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2003 Dodge Grand CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 219 owner complaints about the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year31% below the Grand Caravan median · #24 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21931 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage40kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 10, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan has problems

219 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering450
Electrical system323
Power train281
Air bags246
Seat belts155
Exterior lighting150
Service brakes, hydraulic141
Structure143
Visibility121
18 other systems7710

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2003 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 04V-386 · Aug 5, 2004 · 681,000 vehicles

Risk. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do steering problems start?

40kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 34 steering complaints. 91% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
11under 30k miles31under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Grand Caravan year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Caravan median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Dodge Grand Caravan safety ratings

2003 Dodge Grand Caravan w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Dodge Grand Caravan frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Engine Stall After RefuelingDP14002 · closed Apr 6, 2015
    No recall
  2. POWER LIFTGATE LATCHEA04031 · closed Apr 7, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-134
  3. POWER LIFTGATE LATCHPE04054 · closed Nov 22, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Caravan owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11564617 · Jan 10, 2024 · 329,281 miles
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,…
Complaint 11152335 · Nov 18, 2018 · 238,958 miles
I AM THE VICTIM OF A FRAUDULENT CLOSE OUT OF A FACTORY RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX ONE OF THEIR OWN RECALLS ON A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THREE DEALERSHIPS TO TRY TO GET SATISFACTION. TWO OF THOSE HAVE SINCE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THE THIRD REFUSES TO HELP IN…
Complaint 10336715 · Jun 16, 2010 · 71,000 miles

Own a 2003 Grand Caravan?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.