2003 Dodge Caravan complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5-30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A POPPING, KICKING, AND CREEKING SOUND. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN HOT WEATHER, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATE 09/18/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. A NOISE WAS PRESENT IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE COLD WEATHER WAS A FACTOR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK AND THAT HER RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE A YEAR AGO. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE RACK AND PINION COULD RESULT IN HER LOSING STEERING CONTROL AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68000.

TL*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.

CAR HAS BEEN MAKING LOUD "POP" SOUNDS WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE SOUND IS NOT CONTINUOUS. IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 2-3 WEEKS. CAR CONTINUES TO DRIVE UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN WITHIN ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO. IT CAME TO COMPLETE HALT WHILE TURNING IN MY DRIVEWAY ON MAY 10TH 2008. TOWED CAR TO FIRESTONE SUNDAY MAY 11TH AND ON MONDAY MAY 12TH WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR ANY SOUNDS WHEN DRIVEN AND COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG FROM INSPECTION. KNOCKING SOUNDS COULD POSSIBLY MEAN TRANSMISSION. MY CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM FIRESTONE BY MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO ALSO DID NOT HEAR ANY SOUNDS. SOUNDS OCCUR RANDOMLY WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT. ON WEDNESDAY MAY 14TH MY BROTHER WHO WORKS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP DROVE IT TO WORK FOR A SECOND OPINION THEY TOO CAN SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE THIS CAR FAIRING THE WORST IS YET TO COME. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON APRIL 22ND 2008. *TR

STEERING RACK AND RACK PROBLEMS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WENT OUT AT 60,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE STEERING RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TWICE BY THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SOUND FOR THE FIRST TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING, AND THEN IT WOULD STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,380. UPDATED 05/20/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING, TRANSMISSION, REAR LIGHTS THAT WERE HANGING, THE REAR WIPER CAME OFF, THE SLIDING DOOR DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY. THE CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE WATER PUMP WAS COMING APART THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND OIL PAN GASKET WERE LEAKING. UPDATED 05/20/08. *JB

SOLUTION TO: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10218207 DETAILS: 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHINING NOISE WHEN ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. SOUNDS LIKE POWER STEERING PUMP. CHECKED FLUID, BUT LEVEL IS FINE. NO LEAKS ANYWHERE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO APPARENT PROBLEM. IN WARMER WEATHER THE NOISE IS DIMINISHED, BUT STILL PRESENT. I PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. IT HAS 71,000 MILES. I TRIED A POWER STEERING CONDITIONER THAT IS SUPPOSE TO STOP WHINING. THE WHINING WORSENED FOR A WHILE. NEVER GOT BETTER. FROM PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE THERE IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN IN THE FILLING TANK DESIGN FOR THE POWER STEERING ON THIS VAN. FILL WITH POWER STEERING FLUID ABOVE THE FULL MARK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FILL TUBE ON TOP BUT JUST BELOW THE FILLER CAP PLUG WHEN PUT BACK ON. THIS WILL STOP ALL NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHINING NOISE WHEN ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. SOUNDS LIKE POWER STEERING PUMP. CHECKED FLUID, BUT LEVEL IS FINE. NO LEAKS ANYWHERE. MECHANIC CAN FIND NO APPARENT PROBLEM. IN WARMER WEATHER THE NOISE IS DIMINISHED, BUT STILL PRESENT. I PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW. IT HAS 71,000 MILES. I TRIED A POWER STEERING CONDITIONER THAT IS SUPPOSE TO STOP WHINING. THE WHINING WORSENED FOR A WHILE. NEVER GOT BETTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A GRACO COMFORTSPORT CHILD SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 8433F0F. THE CHILD SEAT WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL ON THE LATCH SYSTEM IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RE-ATTACH THE CHILD SEAT SO THAT THE LATCH SYSTEM WOULD FIT PROPERLY ON THE VEHICLE. THE REMEDY LASTED TEMPORARILY, BUT FAILED IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL AND GRACO REFUSES TO REPLACE IT OR PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

