2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering4516.4%
- Electrical3312.0%
- Airbags248.8%
- Transmission238.4%
- Brakes176.2%
- Seat belts176.2%
- Engine176.2%
- Exterior lighting155.5%
- Interior & seats155.5%
- Body & structure145.1%
- Visibility134.7%
- Fuel system103.6%
- Driver assistance82.9%
- Tires & wheels72.6%
- Powertrain (other)62.2%
- Other / unspecified51.8%
- Suspension41.5%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning, the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V386000 (Steering) in 2004. The failure mileage was approximately 329,281.
THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY SERIOUS. FIRST, IN 2017 AS I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE, I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE ROAD, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS ONLY WITH EXTREME FORCE AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES THAT I KEPT FROM RUNNING THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL, AND DROPPING DOWN TO THE INTERSTATE BELOW. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND STOPPED ON THE OVERPASS UNTIL MY STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. YES, MY ENGINEER HUSBAND KEEPS UP WITH ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING THE BELTS. NEXT, WITH AN UNUSUALLY HEAVY RAIN THIS PAST WEEK, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PARKING FOR AN HOUR, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN WHEN I ATTEMPTED GO AGAIN. I RESTARTED THE CAR FIVE TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKED. ALL WEEK, DURING THAT HEAVY RAIN, THE STEERING LOCKED REGULARLY. THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALL OVER THE WEB. WOMEN AND CHILDREN EVERYWHERE ARE IN DANGER OF DYING FROM SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? IF YOU ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, THEN YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BEING SUED ALONG WITH CHRYSLER, FOR ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE UNCORRECTED.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY SERIOUS. FIRST, IN 2017 AS I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE, I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE ROAD, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS ONLY WITH EXTREME FORCE AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES THAT I KEPT FROM RUNNING THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL, AND DROPPING DOWN TO THE INTERSTATE BELOW. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND STOPPED ON THE OVERPASS UNTIL MY STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. YES, MY ENGINEER HUSBAND KEEPS UP WITH ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING THE BELTS. NEXT, WITH AN UNUSUALLY HEAVY RAIN THIS PAST WEEK, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PARKING FOR AN HOUR, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN WHEN I ATTEMPTED GO AGAIN. I RESTARTED THE CAR FIVE TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKED. ALL WEEK, DURING THAT HEAVY RAIN, THE STEERING LOCKED REGULARLY. THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALL OVER THE WEB. WOMEN AND CHILDREN EVERYWHERE ARE IN DANGER OF DYING FROM SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? IF YOU ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, THEN YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BEING SUED ALONG WITH CHRYSLER, FOR ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE UNCORRECTED.
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAN HAS HAD SOME SERIOUS SAFETY ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.I'VE HAD MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. WITH THIS CAN ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY THE PROBLEM BUT SOMETHING THE POWER CONTROL MODUAL OR WIRING HARNESS IS NOT OK. THE RADIATOR FANS DIDN'T WORK AS WELL AS THE POWER CONTROLS WINDOWS,HEAT,AC,RADIO, AND THE WIPERS ECT.THERE IS SPARKING COMING FROM THE CAR. WIRES HAD STARTED TO CATCH FIRE. AS WELL AS THE CAR OVERHEATING.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TRANSMISSION
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TUBES CARRYING COOLANT TO THE REAR HEATER RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK OUT OF THE SYSTEM. REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE. SOME WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS FORUMS 1) ABOUT THIS SAME FAILURE ON MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS (1999 - 2005) 2) HOW THE BRACKET MATERIAL IS DIFFERENT THAN THE TUBE, THEREBY CAUSING GALVANIC CORROSION 3) HOW CHRYSLER HAS SINCE CHANGED THE MATERIAL OF THE TUBES TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF GALVANIC CORROSION. THE REPAIR (TUBE REPLACEMENT) IS RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE, BUT POTENTIALLY MORE SO IF THERE IS COMPLETE DRAINAGE OF COOLANT, CAUSING ENGINE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *KB
