1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1989 | 24 |
| 1990 | 55 |
| 1991 | 129 |
| 1992 | 256 |
| 1993 | 289 |
| 1994 | 199 |
| 1995 | 108 |
| 1996 | 1157 |
| 1997 | 583 |
| 1998 | 559 |
| 1999 | 432 |
| 2000 | 442 |
| 2001 | 298 |
| 2002 | 290 |
| 2003 | 219 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 995 |
| 2006 | 284 |
| 2007 | 182 |
| 2008 | 1291 |
| 2009 | 543 |
| 2010 | 868 |
| 2011 | 530 |
| 2012 | 583 |
| 2013 | 470 |
| 2014 | 357 |
| 2015 | 279 |
| 2016 | 964 |
| 2017 | 402 |
| 2018 | 265 |
| 2019 | 235 |
| 2020 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
19% of complaints: air bags — 108 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE HIT A DEER WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. UPON IMPACT WITH THE DEER, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE CORRECT VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *PH
NHTSA ODI report, 20031112
ON 04-26-2003 MY FAMILY AND I WERE LEAVING THE DETROIT METRO AIRPORT PARKING GARAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030506
OWNER HIT A PICKUP TRUCK AT THE FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970805
18% of complaints: electrical system — 107 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and 12v/24v/48v battery.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
MY VAN WAS PARKED OUT SIDE LUCKYS ON MITALDA NEAR W MAUDE AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE CA 94086 I WAS USING THE WATER REFILLING STATION AND STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE WHEN I TURNED AROUND I IMIDEATLLY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200722
Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and EXTERIOR LIGHTING
OWNER STATES THAT WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, OWNER NOTES THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970401
18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 106 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing belts and associated pulleys and gasoline.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20161215
Also filed under STEERING
14% of complaints: power train — 84 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.
CRASH INJURY12% of complaints: service brakes — 68 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED FROM THE BRAKE LINES AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20141009
SAFETY TIMELINE
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
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
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
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
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
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
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
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (108 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (107 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (106 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97I001000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V215000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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 02V293000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.