WE OWN 2 DODGE CARAVAN'S A 2001 GRAND THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH FOR 6 MONTHS. WE KEPT GETTING A EVAP LEAK WARNING LIGHT. FINALLY THEY DID A SMOKE TEST AND THE WHOLE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE JUST GOT THAT FIXED AND MY HUSBANDS 2003 CARAVAN NOW HAS THE SAME WARNING LIGHT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A COINCIDENCE. DODGE IS NO HELP . FIRST TIME I CALLED THEY SAID WE WILL HELP YOU. NOW THEY SAY ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. COME ON 2 VANS IN THE SAME HOUSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MY BRAKE FAILED TO STOP AT APPROPRIATE DISTANCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

(1) COUPLE MONTHS BACK, OUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. HOWEVER, THE AIR WAS STILL COMING THROUGH AND THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING, ONLY THE COOLING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. (2) WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THAT THE COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING. BECAUSE OF THAT, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HALTED. (3) THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE NORMAL PART CHARGE, PLUS LABOR. WE DECLINED THE OFFER AND LOOKED AT OTHER OPTIONS, SUCH AS FINDING OUT IF THE CAR HAD ANY SERVICE BULLETINS ON SUCH A PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR HADN'T EVEN EXCEEDED 50,000 MILES! LOOKING AROUND, I FOUND SERVICE BULLETIN #24-004-04, UNDER GROUP: HEATING & A/C, DATED JUNE 1, 2004. IT ADDRESSES THE COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTION DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THIS CAUSED OUR FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE BULLETIN, ACCORDING TO THE MOSS BROS. DODGE IN SAN BERNARDINO, APPLIED TO ONLY 3.3L OR 3.8L. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD APPLY TO OUR 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SE FWD. MY WIFE AND I HAVE SUFFERED BREATHING PROBLEMS DUE TO THE HEAT DURING THIS PAST SUMMER (2007), ESPECIALLY BEING ENCLOSED IN A VEHICLE WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A FAULTY CALIPER. THE DEALER WILL NOT RELEASE THE VEHICLE THE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,634 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,628.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE HIS SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 70MPH, THE GEAR BOX LIT UP AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. AFTER SHIFTING IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,365 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

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

2003 DODGE CARAVAN BROKEN WHEEL STUDS/BOLTS CUSTOMER WANTS SOMEONE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ONGOING PROBLEM**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED LAST JULY HE PURCHASED REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM COSTCO FOR HIS VEHICLE AND THEN HAD THE TIRES ROTATED IN DECEMBER FOR THE SAME VEHICLE. THEN THIS SPRING THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND ONE WHEEL STUD, ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC OF THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STUDS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THEY COULD ONLY ROTATE 3 OF THE TIRES DUE TO THE FACT OF A POSSIBILITY THE STUDS WOULD BREAK AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ROTATED THE REMAINING TIRE WHICH THE STUDS DID INFACT BREAK AND WERE REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER STATED LAST MONTH CHRYSLER WAS REPLACING A WATER PUMP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE STUDS WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED YET AGAIN WHEN THE MECHANICS WERE REMOVING THE STUDS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE 2 STUDS HOLDING THE WATER PUMP IN PLACE ALSO BROKE OFF WHILE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WANTED THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED. EITHER POOR QUALITY BOLTS WERE USED BY CHRYSLER OR COSTCO WAS CARELESS WHEN TIGHTENING THE BOLTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE NOISE BECOMES LOUDER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THE LINES ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. HOWEVER, THE DEALER FAILED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

