Is the 2003 Dodge Caravan a bad year?
195 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Caravan years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Dodge Caravan are in line with other Caravan years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Caravan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 35,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 41 (21%) | 27k–56k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 34 (17%) | 16k–60k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (11%) | 13k–57k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 16 (8%) | 20k–96k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 14 (7%) | 35k–76k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 29 (15%) | 40k–98k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 13 (7%) | 40k–104k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (5%) | 39k–100k miles · ahead | — |
| Equipment | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 35,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 195 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 13 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2003 Dodge Caravan: 9
When the hitch is loaded to the maximum rating, the hitch may fracture or break at the bend location where the main body of the hitch meets the hitch muffler strap. If the area in question fractures or breaks, this could cause an unstable driving condition, possibly resulting in a crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the lower beam photometry requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
On certain minivans, the power liftgate (Plg) latch may not engage the striker allowing the liftgate to open while driving. In the event of a crash, an unbelted passenger could be ejected from the vehicle.
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. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire.
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… A possible fire can occur in the presence of an ignition source.
Aftermarket replacement fuel filters manufactured between september 17, 2002, and january 20, 2003, sold under the brand names listed above. The filter may experience malfunction of the quick connector either blocking fuel flow to the engine or causing a fuel leak. If this condition occurred while the vehicle is in motion, the engine could stall. Also, in the presence of an ignition source, the fuel leak could result in a vehicle fire.
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… This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 11
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Dodge Caravan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine Stall After Refueling
Neighbouring years
2002 Caravan: 245 complaints, keep it · 2004 Caravan: 64 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Caravan year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · All Caravan years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Dodge Caravan a bad year?
195 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Caravan years. At 35,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (41), brakes (34), transmission and drivetrain (22), engine (16), air bags (14).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 10E034000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E048000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E039000), Brakes (NHTSA 06E022000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.