This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Fuel wiring harness is to close to exhaust caused melting of wires while going down the road. I noticed a burning smell in the cabin of Caravan. It happened approx. A mile from my house at approx 45mph and a strong odor of gas was noticeable. This is a serious issue that needs to be corrected. Vehicle began to stall coming up drive way. We still have the Caravan but have parked it. We believe when the melting occurred it caused other possible issues and are scared to have it fixed, not knowing what other issues this may have caused that we will not know until we are going down the road, it's not a risk I'm willing to take...especially with gas being flammable and shortening of fuel electrical wires. That's a fire in the making, it's not worth risking our lives or anyone else's on road. I have seen several other complaints on review pages and mechanics blogs/posts. This seems to be a continuing issue that has not been addressed. I have seen that other year models were recalled due to the same issue but not the 2003 Dodge Caravan sport. Can you please investigate this matter? it could be a simple fix by moving wires away from exhaust but you are unaware that, it's a issue, until it happens. Because it not a visible harness that you can see just by raising hood.it's only when you have problems that you really get to looking and that's when you see it melted and burned with strong odor coming out from under hood when we checked it. Also catalytic converter was hot this should not be a consumer expense when it happens. Due to wires to close to exhaust it seems to be a issue for Dodge, since this is due to their fault and not the consumer, Dodge should be held accountable for cost when fuel harness wires melts and any further damage caused by the wires shortening out. This is a dangerous/serious issue that I hope can be addressed soon...before a life is lost.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the front driver side window made a loup popping noise when it was being rolled up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power window mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred later and the window dropped down into the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
When I put the key in the ignition switch sometimes it will not turn allowing me to start the car. When I called the Dodge dealer they said that this is a common problem. They told me to insert the key pull it towards me then insert a flat head screw driver in the key and tap 2 to 3 times then turn the key. I works like that each time but the symptoms match those described in tv ads prompting danger of having the engine shut down when unsuspecting and causing accidents. What can be done? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I have read time and time again about the power train module or computer going out on the Dodge 2003 Caravan and shouldn't this be a recall by now" the van runs beautiful but will stop at any time while driving! why do we have to wait for so many people to die before it is a recall" I want my van fixed but knowing this has been and still is a problem with Dodge and they should be held accountable!
Every time is different. One day the horn, left daylight, right blinker, right stop light don't work; next day all work fine, then next day: Horn, blinkers, light stop working again....check up fuses, changed bulbs. And this goes on and off......
03 Dodge Caravan will die for no reason with out notice weather you are idling or going down the road had been brought to dealer where it was purchased after 8 days they said they could not find anything that was wrong with it that I would need to have it towed off the lot.
Car started stalling. Interior lights would flash on and off, car would die 15 seconds later. Diagnosed as body control module failure. Due to Chrysler's bankruptcy problems part was not available for six months. Had to purchase a junk part and have programmed and put on to keep car running. Part also controls odometer.... ran mileage up to 360,000 miles from 64,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. There was an electrical shortage in the instrument clusters and in the headlights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. He was advised that he would have to replace the computer at an expense of $1500. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Serpentine belt slipping. I have owned several year models of Caravan and have found this problem to be constant with all. During rain or other water on the road condition, the serpentine belt slips enough to interfere with vehicle operations until the water is displaced from the belt. If a driver is not paying close attention or is using the cruise control at the time, the driver could lose control of the power steering, electrical problems with the alternator, or lose of engine power to the drive axles. This item should be studied and remedied to prevent future occurrences. If the fix can be retrofitted to previous years, the manufacturer should provide the repairs at no cost to the owner. This condition began with the purchase date through today. This problem is not contained to one engine size.
2003 Dodge Caravan thought it was great had little problems that I never thought much of until now, now that my vehicle has been in a shop and unusable for about 8 weeks. The horrible noise it made when starting it, the gear shift moving on occasion and the brake pedal going all the way to the floor until a slight burning smell but all these problems were occasional but now I have no vehicle it is sitting in the dealership for repair and I have no vehicle except for borrowing and renting to get children to school, and my children with eczema and allergies to doctors and if they need to go to the hospital. I am devastated and desperate how do I afford a new vehicle because I am getting tapped out. I also have no estimated date or price for repair.
The speedometer needle on my 2003 Dodge Caravan gets an electrical spike frequently and spins completely around clockwise until it gets stuck on the backside of the stop pin. It becomes frozen there until I take to the Dodge dealer for a reset with some kind of instrument. The service depart at the huntsville dealership says it is probably cause by "static electricity" or an abnormal electrical surge. This has occurred twice in the last six months. They charged the first time for reset but not the second time.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the headlights and tail lights flashed and would not shut off when the key was removed from the ignition. The contact had to disconnect the battery in order to dim the lights. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer, but was diagnosed online as having a faulty fmc control module. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 49,980.
