Is the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
219 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan are in line with other Grand Caravan years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
3th quietest of 20 Grand Caravan years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Grand 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 40,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 45 (21%) | 27k–70k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 28 (13%) | 4k–49k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 17 (8%) | 18k–64k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lighting | 15 (7%) | 38k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 14 (6%) | 29k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 10 (5%) | 13k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 32 (15%) | 54k–122k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 24 (11%) | 61k–130k miles · ahead | — |
| Engine | 15 (7%) | 47k–152k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 10 (5%) | 48k–115k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (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 40,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 219 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jan 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Tubes carrying coolant to the rear heater rusted through, causing coolant to leak out of the system. Repair was not covered by extended warranty.
My 2003 new Dodge caravan had the transmission replaced X3, air conditioner replaced X1 then repaired again x 2, replaced starter, wheel bearing, tie rod & continues to have problems.
Transmission problems, not shifting into gear and when in drive even on a slight incline car rolls backwards. The latter could cause an accident if the car in back is too close.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 40,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan: 3
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.
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 Grand 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
MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Engine Stall After Refueling
Power liftgate latch
Power liftgate latch
Neighbouring years
2002 Grand Caravan: 289 complaints, keep it · 2004 Grand Caravan: 116 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Grand Caravan years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · 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 Grand Caravan a bad year?
219 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years. At 40,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (45), transmission and drivetrain (28), brakes (17), exterior lighting (15), body structure (14).
How many recalls does the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 04V-386), Fuel system (NHTSA 03E053000), Body structure (NHTSA 03V-094). 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.