I know it's my solenoid my vehicle won't go out of 2 gear. My name is [XXX].[XXX] my number is [XXX]. I'm not sure if anything can be done being the vehicle is so old but I thought I'd give it a try. Email is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The worst 1997 Dodge Caravan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags152
- Transmission133
- Engine121
- Electrical94
- Brakes72
- Fuel system59
- Visibility56
- Acceleration45
- Steering40
- Lights22
- Seat belts22
- Body21
- Suspension20
- Tires15
- Seats12
- Locks10
- Wheels2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Dodge Caravan
Airbag light 83Adaptive cruise 45Wipers 42Transmission failure 28Fire or smoke 24Stalling 23Fuel leak 16Headlights 15Loss of power 15Check engine light 13Slipping 12No deployment 10Fuel smell 10Power steering loss 10Door locks 8Grinding brakes 7Engine failure 7Jerking 7Overheating 7Won't shift 7Tire blowout 7ABS 6Brake failure 6Harsh shifting 6Ball joint 5Coil spring 5Premature wear 5Seat belt 5
Recalls 7
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V293000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, some trim material can loosen and drop into the rear outboard seat belt assembly, causing the seat belt to become inoperative.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- 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 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.
Recall number 02V076000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 00V268000 · Recall details
Child seat
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V185000 · Recall details
Tires: bead
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V200000 · Recall details
Wheels: rim
- What is wrong
- The steel road wheels were damaged by the equipment used to match mount the wheel to the tire.
- Risk
- A score mark was made on the wheel, affecting the durability of the wheel.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace all road wheels (and full size spare tires) with new wheels.
Recall number 97V070000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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).
Recall number 96V215000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1997 Dodge Caravan
Defect investigations
Rear seat belt malfunction
This investigation was opened january 16, 2002, based on seven reports alleging the third row seat belt retractors failed on certain 1997 and 1998 model year caravan and voyager vehicles.the reports indicated a tar like substance entered the retractor mechanism, thus causing the retractor to jam or bind.in this condition the seat belt is rendered inoperable, as the webbing cannot retract or be withdrawn from the retractors for use.recall scope:the affected vehicles are 1997 through 1999 dodge caravan, plymouth voyager, and chrysler town & contry built on a short wheel base chassis.the inclusive dates of production are june 1996 through october 31, 1999.recall remedy: daimlerchrysler dealers will replace the mastic sound barrier patches with foam blockers, as well as, inspect and replace all third row rear seat belt assemblies contaminated by the mastic patch.
PE02004
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
EA01007
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008
Post collision fuel system
EA99013
Post-collision fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
PE99010
Integrated child seat belt lockup
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.
EA97003
Integrated child seat belt lockup
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.
SQ96016
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Dodge Caravan 136
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Valve Body
- Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether...
- Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. kb
- Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. tt
- Pop/tick sound in steering wheel area. tt
- Cosmetic corrosion or perforation at upper strut tower/s usually between the strut and upper load path...
1997 Dodge Caravan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 16-18 | 23 | 19-20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 20 | 16 |
What 1997 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine shut down without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and restarted after a few minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to electrical failures within the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 250,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the radio stop working and the windshield wipers activated independently. In addition, the check engine, air bag and battery warning lights would illuminate and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH over a puddle of water, there was a sudden loss of power steering assist. The failure only occurred whenever the contact was driving over a puddle of water, causing the serpentine belt to become detached. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic three different times where the serpentine belt was reconnected each time. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
When the vehicle is on, the key can be removed and the engine remains on.
My wife park the van inside the garage, turn off the radio, engine and lights. She open the drivers door and see flames and smoke coming by the parking brake handler. And all the lights on the van were on. She remove the kids from the van and my son call 911.police and fire department came and extinguish the fire, remove the van from the garage and check it and found possible electrical malfunction .check the van today 8-24 2013 and found that the fire start at the head light switch. Dim switch ok and mirror switch ok. The fire damage the left side of the dashboard, windshield, sun visor and celling. I have this van since new, never have a problem before. And never see a problem like this.
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. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
While parked at a stop sign the vehicle started to smoke. A fire then appeared coming out of the hood. 911 was called and fire squad came. Within 5 minutes the entire front of the car was engulfed in flames. Fire extinguishers were used but it could not put out the fire. Fire truck came and by this time the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. Firemen used water to finally control the fire. Fire restarted and had to be put out again and eventually the fire was completely extinguished. It was perhaps only 10 minutes for the fire to start, spread, and completely and utterly destroy the van. Because of the intensity, quickness of the fire, and the difficulty in putting it out, it appears to be a fuel related fire. I read that dodge had fuel line "o" rings that could be defective and that could have been the cause. I called dodge headquarters and explained the event. I am still waiting for a call back.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the power steering failed and the windows became foggy, causing very dangerous conditions for the driver. The vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced; however the contact had just replaced the serpinitine belt 2,000 miles prior. The manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan . The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH and attempting a turn, the front passenger side tire rod fractured. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired.the VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 200,000.
Compare the 1997 Dodge Caravan
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Questions about the 1997 Dodge Caravan
Is the 1997 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Owners have filed 706 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 8.1 times a typical Caravan model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Dodge Caravan?
Airbags, with 152 complaints, typically around 95,711 miles. Next is transmission (133).
How many recalls does the 1997 Dodge Caravan have?
7 recalls, covering air bags, seat belts and fuel system, gasoline.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Dodge Caravan get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Dodge Caravan range from 16 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 16-18 city and 23 highway.
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