1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
857 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 6 defect investigations. It scores 56/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 116,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1990–1991, 1994–1995, 2001, 2003–2004, 2007, 2018–2019.
Avoid
Where 1997 sits among all Grand Caravan years
What owners report
“The horn and cruise control are not functioning, and airbag light is on continuously.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Grand Caravan
“While driving in rain the fan belt comes off continually, causing complete loss of power. Mjs”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Grand Caravan
“Electrical connection, clockspring, for the air bag failed. Airbag, horn, and cruise control inop.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Grand Caravan
“Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without warning transmission failed causing the vehicle to accelerate. Dealer notified. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Grand Caravan
“Brake rear wheel cylinder failed resulting in leakage, pads replaced during repair. Mjs”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Grand Caravan
“The wipers activiate without input from driver causing unanticipated distraction, dealer cannot find problem. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Grand Caravan
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 181 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 104,233 miles. Half of those reports fall between 80,020 and 138,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.
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.
Fix: 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…
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. ON THE INTEGRAL CHILD SEAT,…
Fix: 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.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 02V293000.
Led to recall campaign 00V268000.
Led to recall campaign 97I001000.
Technical service bulletins
8 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and electrical — are on file for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1997 Grand Caravan TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
The 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan drew 857 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 56/100, scored against the model's worst year (1996).
What are the most common 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan are electrical (141 complaints), engine (129), and airbags (111).
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan problems show up?
Owners most often report 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan problems around 104,233 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 80,020 and 138,000 miles.
Does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.