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2003 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 201080,000 milesNE

POWER STEERING IN 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS FAILING FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW. I HAVE TWICE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT FAILS DURING WINTER MONTHS. *TW

Steering
Filed Jan 19, 201060,000 milesTX

THIS MODEL HAS STEERING ISSUES. WITH ONLY 60K MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION 2 SEPARATE TIMES ALREADY AND NOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS GOING OUT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 201039,000 milesPA

I OWN A 2003 GRAND CARAVAN CURRENTLY WITH 43,000 MILES ON IT. AT A LITTLE LESS THAN 40,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTING MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU WERE TURNING THE WHEEL OR NOT; MORE OFTEN ON A RAINY OR COLD MORNING, NOW ITS ALL THE TIME. I CONTACTED DODGE SINCE I HAVE AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN, TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE NO COVERAGE ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR RACK AND PINION, BUT IM COVERED ON THINGS THAT MY HUSBAND COULD DO IN THE BACKYARD. WHAT A STORY I WAS FED, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS $900 COVERAGE. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER AND PAY $65 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, UMMM IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, IT REQUIRES 30 SECONDS OF LISTENING. THEN AND ONLY THEN WOULD THEY CONSIDER POSSIBLY HELPING ME WITH THIS REPAIR. WHEN I BOUGHT THE SERVICE PLAN, I WAS TOLD $100 DEDUCTIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS, END OF STORY. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE WITH MILEAGE COULD HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS ALREADY. DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO HELP!!!! *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 27, 2009133,435 milesWI

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT CONTROLS THE HEATER SMELLS OF BURNING AND WHEN HEAT IS TURNED ON SMOKE BLOWS OUT THE HEAT VENTS, ALSO CAUSING THE HEAT TO GO OUT. WHEN THE WIRES WERE CHECKED THEY WERE ALL MELTED FROM BURNING. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 19, 200950,000 milesNY

HEADLIGHTS ON 2003 DODGE GR CARAVAN WILL TURN OFF (AND OCCASIONALLY ON) WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT APPEARS MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 17, 200979,000 milesWI

NIGHT DRIVING, HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS JUST GO OUT, COME BACK ON AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 200965,000 milesIL

MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS THE SAME CLOCKSPRING PROBLEM THAT MY 99 CARAVAN DID,THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM WAS REDESIGNED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 28, 200953,000 milesGA

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE. DOOR LOCKS AND SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS, AUTOMATIC REAR DOOR QUITE OPENING, TIRE SYSTEM RECALIBRATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT THE BIGGEST SAFETY PROBLEM IS THE BLINKERS QUITE WORKING OR EVEN WORSE, IF YOU PUT THE RIGHT BLINKER ON, THE LEFT SIGNAL STARTS BLINKING. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 17, 200998,000 milesMA

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. UNDERCARRIAGE AND ROCKER PANELS ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES FORMING THROUGHOUT THE BOTTOM OF VAN. THIS VAN IS TOO NEW TO HAVE THIS SEVERE OF CORROSION. COULD EXHAUST BE LEAKING IN VAN AND POSE HAZARD WHILE WE DRIVE ALSO, VAN WILL NOT PASS MASSACHUSETTS SAFETY INSPECTION SO EITHER IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED OR SCRAPED. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 15, 200998,000 milesMA

UNDERCARRIAGE AND ROCKER PANELS OF OUR 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT ARE SO SEVERELY CORRODED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. WE FEEL THIS IS PREMATURE CORROSION FOR SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. CHRYSLER CORP. IS GOING BY WHAT THE DEALERSHIP ALLEN MELLO CHRYSLER/DODGE IN NASHUA,NEW HAMPSHIRE IS ADVISING THEM. WE FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD HONOR THE REPAIR OR AT LEAST PARTIAL MONEY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS MECHANICALLY SOUND AND WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 1, 200928,000 milesTX

