Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased my Dodge Grand Caravan sport 2003 brand new off the lot in nov. 2002. I kept it in mint condition with all maintenance logs filled out. At the time of incident there were only 95,000 miles on the van. It had never been in a wreck before. On jan 18 2015 while driving in the mountains I hit black ice and lost control of the vehicle. It flipped front to back, did a 180 mid air, landed on wheels then rolled at least once to the left, landing on the wheels again. The airbags never deployed. My passenger and I both had our seatbelts on however I still lifted up and hit my head on the roof and the windshield. We are still assessing our injuries. I am extremely concerned as to how I lifted out of my seat, basically the seatbelt did not tighten to me. Also why didn't the airbags deploy? Has there been a recall concerning the airbags or seat belts or other that I was never informed of?
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.
I had the clockspring in my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan replaced (after the warranty expired) somewhere around 40,000 miles. The clockspring caused my steering wheel to lock up when turning a corner. The dealer repaired the clockspring along with a related airbag component they said was also needed. This repair work was done at the dealership in July of 2004. On September 29th,2004 I was involved in a collision with a woman who ran a red light. I was in my Dodge Grand Caravan with my 4 children (14,10,6,and 5). There was extensive frontal damage to my car and my car went through a chain link fence following the impact. Myself and my children were injured in the accident and I am curious as to why this airbag (that I just had replaced) did not go off during the impact.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the vehicle struck a cow. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. There was prior braking and the impact was on the grill. There was a police report taken at the scene, but there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop.
Driving to meet my husband. I was on a highway I got up to 60 MPH. My van started losing the instrument panel. At first only a little bump (ding) then as I continue driving I lost the whole instrument panel intermittently and the wind shield wipers came on and sprayed wiper fluid and all lights would not work. When I got the panel back it would leave the air bag light on. It had no effect on the rest of the engine. I had something similar happen before and it was a dead battery. I went and had both battery and alternator tested they are fine. It has not happened again but it had happened at least every 2 weeks for 6 months with no answers. This is the first time it completely lost the instrument panel but not the first time it would lose 5 MPH or so on the instrument panel and nothing to the engine. I am going crazy thinking my car is possessed! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact tested and replaced the battery, but the vehicle failed to successfully restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility. The mechanic stated that the pc module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the horn would continuously activate. The mechanic disabled the horn and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
After the vehicle was started, airbag indicator stayed on for couple of minutes and goes off. After few minutes it comes back on. The cycle keeps repeating as long as the vehicle is in operation. Because the air bag is required for safety, I took the vehicle to the dealer and they diagnosed the problem as open clock spring and replaced the clockspring. Based on recall history of Dodge Grand caravans related to airbag indicator, I felt that the probem still exists with airbag indicator in 2003 Dodge grandcaravan sport vehicle.
Problem began with airbag light illuminating intermittently when turning left and steering column noise occurred at the same time. Currently airbag light stays illuminated, with periodic steering column noise. This appears to be the same symptoms that resulted in a clockspring recall on minivans aged 1998-2000. Called dealer and was quoted $250-300 to repair. Seems this is a safety issue still and should be covered at no charge. Have also submitted complaint to daimler/Chrysler as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that immediately after parking the vehicle in a residential garage, the air bags inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 210,000.
Airbag complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, 11% of the model year's 219 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to air bags 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.