2003 Dodge Caravan problems
Owners have filed 252 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 17.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 13.9%.
Complaints252
Crashes16
Fires6
Injuries30
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Steering 17.5% · 44
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.9% · 35
Electrical system 11.5% · 29
Power train 8.7% · 22
Engine and engine cooling 6.7% · 17
Air bags 5.6% · 14
Fuel system, gasoline 4.4% · 11
Exterior lighting 4.0% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 16 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire, 30 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Dodge Caravan in this data, 2003 sits 17th by complaint volume. 1996 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 10 in the last three years against 7 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 40,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. The contact heard a loud noise coming from underneath the hood. The noise becomes louder when the vehicle is cold. The dealer stated that the power steering pump was defective and replaced the lines on the power steering pump. However, the dealer failed to replace the power steering pump. The current mileage is 51,000 and failure mileage was 35,000. Steering · reported at 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. While driving over a bump or making a turn at any speed, the contact could hear a thumping noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer informed him that the steering rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle has been diagnosed twice by the dealer for the same failure. The current mileage was 51,000 and failure mileage was 48,000. Steering · reported at 48,000 miles
My new 2003 Dodge Caravan se has a pronounced bias to the left when driving at speed on an interstate highway. I believe this has both safety and tyre wear implications. My local good year dealer said it's a problem with vehicle alignment after putting the car up on a lift. The dealer has said it's a problem with the tyre. The car will be serviced at the dealr on 11/14/2003. Steering · reported at 50 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…