KnownCarProblems2003 Dodge Caravan Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Caravan, most often about the steering (21% of complaints, typically around 35,000 miles). It is 6th of 18 Caravan model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Dodge Caravan problems
Steering
41 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion, linkages.
Dt: contact owns a 2003 Dodge grand Caravan sport. Over a period of one year has had a steering problem. While driving the vehicle there is a whining noise that appears to come from the steering. This happens every time the vehicle is started and continues for approximately 8 minutes. The noise gets louder as the…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. The contact heard a loud noise coming from underneath the hood. The noise becomes louder when the vehicle is cold. The dealer stated that the power steering pump was defective and replaced the lines on the power steering pump. However, the dealer failed to replace the power…
Brakes
35 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, drum, conventional.
When braking at any speed consumer would have to pump the brakes to decelerate the vehicle. Dealership repaired vehicle 5 times, but the the same problems recurred.
Emergency brake will not engage. Looks like something is locked up inside the rear drum resulting in brakes to engage with high force with just light brake pedal pressure.
Electrical
29 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, instrument cluster/panel.
Took my 2003 Dodge Caravan in for an oil changes and was informed by the dealership (after hearing a knocking noise) that the followings things need to be replaced on the van that on has 51,000 miles on it: steering rack and front sway bar bushings along with the alternator and belt.
2003 Dodge Caravan thought it was great had little problems that I never thought much of until now, now that my vehicle has been in a shop and unusable for about 8 weeks. The horrible noise it made when starting it, the gear shift moving on occasion and the brake pedal going all the way to the floor until a slight…
Transmission
22 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. While attempting to turn the vehicle at 5 MPH, the contact heard a sound for the first ten minutes of driving, and then it would stop. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer, but the failure persists. The failure mileage was 18,380. Updated 05/20/08. The consumer had problems with…
Engine
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
My 2003 Dodge Caravan had a faulty bearing in the alternator which required complete replacement with only 47,000 miles on the vehicle. I am a long-time Dodge owner, having owned and driven two Dodge omnis, two Dodge dakota pick-ups and this is my second Caravan, the first went 110,000 miles. I have never needed to…
Dt: the contact stated vehicle stalled every time tha he applied the brakes in cold temperatures. The dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted.
Air bags
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan and all of a sudden when I slow down the air bag light comes on. I took it in to the dealer and they said it was the clock spring. After doing some research online, I am 1 of thousands of people with this issue.
On november 2, 2006 my wife (7 months pregnant) was hit head on by another sedan. She was driving a 2003 Dodge Caravan. I believe that air bags deployment and vehicle design may have been the cause of serious broken arms/wrist and foot. In addition to wife's injuries, three other passengers also suffered broken limbs…
Fuel system
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while traveling 50 MPH the accelerator was depressed, but the vehicle failed to maintain current speed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic. The manufacturer had not been contacted, and the vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 95,968 and…
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that when adding fuel to the vehicle, gasoline would spill out onto the ground. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the control valve for…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 11,500 miles. Parts named most often: hub, tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
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. 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.…
We experienced a sidewall blowout of a bridgestone turanza el42 (21565r16 98t) on our 2003 Dodge Caravan (only 20,800mi) when I drove to the home. When I check other tires. I found a same problem on another tire --- few cracks on the sidewall.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Dodge Caravan recalls
Doors and locks: lock
Risk: In the event of a crash, an unbelted passenger could be ejected from the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain minivans, the power liftgate (plg) latch may not engage the striker allowing the liftgate to open while driving.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall after refueling
Summary
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
Questions about the 2003 Dodge Caravan
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (41 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles); brakes (35 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles); electrical (29 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 6, 2005 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Dodge Caravan?
- It is 6th of 18 Caravan model years by number of complaints, with 195 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.