2003 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
219 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
49,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 169 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 219 complaints (9.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 50 | 22.8% |
| Braking behavior | 28 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 11.0% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 7.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 20 |
| Air Bags | 19 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 11 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Tires | 7 |
Electrical System: 21; Steering: 21; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 20; Air Bags: 19; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 11; Engine: 7; Seat Belts: 7; Tires: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 43 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 42 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 43; 25,000 to 49,999: 42; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 15
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 50 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2006 | 29 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 28; 2004: 39; 2005: 23; 2006: 29; 2007: 20; 2008: 14; 2009: 12; 2010: 14; 2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 7; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 50 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003863 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
NO DEFECT/INSUFFICIENT INFO-SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004574 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW ON 12/20/02. ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING CHECKED BY DEALER. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 1,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016855 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
UNSAFE GEN3 SEAT BELTS - REQUEST TO DEMAND THAT DAIMLERCHRYLER RECALL ALL VEHICLE TYPES THAT HAVE THE GEN3 SEAT BELTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018734 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
I HAVE A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE WITH THE MIDDLE CHILD BENCH SEATS. MY 4 YEAR OLD SON PUT HIS JUICE CUP DOWN BETWEEN HIM AND THE INFANT SEAT BUCKLED NEXT TO HIM. THE JUICE CUP HIT THE SEAT BELT RELEASE FOR THE INFANT SEAT AND RELEASED IT. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN. IF I HADN'T HEARD THE CLICK OF THE RELEASE , I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN MY 4 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS UNPROTECTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020583 · 2003-05-27 (May 27, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE - RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR WARRANTY SERVICE. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM, REMOVED TRANSMISSION, AND OVERHAULED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACING THE FRONT PUMP, SEALS AND FLUID. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 8,965 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020736 · 2003-05-30 (May 30, 2003)
CRACK IN SEAM SEAL ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. VEHICLE LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. EACH CRACK IS ABOUT TWO INCHES LONG AND AN EIGHTH INCH WIDE. WATER PATH TO INTERNAL FRAME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021039 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILURE - AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 40,289 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022063 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY (GOODYEAR INTEGRITY 215/70R15). *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022063 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V094000 · Structure
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V386000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2004-08-05 (August 5, 2004)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