Model year record
The 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan has 3 safety recalls and 219 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (45 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SteeringRack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections | 45 | 40,000 mi |
| Electrical systemHorn; Alternator/generator/regulator | 32 | 84,925 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 29 | 22,000 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; On-off switch assembly | 24 | 90,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light | 18 | 25,355 mi |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights; Tail lights | 17 | 52,275 mi |
| StructureBody › Roof and pillars; Body › Door | 16 | 97,585 mi |
| Seat beltsRear/other; Integrated child seat | 15 | 36,000 mi |
| VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield | 12 | 68,990 mi |
| Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Tailgate › Latch | 10 | 7,494 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys | 10 | 46,640 mi |
| Tires | 7 | 26,000 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning, the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V386000 (Steering) in 2004. The failure mileage was approximately 329,281.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING PIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 367,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238,000.
THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY SERIOUS. FIRST, IN 2017 AS I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE, I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE ROAD, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS ONLY WITH EXTREME FORCE AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES THAT I KEPT FROM RUNNING THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL, AND DROPPING DOWN TO THE INTERSTATE BELOW. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND STOPPED ON THE OVERPASS UNTIL MY STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. YES, MY ENGINEER HUSBAND KEEPS UP WITH ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING THE BELTS. NEXT, WITH AN UNUSUALLY HEAVY RAIN THIS PAST WEEK, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PARKING FOR AN HOUR, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN WHEN I ATTEMPTED GO AGAIN. I…
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO ONE IN THAT SEAT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASES WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT! ADULTS AND OLDER CHILDREN HAVE PUT THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL, THE SEAT BELT WILL RELEASE AT RANDOM, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO HAVE TO CLICK IT INTO PLACE AGAIN. WHEN THE PASSENGER CLICKS THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE AND PULLS ON IT, IT EITHER STAYS IN POSITION OR RELEASES. IF IT STAYS IN POSITION, THEN WHILE DRIVING AND OR PARKED, THE SEAT BELT WILL SUDDENLY RELEASE. WHEN THE DRIVER HAD TO STEP HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID A DRIVER WHO STOPPED SUDDENLY, THE SEAT BELT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE COVER WAS CLOSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (CENTURY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM, 13500 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, WENTZVILLE, MO 63385) WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE GAS STATION AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON HIGHWAY 52 IN FLORIDA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME THAT HELD THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
DURING A MARCH 2016 ROAD TRIP TO ATLANTA, GA, FROM MICHIGAN, WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH ON I-75, TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE BEGAN TO CLIMB TOWARD THE RED ZONE ON THE INSTRUMENT DIAL. WITHIN MINUTES I PULLED OFF ONTO A HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION SITE WHERE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. OPENING THE HOOD, I BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM(S). COOL UPPER RADIATOR HOSE. COOL RADIATOR CAP. TURNED CAP OFF AND DISCOVERED NO COOLANT IN RADIATOR. NO APPARENT SOURCE OF LEAKING. ADDED ICE WATER FROM ICE CHEST TO RADIATOR HOPING TO LOCATE SOURCE OF LEAK. TURNED ENGINE ON AND LOCATED LEAK BENEATH PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE: TWO SMALL HOLES IN CORRODED EXPOSED STEEL TUBING ROUTING…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
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…
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.
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.