Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Dodge Caravan has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 195 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10E034000 AFTERMARKET RECEIVER HITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E048000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E039000 FMVSS 108/LIGHT REFLECTION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E022000 BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V134000 POWER LIFTGATE CONTROL MODULE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V386000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E053000 WIX FILTERATION/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E045000 INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V094000 SOUTHERN COMFORT/RUNNING BOARDS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 41 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 31 complaints
- Electrical System 29 complaints
- Power Train 22 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 17 complaints
- Air Bags 14 complaints
Of the 195 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 195 complaints, owners report 23 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,000–$6,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Dodge Caravan has an average reliability profile with a moderate number of owner complaints and recall campaigns. The steering, brakes, and electrical system are common sources of issues, as indicated by the available data. The vehicle also has nine recall campaigns, which is not uncommon for vehicles of this age. The evidence on common failures is somewhat limited, but notable areas include steering and brakes.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| Brake system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| Electrical system | Unknown | $200–$600 | occasional |
| Powertrain | 90,000–130,000 miles | $800–$2,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission service
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect and replace belts
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel vibration
- Brake pedal pulsation
- Flickering dashboard lights
- Delayed transmission shifts
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.