TL*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 *TR

ON NOVEMBER 2, 2006 MY WIFE (7 MONTHS PREGNANT) WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER SEDAN. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. I BELIEVE THAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYMENT AND VEHICLE DESIGN MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF SERIOUS BROKEN ARMS/WRIST AND FOOT. IN ADDITION TO WIFE'S INJURIES, THREE OTHER PASSENGERS ALSO SUFFERED BROKEN LIMBS AND SHOULDERS. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE ALUMINUM ON THE WHEELS DETERIORATED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DETERIORATION WAS CAUSED BY THE SALT ON THE ROAD. THE SALT FROM ROAD GOT IN BETWEEN THE COATING OVER THE ALUMINUM, WHICH CAUSED CORROSION TO THE ALUMINUM. THIS CAUSED THE TIRES TO CONSTANTLY GO FLAT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE 2003 DODGE CARAVAN BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 19, 2003. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER OVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE ROTOR. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT IN DECEMBER 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRECISION TUNE AUTO CARE AT 10515-B CENTRUM PARKWAY PINESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28134. THE VEHICLE HAD 31015 MILES. THE ROTORS BEGAN TO SMOKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PADS. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS WERE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY BECAUSE THE SQUEAKER NEVER ALERTED THE CONTACT OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT ON SEVEN MONTHS LATER ON AUGUST 2006 THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED DUE TO SQUEAKING. ON THE 20 MARCH OF 2007 THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED VIBRATION COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND THEN TAKEN TO PRECISION TUNE. THEY CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A BOLT MISSING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER SIDE CALIPER HOUSING. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE MAJOR BRAKE COMPANIES TO BETTER SECURE THESE BOLTS ON TO CALIPER HOUSING UNITS TO AVOID ANY OF THESE BOLTS FROM COMING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUGGESTED SAFETY STANDARDS FOR BRAKES PADS, AND CALIPER INSTALLATION TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAPIR SHOP WOULD BE USING A LOCK TIGHT LIQUID ON THE MOUNTING BOLTS. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2007 I AM PLANNING TO UP GRADE MY CARAVAN SE TO A NEWER CAR AND BEFORE I CHANGE TO A NEW PROBLEM I WHAT TO SOLVE MY OLD PROBLEM!!! THE CARAVAN TO ME IS AN EXCELLENT CAR ON THE HIGHWAY VERY COMFORTABLE AND STABLE. IN 2003 I PERCHES A NEW CARAVAN FIST I RESEARCHED TO CHECK ON POSSIBLE DEFECTS. WITH 18 THOUSAND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AT 20.000 THE METAL STARTED TO RUB ON THE ROTOR. INTERESTINGLY ONLY THE INNER PASSENGER SIDE SHOES HAD EXCESSIVE WHERE. TO ME THIS WAS UNUSUAL ON ALL MY NEW CARS I NEVER NEEDED BRAKES BEFORE 30 THOUSAND. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT A NEW SHOES, THE ONLY SHOES THAT WOULD FIT WAS SPECIFIED FOR. DISC BRAKES ON THE BACK MODEL, WHICH MINE, HAVE DRUMS. AND THE BRAKES SPECIFIED FOR DRUMS ON THE BACK DID NOT FIT! I HAVE TRIED TO FIND OUT WHY MY CAR HAS DISC ON FRONT MADE FOR MODEL THAT HAD DISC ON THE BACK IF MINE HAS DRUMS ON THE BACK??? THE CAR ALWAYS SKIDDED WHEN BRAKES WEAR APPLIED HEAVILY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I PUT THE BEST MICHELINS ON THE CAR. IT DOS NOT SKID BECAUSE OF THE MICHELINS EXCEPT THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR!! NOW I HAVE NOTICED THE CAR DOS NOT STOP WHEN YOU POT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR I PUT NEW BRAKES AND ROTOR AT SEARS AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM! CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? BEFORE I GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT!!! TO ME IT SEEMS ONLY ONE WHEEL IS STOPPING THE CAR!!! AND FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR THIS IS A DESIGNER PROBLEM!!! THIS MODEL CAR HAS BIN MADE FOR ALL MOST 20 YEAR AND THERE IS N

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN I SLOW DOWN THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I AM 1 OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE. *NM

