2003 DODGE CARAVAN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
252
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
11
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
The 2003 DODGE CARAVAN has received a total of 252 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 11 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (20 complaints), Steering (19 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (13 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN, potentially affecting up to 897,522 vehicles.
Recall 10E034000 — EQUIPMENT
| 6,686 vehicles affected
Defect: CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE HITCH MAY FRACTURE OR BREAK AT THE BEND LOCATION WHERE THE MAIN BODY OF THE HITCH MEETS THE...
Consequence: IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT 1-715-831-8713.
View full details →Recall 08E048000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 11,534 vehicles affected
Defect: EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
View full details →Recall 08E039000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 2,520 vehicles affected
Defect: MAXZONE IS RECALLING 2,520 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 3341103L-AS AND 334-1103R-AS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2001-2007 DODGE CARAVAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: 1-888-286-1188 (WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, AZ, MT, WY, UT, CO, KS, NM, OK,...
View full details →Recall 06E022000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 7,440 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS...
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
View full details →Recall 05V134000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
| 70,235 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE THE STRIKER ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN UNBELTED PASSENGER COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.
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.
View full details →Recall 04V386000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
| 681,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
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.
View full details →Recall 03V094000 — STRUCTURE
| 3,674 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
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...
View full details →Recall 03E053000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 68,563 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
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...
View full details →Recall 03E045000 — EQUIPMENT
| 45,870 vehicles affected
Defect: AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER MAY EXPERIENCE MALFUNCTION OF THE QUICK CONNECTOR EITHER BLOCKING FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE OR CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE COULD STALL. ALSO, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 SHORT WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18232 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, OR 0252. REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 LONG WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
252 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT REGULAR SPEED AND ENGINE COMPRESSION SHUT DOWN AND VEHICLE STALLED, AS I BARELY COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AS THIS SITUATION WAS VERY DANGEROUS..
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.
I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A POT HOLE AND THE REAR AXLE BROKE CAUSE BY CHEAP DESIGN REAR AXLE SUPPORT. AFTER CHECKING OUT YOU TUBE IT IS E COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE AND CHRYSLER VANS. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY ONE CAN END UP UNDER A 18 WHEELER.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 11 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
1900403 — STEERING
STEERING SHUDDER. *TT
0802103 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) BRAKES MAY HAVE THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRAC OFF LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER (SKIM) MAY HAVE THE SECURITY/VTA LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TT
1800504 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NO-START, START & STALL MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0508/P0509. *TT
1802603A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE NO START (ENGINE WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER CYCLING THE IGNITION KEY), MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION WITH FALSE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P0016, P0116, P0335, P0339, P0340, P0462, P0498, P0499, P0522, P0622, P1604, P1681, P1686, P1698. *TT
0308 — TIRES
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CARGO VAN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) FITMENT. BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42+ 215/65R16 98T - ARTICLE # 122-076. THIS IS BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE TECHNICAL BULLETIN. *TT
2100403 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION TRANSFER GEAR WHINE SOUND. *TT
13 — POWER TRAIN
TRANSAXLE WIRING HARNESS CORROSION WHICH COULD CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) TO ILLUMINATE AND THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. *TT
2300103 — STRUCTURE:BODY
UPPER BODY SEAM SEAL WATER LEAK. *TT
02018 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER SLIDING DOOR AND/OR POWER LIFTGATE WILL POP OFF BUT NOT POWER OPEN. *TT
0802002 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
HEADLAMPS ON WITH WIPERS FEATURE IS INOPERATIVE WHEN THE CUSTOMER ENABLES THE FEATURE USING THE ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC) OR THE FEATURE IS ENABLED USING THE DRBIII. *TT
Showing 10 of 11 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the DODGE CARAVAN
- 1998 DODGE CARAVAN — 840 complaints
- 1999 DODGE CARAVAN — 745 complaints
- 2000 DODGE CARAVAN — 613 complaints
- 2001 DODGE CARAVAN — 341 complaints
- 2002 DODGE CARAVAN — 326 complaints
- 2003 DODGE CARAVAN (current)
- 2004 DODGE CARAVAN — 83 complaints
- 2005 DODGE CARAVAN — 691 complaints
- 2006 DODGE CARAVAN — 229 complaints
- 2007 DODGE CARAVAN — 115 complaints
- 2008 DODGE CARAVAN — 421 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints
- DODGE JOURNEY — 7,849 total complaints