Model year record

2003 Dodge Caravan

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 252 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V134000

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
Manufacturer: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 70,235
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-04-06
Owners notified: 2005-04-26

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE THE STRIKER ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN UNBELTED PASSENGER COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER LIFTGATE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V386000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Component: Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 681,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-08-05
Owners notified: 2004-09-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V094000

Structure

Component: Structure
Manufacturer: SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS
Vehicles affected: 3,674
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-03-07
Owners notified: 2003-03-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	20	56,412 mi
Steering	19	36,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	13	18,380 mi
Engine and engine cooling	10	17,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	10	30,000 mi
Air bags	9	33,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	7	36,000 mi
Suspension	7	44,132 mi
Tires	7	20,776 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	6	—
Power train	6	17,755 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	6	11,800 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	6	18,380 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	5	19,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections	5	18,380 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	5	47,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	4	16,135 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	55,000 mi
Exterior lighting	4	18,380 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	4	52,850 mi
Equipment	3	61,200 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	3	25,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	3	36,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	3	—
Seats	3	18,250 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	3	35,000 mi
Structure	3	11,856 mi
Unknown or other	3	36,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	11,856 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	2	—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	47,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	70,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	5,097 mi
Engine	2	92,052 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	2	6,400 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	92,052 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	2	37,180 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly	2	7,051 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	2	11,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	2	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid	2	22,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	2	28,775 mi
Visibility/wiper	2	98,000 mi
Wheels	2	59,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	64,000 mi
Child seat: latch connector/clip	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	52,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	8,097 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	50,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	95,968 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	18,380 mi
Parking brake	1	—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical	1	40,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	34,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	9,365 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	9,000 mi
Seat belts	1	—
Seat belts: front	1	37,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	1	—
Service brakes	1	100,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	63,785 mi
Service brakes, air: drum: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	46,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	110,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	62,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system	1	100,000 mi
Structure: body: door	1	52,850 mi
Suspension: front	1	47,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	2,600 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	40,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	18,380 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	17,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	12,455 mi
Wheels: hub	1	1,500 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	—

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.