AFTER AUTO REPAIR SHOP CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 3.3L ENGINE (AT AROUND 45,000 MILES), THERE IS VERY ROUGH DOWNSHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THEY USED MOPAR OEM TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER. THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY VISIBLE WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR. THERE WAS ALSO A LITTLE BEAT ROUGH DOWNSHIFTING BEFORE CAR CAME TO STOP, SO I BELIEVE BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 1ST GEAR. THIS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN IT OCCURS, BECAUSE THE WHEELS CAN SPIN ON THE WET OR SNOWY ROADS. DEFINITELY IT SHOULD BE RECALLED, SINCE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET: "THE PROBLEM YOU DESCRIBED IS CALLED "BUMP SHIFT" AND IS PRETTY COMMON WITH THE 604/41TE. DEPENDING ON THE YEAR, THE TCM MAY NEED "FLASHED" OR THE SOLENOID PACK MAY BE FAULTY. YOU'LL NEED TO SEE THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TCM, WHILE YOUR THERE YOU CAN GET THE CODES CHECKED.", "THE TRANS CONTROLLER WILL TAKE FOR EVER TO DO A RELEARN ON ITS OWN. YOU WILL GET TO THE POINT OF DUMPING IT IN THE RIVER BEFORE THE BUMP SHIFT WILL GO AWAY. BASICALLY IT IS A 4TH TO 3RD GEAR DOWNSHIFT BUMP, AND THE QUICKEST WAY TO GET RID OF IT IS TO HAVE YOUR DEALER DO A QUICKLEARN ON THE TRANS CONTROL MODULE. TAKES ALL OF 45 SECONDS TO RESET THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER AND GIVE IT A NEW SET OF BASELINE VALUES. DO NOT ADD ANY AFTERMARKET ADDITIVES TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.", "HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING MODULE. FIXED THE PROBLEM AND WAS COVE

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK WHEN IT RAINS. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN IT RAINS. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT STATED IT VARIES WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME BACK ON, IT COULD BE A COUPLE OF MINUTES OR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED ON FEB 15, 2007. UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

TL * - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 59,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED NO PARTICULAR WEATHER CONDITION NOR SPEED WERE INVOLVED WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNALS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOSE POWER. THE CONTACTWAS NOT SURE IF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHWENT OUT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED. THE DEALER REPLACED A MODULE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT TYPE OF MODULE, HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN\\\ TWO MORE TIMES TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES. *AK

DURING HEAD ON ACCIDENT, CAR'S AIR BAG BROKE DRIVERS RIGHT ARM AND SHATTERED WRIST. OTHER THREE PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS SUFFERED BROKEN RIGHT FOOT AND SEVERAL BRUISES. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIS BRAKES WENT TO A MIDAS SHOP. THE CONTACT LATER EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. MASTER CYLINDER WAS LOW, AND THE MIDAS SHOPS DID NOT BLEED THE BRAKES . THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS A SPONGY PEDAL AND THAT THE MIDAS SHOP NEVER BLED AIR OUT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

2003 GRAND CARAVAN TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, SHE FELT THE VEHICLE SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL, DRY CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TOO LOW TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK, AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. THE BRAKE WENT FURTHER TO THE FLOOR AND MADE A SQUEAKING SOUND. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT DARKENED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNAL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A REFERENCE# 15541666 AND CASE# 8521138 WERE PROVIDED. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

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. *JB

LTR FROM (OH) RE DEFECTIVE BRAKES ON HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN BELIEVES POOR JUDGMENT OF NHTSA AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER ALLOW THIS PROBLEM TO REACH THE MARKET. *TS THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES AT 12000 MILES. THE DRUMS HAVE BEEN REMOVED THREE TIMES TO BE CLEANED. THEY ACCUMULATED RUST WHICH CAUSED SEVER GRINDING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A NOISE WAS HEARD AND CONTINUED FOR 20 MINUTES. THE NOISE RETURNED ON EVERY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR AND PIPING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP DESIGN LOCATION AND INSTALLATION BY DODGE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THE NOISE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NEVER RECALLED. THE SYSTEM DESIGN DID NOT ALLOW POWER STEERING FLUID TO RETURN FROM THE FLUID RESERVOIR TO THE PUMP AS QUICKLY AS THE PUMP DEMAND REQUIRED. *NM

FRONT SEAT DRIVER SIDE, SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLT, TOP JUST FELL OUT. *JB

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 E

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AND WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 20000 MILES, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO ACT WEIRD. IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, MY WIFE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES WOBBLED. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT NOW THE BRAKES ARE DOING THE SAME THING. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 34000 MILES AND I AM GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 9/5/2006 - THE LAST TIME THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF THEY REMAINED OFF FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE THEY CAME BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A RUST PROBLEM AND GRINDED EVERY TIME THEY WERE APPLIED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE BACKER PLATE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED TWICE BY AN INDEPENDENT DEALER AND ONCE BY A SERVICE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE AND THE BRAKES WERE OUT OF WARRANTY.