POWER STEERING MAKES TERRIBLE WHINING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS AND IS HARD TO TURN - WORSE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN VAN HAD LESS THAN 30K, IT NOW HAS 58K MILES. VAN HAS EXT. WARRANTY THROUGH DODGE COVERING EVEN SEALS & GASKETS, BUT SINCE DEALER CALLS THIS A "NUISANCE" PROBLEM - IT'S NOT WARRANTY. WE ARE VERY, VERY FRUSTRATED WITH DODGE. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 18, 200972,422 milesOH

THE 2203 GRAND CARAVAN HAS HAD A RECALL ON THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE AND WAS SERVICED. A RECURRING NOISE STARTED. UNDER A EXTENDED WARRANTY THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE RACK ONCE. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE LAST SERVICE THE NOISE CAME BACK AND LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE INTO THE COOLER BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. (NO CRASH) REPLACED HOSES WITH BETTER CLAMPS AND BACK FLUSHED POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. INTERNET SOURCES HAVE INDICATED A FILTER SCREEN IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. COULD THIS BE CAUSING THE LARGE LISTING OF SAME PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Mar 27, 200960,000 milesTN

WIFE WENT TO START CAR IN MORNING. LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHE LEFT VEHICLE. SHE SMELLED BURNT PLASTIC SMELL. I CHECKED LATER AND SAW EXPLODED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HOSE ON TOP OF ENGINE. OBVIOUS EXPLOSION IN ENGINE INTAKE AREA WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BLOW MANIFOLD INTO PIECES. CAR IS AT DEALER. THEY ARE WAITING FOR NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPAIR VEHICLE. UNCONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL HARM TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 200940,000 milesIL

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE'S VAN HAS BEEN MAKING A WHINING SOUND FROM THE STEERING PUMP. THE NOISE INTENSIFIES ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING PUMP MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. EVENTHOUGH THIS VAN IS 6 YEARS OLD, IT WAS IN STORAGE FOR 3 YEARS. THE CAR WAS OPERATED ONCE A MONTH IN STORAGE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 5, 2009IN

THE SENSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR. THIS SENSOR ALLOWS FOR THE DOOR TO STOP IF ANYTHING GETS IN THE WAY OF THE DOOR. ONE DAY I WAS CARRYING IN MY 1 YEAR OLD SON AND ALL HIS THINGS. I WENT TO SHUT THE DOOR, THINKING THAT EVERYTHING WAS REMOVED OUT OF THE WAY. I HADN'T PULLED HIS WALK-BEHIND TOY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WAY. THE DOOR BROKE THE TOY. THE NEXT DAY MY OLDER SON WAS GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF THE CAR. HE HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR. IT DIDN'T STOP AGAIN. I PULLED HIM OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE IT CRUSHED HIS HAND. THE DOOR MISSED HIM BY A COUPLE INCHES. I HAVE TALKED TO MY WARRANTY COMPANY AND ALSO CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH DODGE AND THEY ARE BOTH SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX THIS ISSUE. I DON'T WANT IT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE ONE OF MY CHILDREN IS INJURED BY A FAULTY POINT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE VAN WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2008. *TR

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Dec 29, 200892,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 13, 2008175,000 milesTN

POWER STEERING FAILS ON 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON MORNINGS WHEN IT RAINS. HUGE SAFETY RISK SINCE VEHICLE CANNOT BE TURNED WITHOUT EXTREME MANUAL EFFORT...IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE! DEALERSHIP SAYS RACK AND PINION IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACING ($1400). INTERNET SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES FROM 2002-2006! WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR A SAFETY RETROFIT? *TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Dec 3, 2008PA

LEFT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT BECAME VERY NOISY WHEN DRIVING. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 3, 200867,000 milesPA

POWER STEERING PUMP WAS VERY NOISY AND STEERING WOULD BECOME STIFF UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A POOR DESIGN OF FILTER IN POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 9, 2008156,008 milesMD

I'VE HAD THREE BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN 2 YEARS (THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON 3/31/2006; THIS WAS THE BRAKE LINE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE SECOND WAS ON 11/22/2006; THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT PART WHICH I ORDERED FROM THE DEALERSHIP). THE BRAKE LINE ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BREAKS AND LEAKS FLUID WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT EACH OCCURRENCE. NOW, I HAVE HAD ANOTHER BRAKE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. IT WILL TAKE 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE NEW ONE TO ARRIVE. I WILL KEEP THE OLD ONE WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 2008AZ

