
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REVERSE WITH THE GEAR AND GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DIDN'T ACCELERATE OR WHEN IT WAS IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO REVERSE. *AK THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES A WEEK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE …
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INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REVERSE WITH THE GEAR AND GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DIDN'T ACCELERATE OR WHEN IT WAS IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO REVERSE. *AK THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES A WEEK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T MOVE. THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE GAS, AND HAD NO IDEA THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS; THE FIRST TIME FOR WARRANTY, THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE THIRD TIME THE DEALER WASN'T SUCCESSFUL WITH FINDING THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED FORD HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE/1//03 VEHICLE STALLED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR. BUT ON SATURDAY JUNE/21/03, VEHICLE STALLED, AND TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALER. *AK
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME STUCK TOGETHER DURING AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP. THERE WAS A HARD RAIN AND WE WERE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE WITH MANY OTHER PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM. WE WERE FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE WIPER BLADES FROM ONE ANOTHER. WE THEN PROCEEDE…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME STUCK TOGETHER DURING AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP. THERE WAS A HARD RAIN AND WE WERE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE WITH MANY OTHER PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM. WE WERE FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE WIPER BLADES FROM ONE ANOTHER. WE THEN PROCEEDED TOWARD OUR DESTINATION WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. UPON OUR RETURN HOME OUR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL SEEMED VERY DISINTERESTED AND SIMPLY REPLACED THE BLADES WITH CHEAP REFILLS. WE WERE TOLD THAT NEW WIPER BLADES WERE BEING ORDERED BUT WE HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM ANYONE (ONE MONTH LATER). WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCATIONS BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THEIR SERVICE AFTER THE SELL IS EXTREMELY LOUSY TO SAY THE LEAST! STILL WAITING
2003 DODGE CARAVAN IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE! MY NEW CARAVAN HAD A RECALL FOR A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOISY, RUFF RUNNING, AND IT DOES NOT GET 21-27 MILES PER GALLON AS ADVERTISED!! 12 MILES PER GALLON IS MORE REALISTIC. BE WARNED! THIS VAN IS TERRIBLE. LOOK AT OTHER VANS DO NOT BUY OR LEASE THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN BRO…
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2003 DODGE CARAVAN IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE! MY NEW CARAVAN HAD A RECALL FOR A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS NOISY, RUFF RUNNING, AND IT DOES NOT GET 21-27 MILES PER GALLON AS ADVERTISED!! 12 MILES PER GALLON IS MORE REALISTIC. BE WARNED! THIS VAN IS TERRIBLE. LOOK AT OTHER VANS DO NOT BUY OR LEASE THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF CHRYSLER AND MAROONE DODGE AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. GO ELSEWHERE! THEY ARE NOT 5 STAR THEY SUCK! *NLM
I WAS JUST MADE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAS THE GEN. 3 SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR SEATS. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND THEIR SAFETY IS IMPERATIVE. MY 4 YEAR OLD SON HAS ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED MY 2 YEAR OLD'S CAR SEAT AT LEAST TEN TIMES, OPENING THE GEN 3 SEAT BELT...THEREBY MAKING MY DAUGHTER UNSAFE. *NLM
I AM WRITING IN RESPONSE TO A REPORT THAT WAS FEATURED ON THE NEWS ON 4/27/03 CONCERNING THE GEN 3 SEAT BELTS ON CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES. I WAS VERY ALARMED AT THE INFORMATION THAT THESE SEAT BELTS CAN EASILY BECOME UNLATCHED WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE SUCH AS AN ELBOW OR DRINK CONTAINER. THE REPORT ALSO SHOWED THE "BALL TEST…
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I AM WRITING IN RESPONSE TO A REPORT THAT WAS FEATURED ON THE NEWS ON 4/27/03 CONCERNING THE GEN 3 SEAT BELTS ON CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES. I WAS VERY ALARMED AT THE INFORMATION THAT THESE SEAT BELTS CAN EASILY BECOME UNLATCHED WITH MINIMAL PRESSURE SUCH AS AN ELBOW OR DRINK CONTAINER. THE REPORT ALSO SHOWED THE "BALL TEST" WHICH EASILY DISENGAGED THE SEAT BELT. THERE WERE SEVERAL OWNERS OF VEHICLES FEATURED, INCLUDING A WOMAN WHO LOST HER HUSBAND IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN HIS GEN 3 SEAT BELT UNLATCHED DURING AN ACCIDENT AND HE WAS THROWN 30 FEET. CHRYSLER HAS INSISTED THAT THE SEAT BELT MEETS ALL SAFETY STANDARDS, HOWEVER IT WAS REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED THE SEAT BELTS IN SOME OF THEIR NEWER MODEL CARS, INCLUDING THE FRONT SEAT, BUT NOT THE REAR SEAT OF THE CARAVAN, I QUESTION WHY THEY WOULD CHANGE THE BELT IF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I FEEL A SERIOUS INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES. *NLM
Official recalls
305V134000 · 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
1DP14002 · 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