SUMMARY - ROUGH SHIFT OR SLIP AT 1500-2000 RPM BEGAN AROUND 30,000 MILES. DODGE VISITS- 10/26/05 - 32,088 MILES - CLUTCH REPLACED. 11/30/05 - 33,179 MILES - "SPECIAL ORDER PART". 12/14/05 - 33,803 MILES - VALVE BODY. 12/20/05 - 33,920 MILES - TANS-AXLE REPLACEMENT. 03/31/06 - 36,709 MILES - QUICK LEARN RESET. 05/04/06 - 38,214 MILES - DODGE WOULD NOT EVALUATE UNLESS I PAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE OF $100. REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME PAPERWORK FOR THIS ATTEMPT AT REPAIR. I FEEL PROBLEM EXISTED AND WAS NOT FIXED SO SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $100 FOR FURTHER ATTEMPTS.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE GAS STATION AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON HIGHWAY 52 IN FLORIDA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME THAT HELD THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONTACT HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,071.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO ONE IN THAT SEAT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASES WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT! ADULTS AND OLDER CHILDREN HAVE PUT THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE BUT THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL, THE SEAT BELT WILL RELEASE AT RANDOM, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO HAVE TO CLICK IT INTO PLACE AGAIN. WHEN THE PASSENGER CLICKS THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE AND PULLS ON IT, IT EITHER STAYS IN POSITION OR RELEASES. IF IT STAYS IN POSITION, THEN WHILE DRIVING AND OR PARKED, THE SEAT BELT WILL SUDDENLY RELEASE. WHEN THE DRIVER HAD TO STEP HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID A DRIVER WHO STOPPED SUDDENLY, THE SEAT BELT RELEASED YET AT OTHER TIMES, THE SEAT BELT REMAINS IN PLACE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER OR NOT THE VAN IS IN GEAR OR PARKED, OR IF WE'RE STOPPED, MOVING, HIGHWAY DRIVING OR CITY DRIVING, THE SEAT BELT WILL RELEASE AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS HAD HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE TRIP. OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. THE DATE GIVEN IS THE MOST RECENT TIME THAT IT RELEASED ON ITS OWN. I HAD BEEN PARKED AND THEN WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHEN MY DAUGHTER'S SEAT BELT (PASSENGER SIDE) RELEASED ON ITS OWN. I STOPPED AND PUT THE VAN IN PARK THEN HAD HER CLICK IN PLACE AGAIN. WE BOTH PULLED ON IT AND SINCE IT DIDN'T RELEASE, WE CONTINUED OUR TRIP, PRAYING THAT IT WOULDN'T DISCONNECT AGAIN WHILE WE WERE DRIVING.
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? *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238,000.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SLEES LIMIT WAS 45 I WAS DOING 50 MD A DEER CAME OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT IT HEAD ON THW WHOLE FRONT ENDS OF MY CAR IS AT MY WINDSHIELD. IT WAS A VERY HARD IMPACT THAT BROUGHT ME TO A COMPLETE STOP M Y AIR BAGS DIS NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE WITH A IMPACT LIKE THAT
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT HEADLAMP STOPPED WORKING. IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER, AND HAS CONTINUED TO TURN ON AND OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HIGH BEAMS WORK OK. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH TWO DIFFERENT BULBS. WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF, I CAN TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE LEFT LIGHT HAS A SLIGHT DELAY TURNING ON. WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION ON, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. I CANNOT FIND ANY RELAYS OR FUSES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. TWO MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM, AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE WEB, BUT I CAN'T FIND ANY SOLUTIONS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED WHICH ALSO DECREASED THE VISIBILITY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN ON THE LOW BEAMS. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL CAME ON INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL UNIT HIMSELF, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE ELECTRICAL UNIT. THE CONTACT RETAINED THE ELECTRICAL UNIT FOR EXAMINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AFTER THE ELECTRICAL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 2012, AND IT CAME WITH THE BUILT IN CAR SEAT. AFTER USING THIS CAR SEAT FOR MY YOUNGEST SON, WE CAME TO REALIZE THAT THE SEAT IS BROKEN. THE ONE PLACE THAT IT CLIPS TO WAS BROKEN. THIS WAS NOT SAFE FOR MY SON, AND NOW THE SEAT WILL NOT EVEN FOLD DOWN TO GET TO THE BACK. ALL DODGE COULD SAY TO ME WAS THEY WERE SORRY BUT BASICALLY WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004. THE POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED FOR THE 1ST TIME 3 WEEKS AGO. THROUGH TRITHE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE 20AMP FUSE IN THE IOD SLOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY ONE TIME. I DISCUSSED THIS AT THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 GRAND CARAVAN. I CERTAINLY FIND THAT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE. I WILL BE APPROACHING THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN CONCERNING THE DOOR LOCKS VERY SOON. MAYBE THEY WILL RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGE SINCE IT IS AN INHERENT TROUBLE WITH THEIR AUTOMOBILE. *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE GAS STATION AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON HIGHWAY 52 IN FLORIDA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME THAT HELD THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SLEES LIMIT WAS 45 I WAS DOING 50 MD A DEER CAME OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT IT HEAD ON THW WHOLE FRONT ENDS OF MY CAR IS AT MY WINDSHIELD. IT WAS A VERY HARD IMPACT THAT BROUGHT ME TO A COMPLETE STOP M Y AIR BAGS DIS NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE WITH A IMPACT LIKE THAT
