Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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 NHTSA 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.
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.
The consumer had several problems with his 2003 Dodge Caravan; such problems were a knock in the transmission and 2 brake jobs. The two brakes jobs occurred within one year. The steering wheel knocked (recall campaign #04V386000), the vehicle had broken down at 8K miles, the wheel alignment was off, the gear panel illuminated, and the window had become loose. 80% of the vehicles problems was under 10K miles. The rotation noise continued and the rubber lining around the sliding door was coming off. Other problems: when the vehicle would be taken out of park to drive, all of the lights would illuminate, the front rims/hub caps were dirty due to excessive leakage around the brakes, even during normal washing, there was a mild ringing noise in the vehicle, the front door rattled, the rear tail lamp was damaged, the brake light and back-up lights had gone out, the brakes were going bad …
Dt: contact owns a 2003 Dodge grand Caravan sport. Over a period of one year has had a steering problem. While driving the vehicle there is a whining noise that appears to come from the steering. This happens every time the vehicle is started and continues for approximately 8 minutes. The noise gets louder as the steering wheel is turned, and feel a slight vibration underneath the driver's side floorboard. This is more noticeable when he turns the wheel. The service dealer replaced two power steering pumps, and provided a replacement of the rack and pinion, the last time at the service dealer they replaced a power steering hose and installed an nc for customer satisfaction. None of the replacements or repairs has remedied the problem. The cost of repairs has been covered 50/50 by the consumer and the dealership. The manufacturer referred him to the local service dealer. …
Solution to: odi case number: 10218207 details: 2003 Dodge Caravan. Whining noise when engine is first started. Sounds like power steering pump. Checked fluid, but level is fine. No leaks anywhere. Mechanic can find no apparent problem. In warmer weather the noise is diminished, but still present. I purchased vehicle new. It has 71,000 miles. I tried a power steering conditioner that is suppose to stop whining. The whining worsened for a while. Never got better. From personal knowledge there is a flaw in the design in the filling tank design for the power steering on this van. Fill with power steering fluid above the full mark to the bottom of the fill tube on top but just below the filler cap plug when put back on. This will stop all noise from the power steering pump.
My 2003 Dodge Caravan, with 40K miles, went to the shop today for new tires. At that time I also asked that the front end alignment be checked and corrected, if necessary. A short while later I was contacted by the manager stating that they could not do a front end alignment due to the tie rod ends being so loose and worn out. We live on a paved road. The vehicle was never in a front collision or even hit a curb, to my knowledge. The vehicle is now parked awaiting new tie rod ends. I can't believe that Chrysler would put such junk on a car in such a critical safety area. I wonder how many more Dodge Caravan's have a similar serious problems?
Dt*: the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a noise was heard and continued for 20 minutes. The noise returned on every restart. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the power steering pump reservoir and piping needed to be replaced. Updated 10/17/2006 - the consumer explained that the noise was from the power steering pump design location and installation by Dodge when the vehicle was built. A service bulletin was issued for the noise problem but it was never recalled. The system design did not allow power steering fluid to return from the fluid reservoir to the pump as quickly as the pump demand required.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. While attempting to turn the vehicle at 5 MPH, the contact heard a sound for the first ten minutes of driving, and then it would stop. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer, but the failure persists. The failure mileage was 18,380. Updated 05/20/08. The consumer had problems with the power steering, transmission, rear lights that were hanging, the rear wiper came off, the sliding door did not shut properly. The clockspring was replaced. The engine light was on, the water pump was coming apart the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket were leaking. Updated 05/20/08.
Related recalls
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.
Steering complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge Caravan, 21% of the model year's 195 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Caravan steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-386 (hose, piping, and connections, Aug 5, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Caravan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries and 1 death to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.