Driving down the highway at regular speed and engine compression shut down and vehicle stalled, as I barely coasted off to the side of the highway, as this situation was very dangerous..
The worst 2003 Dodge Caravan 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.
- Steering41
- Brakes35
- Electrical29
- Transmission22
- Engine19
- Airbags14
- Fuel system13
- Lights10
- Suspension8
- Tires8
- Visibility7
- Locks5
- Seat belts5
- Seats5
- Body4
- Wheels4
- Acceleration3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Dodge Caravan
Headlights 10Stalling 10Grinding brakes 9Whining noise 7Fire or smoke 6Wipers 6Steering noise 5
Recalls 3
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
- 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 connections
- 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
Structure
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 03V094000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2003 Dodge Caravan
Defect investigations
Engine Stall After Refueling
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Dodge Caravan 70
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Service
- Valve Body
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both...
- Part Description: Insulator in Lever Assembly
2003 Dodge Caravan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
What 2003 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH, the power steering started to fail which made the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the upper power steering cooler hose needing to be replaced. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v386000 (steering) which was previously performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
I was driving and hit a pot hole and the rear axle broke cause by cheap design rear axle support. After checking out you tube it is e common problem with dodge and chrysler vans. If this happened on the highway one can end up under a 18 wheeler.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. While driving 15 MPH and attempting to make a right or left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
After refueling engine dies when pulling out in traffic. Happened last three times after refueling.
I had already sent info to dol (below) on 03 caravan I from unlicensed dealer michael rankin. Please see complaint form inattachment -it's too long to add. They're in process of charging michael rankin on 12 counts for different vehicles sold,and asessing monetary fines. I have done transmission repairs to this postal fleet vehicle.according to experienced mechaniss at 32,300 miles the transmission had already been rebuilt -improperly. I'm complaining because I was stuck on fast moving arterial with leaking transmission (unsafe condition) because of improper repairs ,and could not move the vehicle in conjested traffic 1621-72nd st east,tacoma,wa 98404. Vehicle was stationary at that moment and at another different time when driving.this is the unsafe part. The mechanic charged me approximately $1500 and also told me it had transmission already rebuilt and (4) loose bolts on pump seal, also had a "pre owned" used? Wrecking yard torque converter which was painted black indicating the rebuild ocurred. He also stated how the 2 front half shafts (axels) were worn out and I had to replace those, about $250. It has bad power steering pump-and groaning noises currently (unsafe condition) just like when I got it (32.3k miles) vehicle has a bad air conditioner not unsafe. *I have jpeg photos and receips for parts,axels, transmission repair and fluid I had to buy to keep fluid in transmission. Please see attachment for complaint sent to washington dol , josh is the contact.
Fuel wiring harness is to close to exhaust caused melting of wires while going down the road. I noticed a burning smell in the cabin of caravan. It happened approx. A mile from my house at approx 45mph and a strong odor of gas was noticeable. This is a serious issue that needs to be corrected. Vehicle began to stall coming up drive way. We still have the caravan but have parked it. We believe when the melting occurred it caused other possible issues and are scared to have it fixed, not knowing what other issues this may have caused that we will not know until we are going down the road, it's not a risk I'm willing to take...especially with gas being flammable and shortening of fuel electrical wires. That's a fire in the making, it's not worth risking our lives or anyone else's on road. I have seen several other complaints on review pages and mechanics blogs/posts. This seems to be a continuing issue that has not been addressed. I have seen that other year models were recalled due to the same issue but not the 2003 dodge caravan sport. Can you please investigate this matter? It could be a simple fix by moving wires away from exhaust but you are unaware that, it's a issue, until it happens. Because it not a visible harness that you can see just by raising hood.it's only when you have problems that you really get to looking and that's when you see it melted and burned with strong odor coming out from under hood when we checked it. Also catalytic converter was hot this should not be a consumer expense when it happens. Due to wires to close to exhaust it seems to be a issue for dodge, since this is due to their fault and not the consumer, dodge should be held accountable for cost when fuel harness wires melts and any further damage caused by the wires shortening out . This is a dangerous/serious issue that I hope can be addressed soon...before a life is lost.
Was driving down the road air bag light came on took to middas had inspection $200 later light still on no one knows why scared it's going to bust was on a straight road no bumps
I had tire seperation on a firestone supreme si. I was traveling 70 MPH on the highway. Thankfully, no one was injured and there was no accident. This is very dangerous and apparently happens quite frequently. Why hasn't this issue been resolved?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the front driver side window made a loup popping noise when it was being rolled up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power window mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred later and the window dropped down into the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Compare the 2003 Dodge Caravan
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Questions about the 2003 Dodge Caravan
Is the 2003 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Owners have filed 195 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Caravan, 2.2 times a typical Caravan model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2003 Dodge Caravan year score?
The 2003 Dodge Caravan scores 40 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Caravan: 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 Dodge Caravan?
Steering, with 41 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles. Next is brakes (35).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have?
3 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages, steering and structure.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Dodge Caravan get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Dodge Caravan 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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