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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

7 reports
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57,000 miles · May 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ADDED LESS THAN A FILL UP, THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 10-12 TIMES TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ADDED LESS THAN A FILL UP, THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 10-12 TIMES TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL CANISTER, FUEL PUMP AND THE GAS TANK IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10330144

60,000 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

WIFE WENT TO START CAR IN MORNING. LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHE LEFT VEHICLE. SHE SMELLED BURNT PLASTIC SMELL. I CHECKED LATER AND SAW EXPLODED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HOSE ON TOP OF ENGINE. OBVIOUS EXPLOSION IN ENGINE INTAKE AREA WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BLOW MANIFOLD INTO PIECES. CAR IS AT DEALER. THEY…

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WIFE WENT TO START CAR IN MORNING. LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHE LEFT VEHICLE. SHE SMELLED BURNT PLASTIC SMELL. I CHECKED LATER AND SAW EXPLODED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HOSE ON TOP OF ENGINE. OBVIOUS EXPLOSION IN ENGINE INTAKE AREA WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BLOW MANIFOLD INTO PIECES. CAR IS AT DEALER. THEY ARE WAITING FOR NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPAIR VEHICLE. UNCONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL HARM TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263218

48,000 miles · Dec 12, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO WORK WHEN IT SEEMED TO NOT BE GETTING ANY FUEL AT ALL. THE VAN THEN STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. VAN HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175994

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE CONTINUALLY HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH AIR IN THE TIRES. CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL ODOR. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS REGARDING FUEL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY COULD TELL HER WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY FOUND THAT BRAKE…

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CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE CONTINUALLY HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH AIR IN THE TIRES. CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL ODOR. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS REGARDING FUEL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER THREE TIMES BEFORE THEY COULD TELL HER WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY FOUND THAT BRAKES, AND ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10115608

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK VALVE JOINT SEPARATED FROM GAS TANK, CAUSING GASOLINE TO POUR OUT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10091722

12,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN DRIVING OVER SOME DEBRIS IN THE ROAD, THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10067300

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE SUDDENLY STOPPED DUE TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENSOR. (NAR) *PH *CB

NHTSA ODI #10066961

Official recalls

2

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

3

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

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.