2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
289 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 18/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 71,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2003 sits among all Grand Caravan years
What owners report
“My air bag light came on and horn stopped working was told by dealer it was the clock springs but its not included in the recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Grand Caravan
“Two tsb's that should have been done when the recall was done have now cost me $300.00 because chrysler does not feel responsible, since they were not part of the recall, even though they do deal with the steering,that is not covered by the warranty..i was told that the 2 updates are required on…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Grand Caravan
“At 9,000 miles, took van to dealer complaining of the transmission slamming into gear. Dealer performed a "quick learn" on the trans. And it was fine. At about 27,000, problem started again but this time they replaced the front pump. At 30000, same problem again, replaced transmission pump a second…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Grand Caravan
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 220 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 53,715 miles. Half of those reports fall between 26,000 and 94,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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.
Fix: 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.
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,…
Fix: 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.…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V134000.
Technical service bulletins
18 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and electrical — are on file for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2003 Grand Caravan TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
The 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan drew 289 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 18/100, scored against the model's worst year (1996).
What are the most common 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan are electrical (52 complaints), steering (45), and transmission & drivetrain (29).
At what mileage do 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan problems around 53,715 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 26,000 and 94,000 miles.
Does the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.