2003 Dodge Grand Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 219 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (19% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 219 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2024
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2017
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2017
“Takata recall, my can has had some serious safety electrical issues for quite some time now.I've had many dangerous situations. With this can one thing after the next. I'm not sure exactly the problem but something the power control modual or wiring harness is not ok. The radiator fans didn't work as well as the power controls windows,heat,ac,radio, and the wipers ect.there is sparking coming from the car. Wires had started to catch fire. As well as the car overheating.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“I was driving down the road slees limit was 45 I was doing 50 md a deer came out in front of me and I hit it head on thw whole front ends of my car is at my windshield. It was a very hard impact that brought me to a complete stop m y air bags dis not deploy as they should have with a impact like that”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota corolla. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle damages were repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v043000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle erroneously accelerated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the transmission control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Updated 4/22/14*cn updated 04/28/2014 *js”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2014
“Driver side seat belt tongue could not be inserted into latch. The latch could not be opened, no matter how manipulated. This is safety hazard as the driver cannot latch seat belt. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE CARAVAN, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VEHICLES, CAN CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LEAK.
Remedy: WIX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WIX AT 704-864-6711.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Caravan by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 219 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most complained-about area is steering (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.