1997 Dodge Caravan

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Dodge Caravan
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Caravan Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 69 complaints 1988: 103 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 278 complaints 1991: 617 complaints 1992: 913 complaints 1993: 949 complaints 1994: 644 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1997 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1997: 714 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198769
1988103
1989191
1990278
1991617
1992913
1993949
1994644
1995489
19961403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200464
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 104 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 101 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND SCRATCHES TO THE RIGHT ARM WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130801

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 44 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ATTORNEY IS WRITING ON BEHALF OF MR. ERNEST B. REEVES WHO WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. EVEN THOUGH MR. REEVES HAD HIS SEAT BELTS ON, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MR. REEVES SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, NECK, SHOULDER AND BACK INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021001

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT THE SENSOR BEING TRIGGERED. PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH A/C, BUT NO AIRBAGS PROBLEM. OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970708

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 40 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19960918 — SQ (closed 19970204)

INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP

1997 — complaint volume: 714
I 19970131 — EA (closed 19980819)

INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP

R 19970421 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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 CYLIND

Campaign 96V215000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970503 — wheels

THE STEEL ROAD WHEELS WERE DAMAGED BY THE EQUIPMENT USED TO MATCH MOUNT THE WHEEL TO THE TIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL ROAD WHEELS (AND FULL SIZE SPARE TIRES) WITH NEW WHEELS.

Campaign 97V070000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980106 — tires

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.

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

Campaign 97V200000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981130 — child seat

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 BE

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 OPER

Campaign 98V185000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990203 — PE (closed 19990611)

POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY

I 19990611 — EA (closed 20010810)

POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM

I 20000309 — RQ (closed 20020318)

DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK

I 20010221 — EA (closed 20021122)

AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING

I 20020116 — PE (closed 20020311)

REAR SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION

R 20020125 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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

Campaign 00V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020603 — seat belts

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEA

Campaign 02V076000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20021118 — air bags

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

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 M

Campaign 02V293000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAN

Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100813 — equipment

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 V

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 1-715-831-8713.

Campaign 10E034000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL CHILD SEATS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A VIDEO TAPE AND 2 HARNESS CLIPS. THE VIDEO TAPE INSTRUCTS OWNERS ON THE PROPER USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CHILD SEATS.

Campaign 97I001000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE...

Remedy: WIX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS.

Campaign 03E053000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE.

Remedy: AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 SHORT WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18232 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, OR 0252.

Campaign 03E045000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (104 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (101 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97I001000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03E053000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03E045000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V215000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V070000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V200000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V185000 (child seat) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V268000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V076000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V293000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E034000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2013 ▲ 2016 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1993 ■ 1992

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge Caravan is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Caravan?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Caravan have?

15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.