2003 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF DURING WINTER FOR THE FIRST 5 TO 10 MINS IN THE MORNING. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 6, 200817,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE RISK OF A CRASH OR SERIOUS INJURY WERE INCREASED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 29, 200884,000 milesWI

THE HEADLIGHTS JUST TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES. NO WARNING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 7 TIMES. VERY INTERMITTENT, BUT NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND I COULDN'T FIND THE SWITCH TO TOGGLE IT BACK AND FORTH. THEY HAVE ALWAYS COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 27, 200870,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DURING ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE JUMPS. THE FAILURE SUBSIDES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. DURING THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. DURING THE THIRD FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE JUMPING STILL OCCURRED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMED UP. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,863.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Apr 16, 20085,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS SERVICED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SAFTEY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. UPDATED

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Apr 2, 2008NC

I HAD THE POWER STEERING UPPER HOSE RECALL DONE BACK IN MAY OF 2005. BEFORE THEN I WAS NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE WITH NOISE. SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE I AM HAVING ONGOING NOISE FROM MY POWER STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK ASKING ABOUT THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS KNEW ABOUT THE NOISE AND WERE WORKING ON IT. LAST WEEK, MARCH 27, 2008, I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM CAN'T BE FIXED HOWEVER, IF I WAS WILLING TO HAVE IT FLUSHED FOR ABOUT $150.00 THAT THIS MIGHT HELP WITH NO SURE GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD IMPROVE. I THINK THE TECH MIGHT HAVE NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE TO FIXED THE RECALL WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE CONTAMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS HAS CAUSED ME THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Mar 13, 200890,000 milesMO

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE SEALS TO BLOW OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND RACK I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE AT 58,000 AND NOW AT 91,000. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Feb 26, 2008PA

BOTH POWER WINDOWS CEASED OPERATION AROUND 40K MILES. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 3, 200858,000 milesVA

NOISE IN STEERING WHEN FIRST STARTED TOOK IT TO DEALER SAID IT WAS INTERNAL LEAK IN RACK & PINION CHECKED SERVICE RECORD AND SAW THAT RACK&PINION WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO.CONFRONTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY SAID WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IN MY OPINION APART AS IMPORTANT AS THIS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ONE YEAR. ALSO NOTICE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Nov 11, 200740,000 milesMD

VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR STEERING PROBLEM WHINING NOISE RACK WAS REPLACED ONCE AND PUMP WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR

Structure4 injured
Filed Oct 28, 200797,170 milesFL

ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER WE NOTICED THE PASSENGER FLOOR AREA BEGAN TO HAVE WHITE SPOTS. I TRIED VACUUMING THE AREA BUT THE SPOTS QUILKY REAPPEARED AND GREW LARGER. THEN I REALIZED THE SPOTS WERE MOLD. YESTERDAY, I PULLED BACK THE CARPET. TO MY HORROR, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARPET WAS ENGULFED IN A WHITE FUZZY MOLD. THE MOLD WAS GROWING IN THE CARPET, THE UNDERLAYMENT AND UP THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DASH TO A ROUND PLASTIC AREA. I BELIEVE THIS IS EITHER FOR THE AC OR HEATER OR BOTH. I'M SURE THIS IS FROM SOME TYPE OF WATER LEAK AS FROM TIME TO TIME PASSENGERS WOULD SAY THE FLOOR AREA WAS WET. FOR SOME TIME, MY FAMILY HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT GETTING SICK EVERY TIME THEY RIDE IN THE VAN. I BELIEVE THE MOLD IS THE CULPRIT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2007VA

OCT 17 2007 MY VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE THIS. THE VAN WILL NOT START BUT EVERYTHING WORKED THAT NEEDING THE BATTERY. WHEN DROVE FOR 2SEC THE VAN JUST LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START. I CHECKED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND RELAYS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY CAN NOT FINED OUT. THEY WAS THINKING THE COMPUTER AND KEYS NEED TO REDONE. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 24, 2007NY

