Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan sits mid-pack among Grand Caravan years: 289 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 361, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 31 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (45), electrical system (34), and transmission (29), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
289
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
3
Investigations
17
Crash-involved
7
Fires reported
31
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 45 | 16% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 34 | 12% | — flat |
| Transmission | 29 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 24 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 21 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 20 | 7% | — flat |
| Engine | 17 | 6% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 16 | 6% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 15 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 14 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 10 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 10 | 3% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 9 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 7 | 2% | — flat |
| Other | 6 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 4 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Child Seat | 4 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
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, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VEHICLES, CAN CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LEAK.
Consequence
A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
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. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WIX AT 704-864-6711.
Defect
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“POWER STEERING WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER WE GOT IT, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AFTER 4 VISITS BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK 6 MONTHS LATER THE NOISE IS BACK. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MINI VAN AND…”
“ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT CONTROLS THE HEATER SMELLS OF BURNING AND WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON SMOKE BLOWS OUT THE HEAT VENTS, ALSO CAUSING THE HEAT TO GO OUT. WHEN THE WIRES WERE CHECKED THEY WERE ALL MELTED FROM BURNING. *TR”
“DT: WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 AND IT VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE IS…”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A COW. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING AND THE IMPACT WAS ON THE GRILL. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. ”
“DT: WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 AND IT VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE IS…”
It is close to typical for the Grand Caravan: 289 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (45 complaints), electrical system (34 complaints), transmission (29 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.