Complaints
252
Crashes
16
Fires
6
Injuries
30
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#120 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:81,921 mi
Fires:1
#219 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:47,106 mi
Crash-related:1
#313 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:26,552 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 20 | — | 1 | 81,921 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 19 | 1 | — | 47,106 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 13 | — | — | 26,552 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | 2 | 45,710 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 10 | — | — | 28,907 mi | |
| Airbags | 9 | 1 | — | 65,346 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | 1 | — | 38,728 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | — | — | 65,570 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | 1 | — | 30,829 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 6 | — | — | 30,225 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 193,564 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 6 | 1 | — | 12,933 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 | — | — | 28,905 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 19,333 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 5 | — | 1 | 22,059 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 5 | — | — | 43,194 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,921
Steering Defects
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,106
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
26,552
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
45,710
Hydraulic Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,907
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,346
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,728
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,570
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,829
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,225
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
193,564
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
12,933
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,905
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,333
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
22,059
Steering:Rack And Pinion
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,194
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
2003 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2003 Dodge Caravan has 252 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 20 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (20 complaints, avg 81,921 mi); Steering Defects (19 complaints, avg 47,106 mi); Automatic Transmission (13 complaints, avg 26,552 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 50,890 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Dodge Caravan include 16 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 30 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Dodge Caravan as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Dodge Caravan?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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