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1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 284.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 132 of 583 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports39 fire reports22 injury reports

What owners actually said

583 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2002
Tires

IN THE STATE OF PA ON 06/07/2002 WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 33 HEADING TOWARDS ROUTE 80 THE NEW LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN THROUGH A CURVE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SWERVED AND ROCKED VIOLENTLY BUT CONTROL WAS REGAINED WITHOUT ANY PASSENGERS BEING INJURED. THE VEHICL…

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IN THE STATE OF PA ON 06/07/2002 WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 33 HEADING TOWARDS ROUTE 80 THE NEW LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN THROUGH A CURVE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SWERVED AND ROCKED VIOLENTLY BUT CONTROL WAS REGAINED WITHOUT ANY PASSENGERS BEING INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE DESTROYED LEFT REAR TIRE AND CLAIMS TO HAVE RECHECKED THE VEHICLE. IN NJ ON 06/14/2002 WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 202 IN BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP NJ THE NEW RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM WHILE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE ROADWAY. MINIMAL LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED WITH THIS SECOND TIRE FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763144

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2002
Electrical System

THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762851

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE BY THEMSELVES. NO APPARENT RHYME OR REASON. NO PATTERN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762742

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2002
Air BagsElectrical System

SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AND HORN FAILS AT ALL TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762713

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

SEPERTINE BELT AND TENSIONER MAKE A CONSTANT SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BELT CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON A RAINY DAY THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER. WHEN IT CAME OFF, I LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY. IT WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) IN 1999. IT I…

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SEPERTINE BELT AND TENSIONER MAKE A CONSTANT SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BELT CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON A RAINY DAY THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER. WHEN IT CAME OFF, I LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY. IT WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) IN 1999. IT IS NOW THIRTY THOUSAND MILES LATER AND IT HAS BEEN SQUEAKING OFF AND ON AGAIN FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE LAST ONE LASTED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD HIS BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACED 8 TIMES BEFORE HAVING DODGE BUY THE VAN BACK. IT IS A PROBLEM, SO PLEASE LOOK INTO MAKING DODGE RECALL THE FAULTY PARTS. THANK YOU.*JB

NHTSA ODI #762210

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2002
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHTS HAVE COME ON, AND CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHY. HE CALLED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO INSPECT VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009950

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009692

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009229

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED FUNCTION. DEALER REPLACED "CLOCK SPRING" ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR PROBLEM. AIRBAGS NOT WORKING IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761487

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V268 TO HAVE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE O-RINGS INSPECTED. HOWEVER, WHEN ARRIVED FOR APPOINTMENT, CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMS THAT PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TT

NHTSA ODI #565483

Official recalls

5

02V293000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 7, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V185000 · Child Seat

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.

97V200000 · Tires:bead

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.

96V215000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 29, 1996

THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring

Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak

Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System

Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

No summary supplied.

PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

There is no summary currently available

EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup

Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Child Seat

THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.

SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup

Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat

ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.