NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
583 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS MAKING NOISE. WAS TOLD IT WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT. DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER REPLACED BELT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SAME DAY DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALE…
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1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS MAKING NOISE. WAS TOLD IT WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT. DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER REPLACED BELT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SAME DAY DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. DEALER CHECKED WITH CHRYSLER ON FIXES. INSTALLED A CLIP. THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO SOLVE MY PROBLEMS. NO HEAVY RAIN FOR A WHILE. THEN, DROVE MY CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF AGAIN. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL THEY COULD DO. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR INTO PUDDLES. WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. STATED TO THE DEALER, THAT I DROVE THROUGH PUDDLES WITH NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HAVE A ANSWER FOR ME, AGAIN THEY SAID "YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING IN PUDDLES". I ASKED IF I CANNOT DRIVE IN PUDDLES WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO. THEY SAID TURN AROUND AND FIND A DIFFERENT ROUTE. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. WHAT IF I'M ON A HIGHWAY? SHOULD I TURN AROUND? I'VE DONE SOME SEARCHING ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO OWNS A CARAVAN THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045087
49,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF WHEN WATER GETS ON IT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND AM CONCERNED THAT MY FAMILYS' SAFETY WILL BE IN JEPARDY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES TO US AND I FEEL THIS WARRANTS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10043825
40,000 miles · Oct 27, 2003
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044823
61,198 miles · Oct 19, 2003
Electrical System
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE HAD PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT. WE FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD AFTER THIS RECALL, OUR HORN WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME DEALER,(COST ALMOST $200.00). THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HORN REPLAC…
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SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE HAD PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT. WE FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD AFTER THIS RECALL, OUR HORN WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME DEALER,(COST ALMOST $200.00). THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HORN REPLACEMENT, IT WENT OUT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO CHARGE. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IT SOUNDS TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT WE HAD HORN PROBLEMS AFTER THE RECALL WORK. OUR VAN HAS 61,412 MILES ON IT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043186
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2003
Power Train
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS CONSUMER CHANGED FOUR TIMES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED FROM CANADA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042752
34,000 miles · Sep 8, 2003
Steering
WHEN EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF STREET WATER, I.E. WATER-FILLED POTHOLE, CURB WATER DRAINAGE, ETC GETS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE VEHICLE UNDERSIDE THE POWER STERRING ASSIST DISAPPEARS FOR A SHORT INTERVAL, 10 TO 20 SECONDS. DURING THAT PERIOD I, A 200 LB MAN WITH REASONABLE BODY STRENGTH, CAN BARELY CONTINUE TURNING THE STEERING WHE…
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WHEN EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF STREET WATER, I.E. WATER-FILLED POTHOLE, CURB WATER DRAINAGE, ETC GETS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE VEHICLE UNDERSIDE THE POWER STERRING ASSIST DISAPPEARS FOR A SHORT INTERVAL, 10 TO 20 SECONDS. DURING THAT PERIOD I, A 200 LB MAN WITH REASONABLE BODY STRENGTH, CAN BARELY CONTINUE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS. I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CURB THREE TIMES ALREADY. I AM ARETIRED MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH EXTENSIVE "DO IT YOURSELF" EXPERIENCE AND I PERCEIVE THAT WATER IS SPLASHING UP ON THE SERPANTINE BELT AND THE BELT FRICTION IS CHANGED ENORMOUSLY WHEN WATER GETS SPLASHED ON THAT BELT. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE IS NO SPLASH GUARD OR DEFLECTOR TO PROTECT THE BELT FROM WATER BEING SPLASHED UP BY THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. MY ENGINE IS THE LARGEST DISPLACEMENT V6. I HAVE HAD MY BELT TENSIONER CHECKED AND IT IS PERFORMING PROPERLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037484
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. STARTED VEHICLE AND LET IDLE WHILE IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE APPEARED TO FORM VAPOR LOCK AND STALLED. TRIED RESTARTING. NO EFFECT. SMELLED FUEL. LOOKED OUTSIDE AND FOUND VERY LARGE FUEL SPILL ON SIDE OF VEHICLE. EVACUATED VEHICLE AND CALLED 911 IN CASE OF FIRE. FD REPORTED SEPARATION OF FUEL LINE FRO…
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1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. STARTED VEHICLE AND LET IDLE WHILE IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE APPEARED TO FORM VAPOR LOCK AND STALLED. TRIED RESTARTING. NO EFFECT. SMELLED FUEL. LOOKED OUTSIDE AND FOUND VERY LARGE FUEL SPILL ON SIDE OF VEHICLE. EVACUATED VEHICLE AND CALLED 911 IN CASE OF FIRE. FD REPORTED SEPARATION OF FUEL LINE FROM FUEL TANK. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. AWAITING PARTS AND REPAIR INFO. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10031197
95,000 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LINE, LOCATED NEAR THE GAS TANK, HAD CORRODED RESULTING IN THE BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10031611
96,700 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION GEARS SLIPPING. SOMETIMES TAKES A FEW MOMENTS FOR IT TO 'CATCH' FIRST GEAR TO GO FROM A LIGHT OR SHIFTS 'HARD' WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO, DOWN SHIFTS 'HARD' WHEN DECELERATING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030478
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Visibility
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON OUR 1997 DODGE CARAVAN WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE OVER TIME. THE LOCAL DEALER BELIEVES THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $200. THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN ANNOYANCE AND I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER THE COST TO REPAIR IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029111
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.
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