2003 Dodge Caravan Engine cooling Problems

“I was driving my car when all of a sudden it started to chock like it was getting no gas I decided to turn around to go home because I live in a rural area with no cell service when I stopped to turn around a man that was behind me came running over to get me out of the car because he said it was on fire under the back drivers side I didn't even know it was on fire if is was not for him I could have been severely injured or even died the car burned up and exploded with in two minutes of me getting out. …”

“My 2003 Dodge Caravan had a faulty bearing in the alternator which required complete replacement with only 47,000 miles on the vehicle. I am a long-time Dodge owner, having owned and driven two Dodge omnis, two Dodge dakota pick-ups and this is my second Caravan, the first went 110,000 miles. I have never needed to replace an alternator, and I drive most of my vehicles until they have 150,000 to 200,000 miles.”

“I have a used 2003 Dodge Caravan which I recently purchased in december 2008 from a used car dealer in west burlington, ia. During the 3rd week of january, I was driving and the van completely stopped and was not drivable. I was in the middle of a busy street and had to had people help push it into the nearest parking lot. I had it towed to a mechanic and when they went to look at it, they were able to start it up, keep it running and performed a diagnostic test on it and couldn't find anything wrong with it. …”

“I manage a fleet that contains 13, 2003 Dodge caravans. So far 5 of the 13 vans has had problems with the engine oil sensor. All the problems have occurred between 16,000 and 18,000 miles. The dealer doesn't seem to want to do anything proactive about changing out the other sensors on the other 8 vehicles. I called corporate and they took the same stance, and suggested I contact NHTSA. The problem happens when the car is being driven, all of a sudden the engine oil light will come on. The driver doesn't know if the engine is getting oil or not. …”

“Heading off to the mall one evening, I dropped off my wife and my son, keeping my other son and his friend with me. As I pulled away, I heard a loud pop and smelled and saw smoke. When I got out of the car, I could see melting plastic and what appeared to be small fire balls dropping to the ground under the hood. I turned the engine off and got the kids out of the car . Called 911 and by the time they got there flames were 10-15 feet in the air. There was a re-call on this car about a steering hose I believe that I had done. Other than that I have never had any other problems with this car. …”