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH SEAT BELTS CONCERNS **NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SEAT BELTS HAVE A SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jul 9, 200740,000 milesNY

DAIMLERCHRYSLER GEN3 SEATBELT BUCKLE - PRONE TO FAILURE. *AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Jun 14, 2007PA

CROME RIMS ON 2003 GRAND CARAVAN RUSTED ON INSIDE OF RIM AND TIRES WILL NOT HOLD AIR. WAS TOLD THAT DODGE RIMS WERE KNOWN TO RUST ON THE INSIDE AND AROUND THE BEAD, AND HAVE TO BUY FOUR NEW ONES OR KEEP PUTTING AIR IN TIRES EVERY DAY. I WORRY IT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING WITH WIFE AND KIDS. REPAIR DEALER GRINDED RIM , BUT STILL LEAKING. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jun 11, 200733,960 milesCO

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AIRBAG INDICATOR STAYED ON FOR COUPLE OF MINUTES AND GOES OFF. AFTER FEW MINUTES IT COMES BACK ON. THE CYCLE KEEPS REPEATING AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. BECAUSE THE AIR BAG IS REQUIRED FOR SAFETY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS OPEN CLOCK SPRING AND REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING. BASED ON RECALL HISTORY OF DODGE GRAND CARAVANS RELATED TO AIRBAG INDICATOR, I FELT THAT THE PROBEM STILL EXISTS WITH AIRBAG INDICATOR IN 2003 DODGE GRANDCARAVAN SPORT VEHICLE. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Jun 8, 200740,000 milesTX

TWO TSB'S THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE HAVE NOW COST ME $300.00 BECAUSE CHRYSLER DOES NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE, SINCE THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO DEAL WITH THE STEERING,THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY..I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 UPDATES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL 2000-2004 CHRYSLER VANS.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed May 31, 200776,000 milesCO

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WINDOW - WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY - THE WINDOW WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING THE MOLDING IS MISSING FROM THE SIDES OF THE WIDOW - IT SEEMS AS THOU THE GLUE AND MOLDING CAME APART FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR - LOOKS LIKE MOLDING HOLDS THE GLASS - *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed May 31, 200730,000 miles00

GROANING IN POWER STEERING, DEALERSHIP FITTED PS COOLER AND EXTRA LENGTH OF HOSE - DID NOT FIX PROBLEM *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 24, 200730,000 milesNC

SUMMARY - ROUGH SHIFT OR SLIP AT 1500-2000 RPM BEGAN AROUND 30,000 MILES. DODGE VISITS- 10/26/05 - 32,088 MILES - CLUTCH REPLACED. 11/30/05 - 33,179 MILES - "SPECIAL ORDER PART". 12/14/05 - 33,803 MILES - VALVE BODY. 12/20/05 - 33,920 MILES - TANS-AXLE REPLACEMENT. 03/31/06 - 36,709 MILES - QUICK LEARN RESET. 05/04/06 - 38,214 MILES - DODGE WOULD NOT EVALUATE UNLESS I PAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE OF $100. REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME PAPERWORK FOR THIS ATTEMPT AT REPAIR. I FEEL PROBLEM EXISTED AND WAS NOT FIXED SO SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $100 FOR FURTHER ATTEMPTS.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 19, 200754,550 milesNY

CAR STARTED. HEADLIGHTS SWITCHED ON, BUT HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE, OTHERS LIGHTS DID. SWITCH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. TURNED CAR OFF, TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS, WHICH NOW WORKED, AND STARTED CAR. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.*AK

Steering
Filed Apr 23, 20072,025 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN DECEMBER 2003, FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON APPROXIMATELY TWELVE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, HEARD THE NOISE, AND STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THE 2003-2005 GRAND CARAVANS. ALTHOUGH THE MECHANIC COMPLETED OTHER RECALL REPAIRS, HE FELT THAT HE COULD NOT REMEDY THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO WORSEN. THE CONTACT HAS DOCUMENTATION OF ALL THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,100 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,025.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Apr 20, 20079,000 milesVA

