# 2003 DODGE CARAVAN — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
> NHTSA complaint `556987` · 2005-10-04 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** CARAVAN
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- **Miles at failure:** 17,000
- **Speed:** 1 mph
## Narrative
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. IT WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 17,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED.*JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*