2003 Dodge Caravan Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 21%of 195 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Dodge Caravan, 21% of the 195 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2003, 6 cyl, 3.3l, Dodge Caravan, loses it's power steering when it rains and you hit even a small puddle of water. The water shield is in place. The Dodge dealer says it is common to all the caravans and there is no fix. I called main Dodge hq which confirmed this. This is incredibly dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10240746, filed 2008-09, 72,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10218207, filed 2008-02, 68,000 miles“My new 2003 Dodge Caravan se has a pronounced bias to the left when driving at speed on an interstate highway. I believe this has both safety and tyre wear implications. My local good year dealer said it's a problem with vehicle alignment after putting the car up on a lift. The dealer has said it's a problem with the tyre. The car will be serviced at the dealr on 11/14/2003.”
NHTSA complaint #10045753, filed 2003-11, 50 miles“The power steering rack and pinion assembly on my 2003 Dodge Caravan has had to be replaced twice in 50000 miles of driving. There was no specific event leading to these componant failures. The defect causes rough vehicle handling I.e. Alignment problems. This will be the third rack and pinion assembly installed on this vehicle, factory installed and two replacements. Originally installed assembly was discarded. The two repalcements were performed by the original selling dealership, monroe chrysler superstores, using mopar replacements.”
NHTSA complaint #10116570, filed 2005-04, 28,775 miles“Streering wheel no longer locks when key is removed. We have several Dodge mini vans (years 03,04) in our work fleet and 4 of the 5 have the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10114606, filed 2005-03, 62,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V386000Aug 5, 2004On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose may split and cause a fluid leak.Covers: Dodge Caravan 2002–2004, Chrysler Town And Country 2002–2004, Voyager 2002–2004 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10017651Nov 2, 2005Revised power steering system bleeding procedures.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 7% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% |
| 2005 | 28 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 41 | 21% |
| 2002 | 36 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 12% |
| 2000 | 41 | 9% |
| 1999 | 27 | 5% |
| 1998 | 42 | 7% |
| 1997 | 40 | 6% |
| 1996 | 65 | 5% |
| 1995 | 26 | 5% |
| 1994 | 38 | 6% |
| 1993 | 92 | 10% |
| 1992 | 68 | 7% |
| 1991 | 38 | 6% |
| 1990 | 8 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 2 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Dodge Caravan
35 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Dodge Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology