Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 195 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Dodge Caravan. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 195 · page 1 of 8
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.
AFTER REFUELING ENGINE DIES WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. HAPPENED LAST THREE TIMES AFTER REFUELING.
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. THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $1500 AND ALSO TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION ALREADY REBUILT AND (4) LOOSE BOLTS ON PUMP SEAL, ALSO HAD A "PRE OWNED" USED? WRECKING YARD TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH WAS PAINTED BLACK INDICATING THE REBUILD OCURRED. HE ALSO STATED HOW THE 2 FRONT HALF SHAFTS (AXELS) WERE WORN OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THOSE, ABOUT $250. IT HAS BAD POWER STEERING PUMP-AND GROANING NOISES CURRENTLY (UNSAFE CONDITION) JUST LIKE WHEN I GOT IT (32.3K MILES) VEHICLE HAS A BAD AIR CONDITIONER NOT UNSAFE. *I HAVE JPEG PHOTOS AND RECEIPS FOR PARTS,AXELS, TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND FLUID I HAD TO BUY TO KEEP FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR COMPLAINT SENT TO WASHINGTON DOL , JOSH IS THE CONTACT.
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. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUING ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. I HAVE SEEN THAT OTHER YEAR MODELS WERE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER? IT COULD BE A SIMPLE FIX BY MOVING WIRES AWAY FROM EXHAUST BUT YOU ARE UNAWARE THAT, IT'S A ISSUE, UNTIL IT HAPPENS. BECAUSE IT NOT A VISIBLE HARNESS THAT YOU CAN SEE JUST BY RAISING HOOD.IT'S ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS THAT YOU REALLY GET TO LOOKING AND THAT'S WHEN YOU SEE IT MELTED AND BURNED WITH STRONG ODOR COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD WHEN WE CHECKED IT. ALSO CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS HOT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A CONSUMER EXPENSE WHEN IT HAPPENS. DUE TO WIRES TO CLOSE TO EXHAUST IT SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE FOR DODGE, SINCE THIS IS DUE TO THEIR FAULT AND NOT THE CONSUMER, DODGE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR COST WHEN FUEL HARNESS WIRES MELTS AND ANY FURTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE WIRES SHORTENING OUT . THIS IS A DANGEROUS/SERIOUS ISSUE THAT I HOPE CAN BE ADDRESSED SOON...BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST.
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO MIDDAS HAD INSPECTION $200 LATER LIGHT STILL ON NO ONE KNOWS WHY SCARED IT'S GOING TO BUST WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD NO BUMPS
I HAD TIRE SEPERATION ON A FIRESTONE SUPREME SI. I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND APPARENTLY HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. WHY HASN'T THIS ISSUE BEEN RESOLVED?
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.
CPSC: I1530226A. 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER STATED THE CAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION NEITHER DID IT HIT ANYTHING. *LN
WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT TURN ALLOWING ME TO START THE CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO INSERT THE KEY PULL IT TOWARDS ME THEN INSERT A FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER IN THE KEY AND TAP 2 TO 3 TIMES THEN TURN THE KEY. I WORKS LIKE THAT EACH TIME BUT THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THOSE DESCRIBED IN TV ADS PROMPTING DANGER OF HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN UNSUSPECTING AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I HAVE READ TIME AND TIME AGAIN ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN MODULE OR COMPUTER GOING OUT ON THE DODGE 2003 CARAVANS AND SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL BY NOW? THE VAN RUNS BEAUTIFUL BUT WILL STOP AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING! WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE IT IS A RECALL? I WANT MY VAN FIXED BUT KNOWING THIS HAS BEEN AND STILL IS A PROBLEM WITH DODGE AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO CHOCK LIKE IT WAS GETTING NO GAS I DECIDED TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME BECAUSE I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO CELL SERVICE WHEN I STOPPED TO TURN AROUND A MAN THAT WAS BEHIND ME CAME RUNNING OVER TO GET ME OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT WAS ON FIRE IF IS WAS NOT FOR HIM I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR EVEN DIED THE CAR BURNED UP AND EXPLODED WITH IN TWO MINUTES OF ME GETTING OUT. THE CAR WAS FINE WHEN I STARTED IT THAT MORNING AND THE DAY BEFORE I DROVE IT ABOUT 100 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS CAN BE A CAT SHOULD JUST NOT GO ON FIRE LIKE THAT. THE CAR HAD TO BE JUNKED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF IT. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAD NO FIRE ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF ITS AGE SO NOW I AM OUT A CAR THAT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND I COULD HAVE HAD IT FOR MANY MORE YEARS. DODGE WILL NOT EVEN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER I HOPE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY AS ME TO GET OUT UNINJURED. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS AND AM WORRIED THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS CAR AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ONE NOW AND I LIVE 14 FROM THE NEAREST STORE. *TR
DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PARKWAY IN MARYLAND AT A CONSTANT SPEED IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL SECTION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT STEM BROKE NEAR ITS BASE. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IMMEDIATELY TURNED 90 DEGREES AND CAR SKIDDED TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE DRIVING LANE. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS (NO NOISE, VIBRATION, HANDLING CHANGES, ETC.) BEFORE THE FAILURE. ONLY BY LUCK WAS THERE NO ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAD NO PRIOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION AND NO PRIOR SERVICING (OTHER THAN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE - TIRE REPLACEMENT, BRAKE SERVICING, ETC.) HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT OR NEARBY PARTS. *TR
HORN BLASTS, WIPERS TURN ON , WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYS, FOUR WAY FLASHERS TURN ON. LASTED 3 MINUTES THEN IT ENDS. *TR
EVERY TIME IS DIFFERENT. ONE DAY THE HORN, LEFT DAYLIGHT, RIGHT BLINKER, RIGHT STOP LIGHT DON'T WORK; NEXT DAY ALL WORK FINE, THEN NEXT DAY: HORN, BLINKERS, LIGHT STOP WORKING AGAIN....CHECK UP FUSES, CHANGED BULBS . AND THIS GOES ON AND OFF...... *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IS NONE FUNCTIONAL DO TO A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. *TR
THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON NOR ARE YOU ABLE TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY WITH THE CHILD SAFETY SWITCH OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN THIS DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS THE DOOR MY SMALL CHILD IS ACCESSED THROUGH. APPARENTLY IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE TOO!!! I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A DEALER FIX IT. & THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION AVAILABLE. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,700. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE, DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. UPDATED 02/10/12*JB
WHEN IT IS RAINING OR ROAD IS WET THERE IS A TENDENCY TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING FOR A MOMENT , ONE TIME STEERING BECOME VERY STIFF CANNOT TURN RIGHT /LEFT , 2ND TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND IT WAS RAINING COULD NOT CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE HEADING FOR 10 - 20 SECONDS, THIRD TIME REPEATED WHAT HAPPEN 2ND TIME ON SAT 29 NOV 2011. *TR
THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER HAS LOCKED UP REPEATEDLY AND CAUSES SEVERE HEAT BUILD IN THE FRONT WHEEL WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY BUDDY'S WIFE'S VAN TOO ALSO THE BACK BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER SITTING THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS IS COMMON IN DODGES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,968 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,974. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION HARNESS WHICH WERE BARE AND HITTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ALSO, THE O2 SENSOR AND AC COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/31/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CONTROL VALVE FOR THE EVAP HAD FAILED AND WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. I THINK WE HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, WE MOVED THE VENT LINE OVER ABOUT 2", DRILLED A HOLE IN GAS TANK THEN GLUED THE VENT LINE IN HOLE. SORRY TO HAVE BOTHERED YOU! TW UPDATED 10/12/2011 *LN *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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