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE COVER WAS CLOSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (CENTURY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM, 13500 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, WENTZVILLE, MO 63385) WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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! WENT TO A NON DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT WAS NOT DOING IT RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T TELL ANYTHING. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND MANEUVERED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, WHERE THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS AND ABRASIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS BELIEVED TO BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V274000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE STALLS FOR A FEW SECONDS UPON FIRST ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES (ABOUT 1 OUT OF EVERY 4 REFUELS). SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. UPON DOING RESEARCH, WE HAVE LEARNED OF MANY COMPLAINTS ALREADY VOICED ABOUT A FAULTY VALVE. FOR REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/2014/09/10/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN-CHRYSLER-TOWN-AND-COUNTRY-STALLING-NHTSA/ HTTP://EN.ALLEXPERTS.COM/Q/CHRYSLER-REPAIR-807/F/STALLING-REFUELING.HTM HTTP://RICKSFREEAUTOREPAIRADVICE.COM/ENGINE-STALLS-AFTER-FILLING-TANK-CHRYSLER-MINIVAN/. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON US 30 BETWEEN AMES, IA AND BOONE, IA. THERE ARE GETTING READY TO DO CONSTRUCTIONS, SO THERE IS A LOT OF BUMPS FROM THE FROST AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE HAVE GOOD YEAR TIRES ON OUR VAN, AND THE BACK REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF AND WAS STARTING TO FRAY. THE TIRE DIDN'T BLOW THANK GOODNESS SINCE I NOTICED THIS ISSUE IN A PARKING LOT IN AMES, I RAN OVER AND BOUGHT A NEW TIRE. THESE TIRES HAD LESS THAN 10 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM, THE OTHER 3 LOOK NEW, BUT DUE TO A MANUFACTURE ERROR, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY CRASH. WE HAVE A GOOD YEAR INTREAGE TIRES ON. *TR
I PURCHASED 4 NEW BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SE200 BL 15/65R16 98T 65,000 MILE TIRES ON 11/30/09 AND ON THE WAY HOME FROM OKLAHOMA CITY THE FRONT LEFT TIRE SEPARATED. THE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME LOOSE FROM THE TIRE AND RUBBER WENT FLYING ALL OVER THE PLACE. THIS TIRE ONLY HAD APPROX 24,000 MILES ON IT AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATALITY HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO EASE OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 4/22/14*CN UPDATED 04/28/2014 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'VE HAD THREE BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN 2 YEARS (THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON 3/31/2006; THIS WAS THE BRAKE LINE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE SECOND WAS ON 11/22/2006; THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT PART WHICH I ORDERED FROM THE DEALERSHIP). THE BRAKE LINE ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BREAKS AND LEAKS FLUID WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT EACH OCCURRENCE. NOW, I HAVE HAD ANOTHER BRAKE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. IT WILL TAKE 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE NEW ONE TO ARRIVE. I WILL KEEP THE OLD ONE WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED. *TR
THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE SEALS TO BLOW OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND RACK I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE AT 58,000 AND NOW AT 91,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE FAILURE OF THE JOINTS PREVENTS A VEHICLE FROM PASSING INSPECTION AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
MY 2003 NEW DODGE CARAVAN HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED X3, AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED X1 THEN REPAIRED AGAIN X 2, REPLACED STARTER, WHEEL BEARING, TIE ROD & CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 30, 000 MILES AND IS ONLY AT 60, 000 MILES. THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL REPLACE OR REFUND THIS CAR STATED IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER LEMON LAW. MULTIPLE TIME LOST FROM TAKING IN THIS CAR TO BE FIXED ALONG WITH EXTRA MONEY SPENT TO GET RENTALS WHILE THIS CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2003 NEW DODGE CARAVAN HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED X3, AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED X1 THEN REPAIRED AGAIN X 2, REPLACED STARTER, WHEEL BEARING, TIE ROD & CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 30, 000 MILES AND IS ONLY AT 60, 000 MILES. THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL REPLACE OR REFUND THIS CAR STATED IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER LEMON LAW. MULTIPLE TIME LOST FROM TAKING IN THIS CAR TO BE FIXED ALONG WITH EXTRA MONEY SPENT TO GET RENTALS WHILE THIS CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .