DodgeCaravan20032.4L L4/dodge/caravan/2003/2-4l-l4/
RS platform

2003 Dodge Caravan — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Caravan 2.4L L4.

Body VANEngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Dodge Caravan rides on the RS platform as a van powered by a 2.4L L4 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic, returning 18/25/21 mpg and taking 5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with filter. In the broader complaint history spanning 1990–2017 — where the 1996 model peaked at 1,647 complaints and the 2017 model bottomed out at just one — this model year logged 195 owner complaints with steering as the leading concern and nine recalls issued. That places the 2003 Caravan well below the platform's worst years but still above the modern low, suggesting a mid-era reliability profile that warrants attention to steering components and recall completion.

Model year200720062005200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory fuel filter and spark plug are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter04861480AA
Fuel filter04809118AE discontinued
Spark plug68307021AA discontinued
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Serpentine belt04593684AA alt 04892444AA
Thermostat68210217AA alt 04573560AE
Cabin air filter82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight4039 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: 14.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance8500-11,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Optional BCI Group Number34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Use new bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil. · M8 Bolts:

125.0 ft. lbs.; M11 Bolts:25 ft. lbs
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miTie Rod (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the Dodge Caravan reveals a general downward trend in complaints from a peak of 1,647 in 1996 through the early 2000s. The 2003 model year fits this arc of improvement with 195 complaints, performing better than the 2002 model (256) and avoiding the significant spike to 537 complaints seen in 2005. For 2003, the most frequent complaints involved steering (33) and hydraulic service brakes (24), though the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. This year also recorded 9 recalls, 1 investigation, 13 crash complaints, and 5 fire complaints. Because it sits within a period of decreasing reports and precedes a subsequent increase in 2005, this is a good year to buy.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
70
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
195
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 195 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering33
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24
Electrical System15
Power Train13
Air Bags10
Engine & Engine Cooling10
Fuel System, Gasoline9
Tires7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E048000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 08/08/2008

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM… Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

10E034000EquipmentReported 10/08/2010

CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN… Remedy: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 70 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caravan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Caravan 2.4L L4 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.