Most common 2003 Dodge Caravan problems
Share of the 195 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Caravan complaints by model year
Best Caravan years: 2014, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2005, 2000, 2008, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2003 Dodge Caravan recalls (3)
Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
On certain minivans, the power liftgate (plg) latch May not engage the striker allowing the liftgate to open while driving.
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.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
Structure
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Dodge Caravan:
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.NHTSA evaluated the…
What 2003 Dodge Caravan owners say
Steering all 41 →
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge grand Caravan. The driver of the vehicle was a quadriplegic who had a wheelchair installed in the vehicle by manufacturers named independent driving vehicle. Braun, another manufacturer helped to produce vehicle equipment that would allow the driver to sit in a wheelchair while driving. The vehicle crashed after hitting a curb and driving over an entrapment. As a result, the driver (the quadriplegic) was killed. A police report was filed. A witness to the crash stated that the vehicle was heading toward a three-way intersection and instead of going either left or right, the vehicle drove straight ahead. The cause of the crash had not been determined and the vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.
Brakes all 35 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. The contact confirmed that the driver was traveling 5-10 MPH when the brakes were depressed and failed to stop he vehicle. The contact crashed into the front of another vehicle. There were no injuries and the police were not contacted. The vehicle was taken the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the rear brake and master cylinders needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current was 100,671.
Dt: the contact experienced a problem with the anti lock brakes including extended stopping distance. This failure resulted in a rear end accident at a red light when the brakes completely failed. She took the vehicle to a dealer, who could not duplicate the problem. She took the vehicle to an independent repair shop that discovered there was an incorrect alignment of the brake system. After the dealer installed a new brake system there have been no further problems.
Electrical system all 29 →
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. …
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.
2003 Dodge Caravan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Caravan a good car?
Based on 195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Caravan rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Caravan at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
The steering — 41 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist system. Next are the brakes (35) and electrical system (29).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2003 Dodge Caravan, the most recent from April 6, 2005 (lock). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Caravan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2000, 2008, 1996 and 1997. See the full Dodge Caravan years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Caravan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 63% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.