Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 08E048000 · 2008 · reported 08/08/2008
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2003 Dodge Caravan Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
195Complaints
9Recalls
13Crashes
5Fires
23Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (10.3% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 20 · 10.3% | not available | — |
| Steering | 19 · 9.7% | Recalled | Recall 04V386000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 13 · 6.7% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 · 5.1% | Recalled | Recall 06E022000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 · 5.1% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 9 · 4.6% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 195 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 9 campaigns
Equipment
NHTSA campaign 10E034000 · 2010 · reported 08/10/2010
IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 08E039000 · 2008 · reported 06/10/2008
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
NHTSA campaign 05V134000 · 2005 · reported 04/06/2005
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AN UNBELTED PASSENGER COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline
NHTSA campaign 03E053000 · 2003 · reported 10/24/2003
A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
NHTSA campaign 04V386000 · 2004 · reported 08/05/2004
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Structure
NHTSA campaign 03V094000 · 2003 · reported 03/07/2003
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Equipment
NHTSA campaign 03E045000 · 2003 · reported 09/26/2003
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10192192 — filed 05/31/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“2003 DODGE CARAVAN HEADLIGHTS - UNWANTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH MINIMAL ELECTRICAL LOAD. DANGEROUS FOR MOM & KIDS ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. PRECEDED BY…”NHTSA complaint 10166649 — filed 08/27/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10110364 — filed 02/11/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Dodge Caravan?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 20 of 195 NHTSA complaints (10.3%), followed by steering (19), power train:automatic transmission (13), service brakes, hydraulic (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have?
195 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 23 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E048000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Dodge Caravan's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
