NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
583 reports163,955 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Service Brakes, Electric
WHILE DRIVING OUR 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE TO DROP OFF A VISITOR, HALFWAY THROUGH THE TRIP, I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT ALL THE WAY TO FIREWALL. SINCE CARAVAN HAS A FOOT BRAKE, I MANAGED TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON USING THE FOOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID THAT…
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WHILE DRIVING OUR 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE TO DROP OFF A VISITOR, HALFWAY THROUGH THE TRIP, I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT ALL THE WAY TO FIREWALL. SINCE CARAVAN HAS A FOOT BRAKE, I MANAGED TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON USING THE FOOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID THAT INSTANT SO I FIGURED A LEAK HAD OCCURRED SOMEWHERE. AFTER GETTING HOME, I CHECKED AREA WHERE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND SAW IT ON THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAID CONNECTION UNDERNEATH DRIVER SEAT NEAR THE ABS MODULE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404453
126,000 miles · May 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 06/23/11
NHTSA ODI #10399182
186,542 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WE HIT WATER ON THE ROAD AND THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF, YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AT THE TIME IF IT HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC YOU COULD HAVE A CRASH. WHEN LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM I FOUND IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. GATES MAKES AN AFTER MARKET FIX PART# 38379K. DODGE WILL NOT FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10387728
220,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Air BagsCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE STOPPED AND PREPARING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, DESTROYING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS K…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE STOPPED AND PREPARING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, DESTROYING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. UPDATED 03/23/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10382621
104,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE TIRE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED SIGNS OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE UNATTAINABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE TIRE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED SIGNS OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE UNATTAINABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10352950
108,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED A FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED A FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE FUEL RAIL. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS AGO UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR PART WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THE HIGH FUEL PRESSURE LINE SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO MASSIVE CORROSION AND THE FUEL PUMP LINE EXHIBITED A CRACK. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPLACEMENT FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2004 CRACKED. UPDATD 10/25/10
NHTSA ODI #10347262
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2010
Tires
1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, TRAVELING WESTBOUND WHEN HIS RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. UNIT 1 SPUN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND CAME TO REST IN THE MEDIAN. *BF THE RIGHT REAR FENDER HAD MINOR CONTACT DAMAGE FROM THE TIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0236-89) *JB UPDATED 08/06/10 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10345512
142,826 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE BELT TENSIONER ON MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE 3.3L ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW, THE BELT COMES OFF WHEN THE VAN IS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES. I HAVE OWNED MY VAN FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT AND COORDINATING PARTS ABOUT 7 TIMES. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILD…
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THE BELT TENSIONER ON MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE 3.3L ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW, THE BELT COMES OFF WHEN THE VAN IS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES. I HAVE OWNED MY VAN FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT AND COORDINATING PARTS ABOUT 7 TIMES. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS NOR DO I FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FAMILY AND PASSING THIS SEVERE PROBLEM ON TO THEM. PLEASE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND DO A RECALL!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341758
99,400 miles · Jun 13, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES AND SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID NO STOPPING ABILITY EXCEPT EMERGENCY BRAKE (ONLY EFFECTIVE AT LOW SPEED). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336014
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2010
Exterior LightingCrash
TURNING OUT PARKING LOT AND DID NOT SEE POLE. DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT AND MY FENDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328052
Official recalls
5Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
6EA01007 · 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.