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2003 Chrysler Town and Country problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country is steering, typically around 53,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Town and Country model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
80/100
Owner complaints
245
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
79
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
17-21mpg

The worst 2003 Chrysler Town and Country problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country

Stalling 21Headlights 17Steering noise 11Airbag light 10Loss of power 9Grinding brakes 8Fire or smoke 8No deployment 7Wipers 7Check engine light 6Power steering loss 6Whining noise 6Won't start 6Knocking 5Shudder 5

Recalls 2

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lockReported April 6, 2005 · 70,235 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans, the power liftgate (plg) latch may not engage the striker allowing the liftgate to open while driving.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V134000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported August 5, 2004 · 681,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 04V386000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country

Defect investigations

Engine Stall After RefuelingOpened September 5, 2014, closed April 6, 2015

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.the federal safety agency 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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the Agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.This action does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency 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

DP14002

Power liftgate latchOpened November 22, 2004, closed April 7, 2005

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.

EA04031

Power liftgate latchOpened July 30, 2004, closed November 22, 2004

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.

PE04054

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country 79

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 79 bulletins for the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country

2003 Chrysler Town and Country fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD182521
3.3L 6‑cylFWD16-1723-2419-20
3.8L 6‑cylFWD162319
3.8L 6‑cyl4WD142117

What 2003 Chrysler Town and Country owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · KY

While driving the van in town it completely shut off. I was driving straight at 35 mph. It would not restart and had to be towed to service garage. When it shut off the first time all of the dash warning lights came on for a second then shut off. The garage said the ignition switch had to be replaced and the main computer. Then the Chrysler dealership had to flash the computer. They said they did and I drove the van 20 miles at 55 mph and it shut off again. No codes were shown when tested. I was able to get it started again after 20 minutes of sitting and tried to drive it again and it kept shutting off while driving 65 mph on the interstate. After several shut offs and finally getting it restarted I was able to get the van to a safe place to have it towed. Now it sits in my driveway because I am afraid to try and drive it again and get into a wreck when it shuts off because there is no warning at all. It just shuts off like someone turns off the key. This is a big safety issue and I am amazed it has not been addressed. I have seen a lot of people posting about their exact same issue with this van.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · MN

Electrical issuses illinois and indianna police rports vehicle shut down on the road

Filed Sep 9, 2024 · Electrical · WV

Quit starting

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine, Steering · SC

Power steering failure and water pump failure smoking under hood and power steering fluid all on the exhaust system almost caught fire.

Filed Mar 29, 2021 · AZ

Vehicle poor design on the alternator bracket. Can't find a brand new part and every used part I find it has the exact same break in the same spot.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 134,553 miles · NC

The airbag on the passenger side blew up. On robin hood rd when car was almost stopped for a traffic light on buena vista rd. When the airbag blew up with my daughter-in-law in that seat. Calling chrysler they said there was no recall on it and they would do nothing because of the age of the car. A month earlier I spent $2000 on repairs on this car and now it is useless. Starting the car it smells like it's going to catch on fire. The car was in motion and almost at a complete stop for a traffic light when the airbag exploded which was very scary. When I first called chrysler they ask the location of the car and LED me to believe someone from chrysler would examine the the van and then a week later calling I found out they were denying anything because of the age of the car. I am a senior citizen and this isn't fair as I have kept up repairs on the car and it's obvious that there are no dents or that has not been in any traffic accidents.

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Electrical · GA

Sometimes the tailgate after opening will immediately close and there is no way to stop it. Then it won't stay open. The left side sliding door doesn't open with remote and the remote lock/unlock doesn't work. I have talked to several people who have the same problem with their vehicle (same year). Someone could get crushed by this.

Filed Apr 5, 2018 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town and country. While driving unknown speeds, the contact heard an abnormal rumbling noise while shifting gears. Prior to the failure, an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls and referred her to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Dec 18, 2017 · Airbags · 104,000 miles · WI · 1 injury

Please note that my mother's airbag detonated on it's on while she was driving home. She had brought the vehicle in twice as you can see from the attached documentation. Gandrud and chrysler are refusing to repair the faulty air bag. My mother's car is not drive-able without a horn per our understanding and a danger to her without said air bag. We need your help as these seems to be such an injustice especially when she is not going after them for damages to her for being whipped around in her car. She just wants her car repaired and the defective airbag replaced. We pray you can help us get answers.

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Airbags, Body · 120,000 miles · NC · crash · 5 injuries

Hello my name is [xxx] I am a survivor of a car crash I was on the way from picking my son up from school driving a man in front of me was drunk driving and as a mother I swerved to protect my son from getting hit which I didn't know was I actually didn't save him he suffered from multiple brain injuries and fractured bones in his face broken ribs he later died from the airbags not deploying in my 2003 chrysler town and country lx his seatbelt didn't protect him and he was thrown out of the van. I have been trying and trying to get chryslers attention don't know why airbags didn't deploy. My son's name is [xxx] born august 18 2008 died on my birthday january 29th 2016 I just want justice for my son. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr see also odi 10872127.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country before you buy

Compare the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country

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Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016

Questions about the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country

Is the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?

Owners have filed 245 complaints about the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country, fewer than a typical Town and Country model year.

What is the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country year score?

The 2003 Chrysler Town and Country scores 80 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chrysler Town and Country: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country?

Steering, with 52 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles. Next is electrical (40).

How many recalls does the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country have?

2 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages and steering.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country steering?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V386000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chrysler Town and Country have bad steering?

The Chrysler Town and Country model years with the most steering complaints are 2010 (128 complaints), 2005 (121 complaints) and 2006 (110 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country range from 17 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 25 highway.

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