Illustration2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO MY WIFE. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand 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
3150–75K
2575–100K
13100–150K
15150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
32 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL AND HESITATE WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND UP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD REPEAT ITSELF. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS HAD SHORTENED AND B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL AND HESITATE WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND UP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD REPEAT ITSELF. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS HAD SHORTENED AND BURNED OUT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMIATED AS WELL. UPDATED 12/29/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED WHICH ALSO DECREASED THE VISIBILITY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN ON THE LOW BEAMS. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED WHICH ALSO DECREASED THE VISIBILITY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN ON THE LOW BEAMS. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL CAME ON INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL UNIT HIMSELF, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE ELECTRICAL UNIT. THE CONTACT RETAINED THE ELECTRICAL UNIT FOR EXAMINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AFTER THE ELECTRICAL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT CONTROLS THE HEATER SMELLS OF BURNING AND WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON SMOKE BLOWS OUT THE HEAT VENTS, ALSO CAUSING THE HEAT TO GO OUT. WHEN THE WIRES WERE CHECKED THEY WERE ALL MELTED FROM BURNING. *TR
NIGHT DRIVING, HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS JUST GO OUT, COME BACK ON AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS. *TR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE. DOOR LOCKS AND SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS, AUTOMATIC REAR DOOR QUITE OPENING, TIRE SYSTEM RECALIBRATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT THE BIGGEST SAFETY PROBLEM IS THE BLINKERS QUITE WORKING OR EVEN WORSE, IF YOU PUT THE RIGHT BLINKER ON, THE LEFT SIGNAL STARTS BLINKING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
OCT 17 2007 MY VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE THIS. THE VAN WILL NOT START BUT EVERYTHING WORKED THAT NEEDING THE BATTERY. WHEN DROVE FOR 2SEC THE VAN JUST LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START. I CHECKED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND RELAYS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY CAN NOT FINED OUT. THEY WAS THINKING THE COMPUTER AND KEYS NEED TO RE…
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OCT 17 2007 MY VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE THIS. THE VAN WILL NOT START BUT EVERYTHING WORKED THAT NEEDING THE BATTERY. WHEN DROVE FOR 2SEC THE VAN JUST LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START. I CHECKED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND RELAYS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY CAN NOT FINED OUT. THEY WAS THINKING THE COMPUTER AND KEYS NEED TO REDONE. *TR
ALL OF MY VEHICLE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FLICKER. A VERY NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE INTENSITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS, MARKER LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS OCCURS WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.*AK
POWER CABLE FOR RADIATOR FAN WAS RUBBING AGAINST AC TUBING. CABLE WORE THROUGH CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT, FAILURE OF RADIATOR COOLING FAN RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. WIRE CABLE BUNDLE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND REROUTED TO PREVENT FUTURE VIBRATION EROSION OF CABLE BUNDLE.*JB
Official recalls
204V386000 · 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
3DP14002 · 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.