I PURCHASED MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND TOOK IT INTO HALL DODGE DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA BEACH VA FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND INFORMED THEM THAT MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT CONTINUOUSLY UNLOCKS ITSELF AND HAS TO BE CHECKED REGULARLY FOR SECURITY WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ONCE AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME AND REITERATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OVER THE WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ALMOST $300 TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. I TOLD THEM IT WAS A SAFETY ITEM AND TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME THAT THE BOTTOM LOCKING DEVISE ON THE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS THE SEAT BELT IS VERY UNSAFE. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 20, 200771,000 milesNH

ALL OF MY VEHICLE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FLICKER. A VERY NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE INTENSITY OF THE HEADLIGHTS, MARKER LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS OCCURS WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Mar 16, 200729,000 milesND

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL. COMES AND GOES. FLUID LEVEL IS FINE. FLUID COLOR AND SMELL IS FINE,NO AIR BUBBLES IN FLUID.SEEMS TO BE THE WORST AFTER DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS THEN DRIVING IN TOWN. SOMETIMES GOES AWAY AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. DEALER RECOMMENDS A FLUSH. BOUGHT VEHICLE USED AT 29000 MILES. PROBLEM SEEMED TO START SHORTLY AFTER. A $80 FLUSH ISN'T GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER READING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM OTHERS ARE HAVING. SEEMS LIKE SOME SORT OF RESTRICTION ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE SYSTEM.

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 27, 200735,567 milesMO

RACK AND PINION SEALS LEAKING DEALER REPLACED RACK & PINION 2/21/06 RACK AND PINION SEALS LEAKING AGAIN, CAR REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT AGAIN 2/2007. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Feb 21, 200780,000 milesMD

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HUMMING AND LOW GRADE VIBRATION THAT ONE HEAR COULD WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THEREWAS A DEFECT IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE THIS VEHICLE HAD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000 , AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102000.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Jan 26, 200774,385 milesGA

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE VIBRATED, BUT DID NOT STALL WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED SINCE JUNE 2006. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE OIL PAN AND DIP STICK HAD GREY DEBRIS IN IT, AND THE MAGNET WAS NOT IN THE RIGHT LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RETURNS COOLER SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED A BURNING SMELL UNDER THE HOOD ,AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. THE DEALER DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE COULD BE A FAILURE IF SHE DIDN'T REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RETURN COOLER. HOWEVER, HE ADVISED HER THAT THE NEW PART WILL ELIMINATE THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER/REPAIR SHOP THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A NEW FAILURE INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL CONCERN. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT SHOULD ALSO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RETURN COOLER. . THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE 2004 DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. THEY MECHANIC STATED THAT A CARRIAGE BOLT WILL CORRECT THE TIRE FAILURE. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jan 2, 2007VA

WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES OR COLDER THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ADMITS A LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINING SOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE VERY HARD TO TURN UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, AND ALSO A SHUDDER IS FELT THRU THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR, OCCURRING WHEN THE WEATHER COOLS OFF. WE TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER EVERY YEAR. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THE SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND TIGHTEN THE HOSES. THIS YEAR THE SOLUTION IS SUPPOSE TO BE A POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER, WHICH THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL COST $220.00. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THIS WORK HAS THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR, AND ONLY NOW IS THERE A REDESIGN FOR THE SYSTEM THAT NEVER WORKED PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE OFFICE FOR RESOLUTION ON THIS MATTER, I WAS LAST TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. BUT THE COOPERATE AGENT COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE DEALER WAS GOING TO DO OR AT WHAT COST. BASICALLY I AM GETTING THE ROUND AROUND FOR WHAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 12, 200648,000 milesIA

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO WORK WHEN IT SEEMED TO NOT BE GETTING ANY FUEL AT ALL. THE VAN THEN STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. VAN HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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