Automatic transmission, 56,432 miles, original owner the first time it wouldn't start back up after having it off for 5 minutes. Once it was towed it started right back up (about an hour later, in the dealership parking lot). The next day after driving it about 10 miles two different times and having it on/off numerous times and then having it parked for about 45 minutes, I got in and started it no problem. Two blocks later it died completely. Again everything worked including the A/C, radio and lights with no surge in power. About 1/2 hour later when the tow truck showed up, it started without any issues. Weird thing is the lights, ac and everything else work just fine!! it doesn't even seem as if there is a drain on them. When I turn the ignition, it doesn't do anything, no clicks, no "starting", nothing!!! also both times it wouldn't start/stalled, it was on an incline. The first time was in a drive way where the front was up higher and the second time was going down a hill. And when it was started it was on a flat surface. It has been at the dealership since last night and of course it is not happening there. They did hook it up to the machine since my check engine light came on the second night when it died, but there were not any messages that came out. It has been at the dealer for 9 days, yesterday was the first day that they were able to get it to replicate the problem. They had already replaced two parts, including the fuse box. The 3rd part they are considering is on national backorder, but supposedly was sent out to the dealership. I believe the 3rd part is the main computer.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. While driving 45 mph, the head lights flickered on and off and the instrument panel lights dimmed intermittently. The dealer stated that the instrument control and power control module needed to be replaced. The dealer made the replacement but, approximately two days later, the same failure recurred. The dealer did not inspect the vehicle again. There was defect investigation # EA05009 for the 2001-2002 Dodge Caravan. The current mileage is 52,000 and failure mileage was 40,422. The consumer provided repair invoices. Updated 07/26/07
We have a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, with a headlight/electrical system problem. Without warning, the headlights and fog lights will flash, shut off altogether, or dim. The interior lights (dash board) are also affected and will do the same. Problem appears to be with the head light switch, however, diagnosis is inconclusive. It is an intermittent problem. Very dangerous when lights go out at night and very aggravating for drivers in front of you when lights keep flashing. Internet search reveals several similar complaints and NHTSA investigation / recall on 2001 -2002 vehicles for similar problem.
2003 Dodge Caravan headlights - unwanted shutting off while driving with minimal electrical load. Dangerous for mom & kids on highway at night. Preceded by other, probably associated, electrical problems. Wife at wal mart returned to vehicle. Gauges flickered, dashboard crazy, clicking sound from driver's side/relay(s) buzzing, power locks wouldn't function (great if she was trying to get away from mugger). Wouldn't start. This event preceded by headlights cycling off and on right after startup, but after running a few minutes stayed on during that operation cycle. Back to the wal mart event. Vehicle taken to dealership - replaced battery. Back to the future. Checked fuses, connections, harness, battery cables for fault/corrosion - nothing. No codes. Costly fixes may include:1) fuses and boxes, 2) battery cables and terminals corroded, loose or not grounded/battery,3) headlight switch,4) multi-function wand on steering column (there was a 2003 viper recall for lamp contacts corroding - 20031010 - this could be it for the Caravan too...dealers were supposed to reflash the BCM software),5) FCM,6) BCM,7) alternator (charging issue as opposed to control/regulation issue...maybe shorted diodes),8) god darned electrical harness, might throw in ignition switch too. Noted that Dodge has a tsb for older models with a software algorithm adjustment for FCM, but not in effect for 2003 models"can this work for the 2003"this will be the last Dodge we ever purchase, or that extended family ever is associated with, if this is not resolved to our satisfaction promptly. Dr.Z and/or NHTSA - if you want to fly someone down here asap to see these results reproduced - we get them nightly - so quit the liability mitigation game and get this resolved. Factory car.
My wife was driving her 2003 Dodge Caravan sport, on highway 664 when the alarm indication came on and the van stalled out, had to be towed home. It would not start until the next morning and this time on 664 with my two children in the van and an 18 wheeler behind her the alarm light came on again and the darn thing stalled out again. Again it was towed home and it is still won't start. I called the dealership they said there is nothing they can do for me since I bought the van used in Aug 2004. I called the Dodge corporate office and they said the same thing, the van only has 39,294 miles on it. The second time my wife and children were almost killed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! took the van to Firestone and they put the ECU analyzer on it and found no problems caused by anything it monitors.
The consumer had several problems with his 2003 Dodge Caravan; such problems were a knock in the transmission and 2 brake jobs. The two brakes jobs occurred within one year. The steering wheel knocked (recall campaign #04V386000), the vehicle had broken down at 8K miles, the wheel alignment was off, the gear panel illuminated, and the window had become loose. 80% of the vehicles problems was under 10K miles. The rotation noise continued and the rubber lining around the sliding door was coming off. Other problems: When the vehicle would be taken out of park to drive, all of the lights would illuminate, the front rims/hub caps were dirty due to excessive leakage around the brakes, even during normal washing, there was a mild ringing noise in the vehicle, the front door rattled, the rear tail lamp was damaged, the brake light and back-up lights had gone out, the brakes were going bad again, the engine would sputter due to no fuel pressure, the vehicle would pull to the left, when the driver door was shut it made a loud rattle sound, there would be a delay in the transmission when going uphill, when sitting at idle, the engine would sound as if it were revving but the gauge did not display this.
Was driving the van on the highway when the radio and heat continued to go on and off, then the wipers and lights went. Once the van slowed down and came to a stop everything came back on. Was looked at by a dealer and they said they need to replace the cluster module. One month went by with no problem then it repeated all the above. Brought to the dealer again and they said that they thought it may be the ignition switch. They replaced switch and I drove the van then when returning from my destination it repeated the problem again. Dealership looked at it again ran all the tests they could think of and couldn't find the cause. They said bring it back when it happens again and hopefully something could be picked up on the machine.
- Milford, NH, USA
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- Bolivar, TN, USA