IllustrationWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH & MAKING A LEFT TURN. HEARD LOUD CREAKING NOISES FROM STEERING COLUMN. TOOK TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. VEHICLE UNDER WARRNATY & DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT OR REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 284.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 132 of 583 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports39 fire reports22 injury reports
What owners actually said
583 reportsNOTICED NOISE FROM LT SIDE OF VEHICLE, CHECKED BRAKES OUT RIGHT SIDE WAS FINE LEFT SIDE BRAKE WAS DOWN TO THE METAL. VAN IS ONLY 1997 MODEL AND THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPER NEEDED REPLACED . I DONT THINK THIS ITEM SHOULD NEED REPLACED IN ONLY ONE YEAR . IS IT POSSIBLY A PROBLEM OR IS THIS NORMAL. MY WARRANTY RAN OUT IN NOVEMBER OF 1…
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NOTICED NOISE FROM LT SIDE OF VEHICLE, CHECKED BRAKES OUT RIGHT SIDE WAS FINE LEFT SIDE BRAKE WAS DOWN TO THE METAL. VAN IS ONLY 1997 MODEL AND THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPER NEEDED REPLACED . I DONT THINK THIS ITEM SHOULD NEED REPLACED IN ONLY ONE YEAR . IS IT POSSIBLY A PROBLEM OR IS THIS NORMAL. MY WARRANTY RAN OUT IN NOVEMBER OF 1998 AND THE PROBLEM OCCURED IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.( DOT NUMBER: )
WHEN DRIVING OVER 20 MPH UP UNTIL 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR SERVICE SINCE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE. DEALER THINKS THE TIRES ARE CAUSING THE VIBRATION. *AK
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL RELEASES SPONTANIOUSLY WHEN PARKED ON A FORWARD INCLINE
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT INTERVENTION FROM DRIVER. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, IT COULD BE FRIGHTENING AND THUS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE WIPERS CAME ON SUDDENLY AND MY WINDSHIELD…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT INTERVENTION FROM DRIVER. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, IT COULD BE FRIGHTENING AND THUS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE WIPERS CAME ON SUDDENLY AND MY WINDSHIELD BECAME SO SMEARED THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROADWAY CLEARLY. I'D LIKE TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED BY DODGE BECAUSE I SUSPECT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. FURTHERMORE, I PLACED MY WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM OUT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WITHIN A DAY, I HAD RECEIVED A RESPONSE AND WAS TOLD TO NOTIFY YOU.
WHEN DRIVING AT 45 AND UP AND BRAKING THE STEERING STARTS SHUTTERING. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AND CAUSING THE SHUTTERING. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
MY WIFE AND SON HAD JUST LEFT CHURCH AND WAS SETTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE QUICK CONNECT ON THE FUEL LINE POPPED OFF AND THE VAN QUIT. WHEN I ARRIVED THE ENGINE (FAN BELT SIDE) HAD BEEN SPRAYED WITH GAS AND GAS DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH AND PUDDLED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AND PROBA…
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MY WIFE AND SON HAD JUST LEFT CHURCH AND WAS SETTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE QUICK CONNECT ON THE FUEL LINE POPPED OFF AND THE VAN QUIT. WHEN I ARRIVED THE ENGINE (FAN BELT SIDE) HAD BEEN SPRAYED WITH GAS AND GAS DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH AND PUDDLED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AND PROBABLY ANOTHER QUART OF GAS OR SO PUMP OUT BEFORE MY WIFE NOTICED THERE WAS GAS RUNNING OUT THE BOTTOM OF VAN. A MAN WHO HAD STOPPED TO HELP, ACTUALLY FOUND THE GAS LINE PROBLEM AND SNAPPED IT BACK ON, AFTER TUGGING ON THE LINE SOME TO SEE IF IT WOULD COME OFF I AGREED TO TRY STARTING IT AGAIN.(I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND WASN'T CRAZY ABOUT STARTING IT WITH ALL THE GAS AROUND) IT STARTED UP AND RAN ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND IT POPPED OFF AGAIN. WHEN IT POPPED OFF THE SECOND TIME WE WERE WATCHING, THE DANGEROUS THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT BEFORE IT COMPLETLY POPPED OFF AND KILLED THE ENGINE IT SPRAYED GAS OVER THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE FOR APPROX 5 - 10 SECONDS. WE POPPED IT BACK ON AGAIN AND STARTED IT, BUT THE TOW TRUCK WAS THERE BY THEN AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER KEPT THE VAN 4 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I PICKED IT UP AFTER TRYING TO GET THEM TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT UNTILL THEY COULD DUPLICATE IT POPPING OFF, I GUESS SEE IT COME OFF THEMSELVES. I'M DRIVING IT NOW BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THEM KEEP IT ANOTHER 20,000 MILES SO THEY CAN SEE IT POP APART. I HAVE CHECKED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND NONE. I DON'T KNOW IF OUR VAN IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE FAULTY FITTING OR MAY BE OTHERS, THAT'S WHY I AM WRITING YOU AND AFTER SEEING HOW THE FITTING COMES APART IS REALLY SCARY WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT POPPING APART ON HOT ENGING INSTEAD OF A COLD ENGINE. WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT IT CAME LOSE THE FIRST TIME AND THINK IT MIGHT BE WORTH LOOKING INTO BECAUSE THEIR IS POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE, EVEN WITHOUT THE FIRE IT SCARED MY WIFE A
WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG HOURS, THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE TO 0 MPH AND BOUNCE BACK UP TO 60 MPH, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURY.
Official recalls
502V293000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 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.
00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
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.
98V185000 · Child Seat
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.
97V200000 · Tires:bead
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.
96V215000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
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.