THE BRAKE DRUMS ON THE CONSUMER'S 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WERE TAKEN OFF 3 TIMES TO CLEAN OFF RUST WHICH CAUSED GRINDING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THEY WERE FIRST CLEANED AT 12000 MILES.*TS THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN SUFFERED FROM THIS TWICE IN THE 5 1/2 YEARS WE DROVE IT. FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL. RECALL NO. D17. MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 33000 MILES ON IT NOW HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON JUST LIKE MY 1998 DID. IS THERE A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE 2003? *JB

I HAD A FLAT TIRE AND TRIED TO USE THE SPARE. HOWEVER, THE WINCH TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE HAD STRIPPED GEARS AND WOULD NOT LOWER. THIS IS ONLY THE THIRD TIME I'VE EVER USED IT. I FINALLY HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY CHARGED $265. *NM

EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE. LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOCKED UP INSIDE THE REAR DRUM RESULTING IN BRAKES TO ENGAGE WITH HIGH FORCE WITH JUST LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE. *JB

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. *JB

I OWN A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A REPETITIVE PROBLEM OF DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTORS STOP WORKING. UPON A VISIT TO A DODGE DEALER SHIP IN MY AREA OF ORLANDO FLORIDA THE REPAIR PERSON ADMITTED THAT THESE A BAD PARTS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH MANY DODGE VEHICLES. ALSO MY SECOND PROBLEM HE ADMITS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS THE A/C TO LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPET CAUSING MOLD TO BE CREATED UNTIL YOU REALIZE THE PROBLEM EXIST. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER HEARING THE REPAIR MAN SAY THAT THIS HAPPENS TO MAJORITY OF THE VEHICLES THEY REPAIR I DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR IT AND INSTEAD COMPLAIN TO ALL AGENCIES INCLUDING DAIMLER CHRYSLER WHO'S RESPOND IS THE ITEM IS OUT OF WARRANTY. YET THEY RECEIVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS OVER AND OVER AND REFUSE TO RECALL ITEMS THEY KNOW TO BE FAULTY. I LEARNED AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A DODGE. I FEEL THAT THIS AUTOMAKER SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND ASKED TO RECALL ITEMS THAT ARE FAULTY INSTEAD OF MAKING MONEY REPAIRING PARTS THEY KNOW ARE FAULTY AND WILL CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION. I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH MOLD AND MILDEW DUE TO THE LEAKAGE PROBLEM THEY ARE AWARE THAT EXIST ON THIS A/C UNIT. *NM

WE JUST HAD OUR 2003 DODGE CARAVAN FIXED AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON, AND IT STARTED TO SPUTTER. NOW IT WAS WORKING FINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, HEAT GUAGE, AND DIGITAL MILEAGE DISPLAY ALL TURNED OFF AND WENT HAYWIRE. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY TURNED OFF, WHILE THE GAUGES ALL FLOATED. ALL OVER THE PLACE. LAST TIME IT WAS THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE VACUUM LINE FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND BEFORE THAT AT ANOTHER RECENT EVENT WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, IT WAS THE GAS CAP NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE ONLY APPROX. 48,000 MILES ON THE MINIVAN. WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS TWICE SINCE WE GOT IN IN OCTOBER 2004. IN THE TWO YEARS WE'VE HAD IT, WE'VE NEEDED TO GET RENTALS TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS. STAY AWAY FROM THE 2003 DODGE CARAVAN...IF YOU CAN'T PASS IT UP, GET THE EXTRA COVERAGE.

MY CARAVAN HAS SOME KIND OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN IT STARTS TO MESS UP IT WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN I AM DRIVING OR WILL SHUT DOWN AS I AM DRIVING (65 MPH). IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A YEAR AND HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MANY (5+) TIMES. IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW IN JOHNSONS OF CHICKASHA,OKLAHOMA(405-222-2062) SAY THEY CAN FIX IT BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY CAN. DAVID STANLY IN MIDWEST CITY HAS TRIED TOO. *JB

WIRING IN DASH CHEWED BY RODENTS. DEALER STATES THEY CAME IN THROUGH AC DRAIN.....WILL NOT HONOR MAXIMUM CARE WARRANTY AND WILL DO NOTHING TO TRY AND STOP RECURRENCE, IT CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURER LIKE THIS. *JB