Was traveling home from work, rush hour traffic heavy but moving close to posted speed limit (65 MPH). Traffic slowed in front of me and I also slowed, then traffic came to a sudden stop, so I also increased pressure on the brakes. While doing so, the pedal went right to the floor, I lost brake pressure and started moving to the left to avoid a collision but was not able to. My van hit the car in front of me. I had time and space to stop and not collide if the brakes would not have failed, but when I lost brakes, the distance between my van and the car in front of me closed too quickly for me to avoid the collision. The van was damaged on the front right (passenger) side, but when I got the van back home off of the tow truck, I saw brake fluid on my driveway from the driver's side of the van. A few days later I got the van on jackstands to locate the fluid leak and found the problem to be terribly corroded brake lines running along the driver's side of the vehicle in the area of the driver's door. There is some flexible steel braided line and where it joins the rigid line, there is a so much corrosion that the line is literally rusting away. Searching on the internet I have found this is a very common problem with chrysler minivans from 1997 to 2000. I feel it is a manufacturing problem. I am 55 years old and have worked on cars all of my adult life and have never seen brake lines corrode like this. As there are many vans like mine on the road, I wonder how many other vans have brake lines that are in similar condition as the ones on this van? It was simply a matter of time before these lines would fail. Now when I drive in traffic and see a chrysler product van I ask myself "does that driver know anything about the brake line problem?" I think people need to be informed! There are so many potential accidents just waiting to happen! Chrysler needs to do something!
1997 Dodge Caravan brakes problems
72 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 102,175. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 72
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 102,175
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip17
- Foundation components: disc: rotor12
- Foundation components: master cylinder9
- Foundation components: disc7
- Foundation components: disc: pads6
- Foundation components6
- Foundation components: drum4
- Foundation components: drum: drum2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge Caravan brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Dodge Caravan brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
What 1997 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving the ABS system activated even though the pavement was dry. The problem is that the ABS system prevented the brakes from functioning at all and I rolled through an intersection even though I was pressing firmly on the brake pedal. The ABS warning indicator eventually illuminates indicating something is wrong with the system however, I don't think it should have failed in such a way as to prevent any braking action from occurring. This problem has only happened once but I was very lucky that no other vehicles were traveling through that intersection at the same time that this problem caused me to roll through it while the stoplight was red for me.
Vehicle metal brake lines rusted to the point of failure. On a 1997 dodge caravan, the metal tube brake lines leading from the distribution box to the rear brake wheel cylinders rusted to the point that they failed under use. Vehicle brake lines had to be replaced totally, and the failure occurred without warning.
(1) no brakes, brake failure. (2) badly rusted brake lines. (3) replace brake lines.
When applying the brake from 5-50 MPH, the brake pedal would intermittently go to the floor and caused extended stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop. The mechanic replaced the master brake cylinder. Within a week later the problem recurred.
I have had numberous brake problems for the past year. My brake pedal keeps going down to the floor. I have had the master cylinder replaced 3 times, the rear wheel cylinder replaced 3 times, I have needed a new front rotor and pads because only one of my brakes is actually working. I have also had my brake power bosster replaced and to still have the same result, my pedal goes down to the floor and I hope that I stop in time. No one seems to know what to do with the problem, they claim there is no leaking fluid and they just don't know where I am losing my pressure at. This has cost alot of time , money, and most of all aggrevation. This is my only vehicle and I have small children. Please let me know of any recalls or what to do.
Vehicle recalled for anti-lock brakes. *ph the brake light had come and there was a clicking noise which had come from the ABS brakes. The consumer requested reimbursement. *sc the hydraulic master cylinder, ABS pump and motor assembly were all replaced.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall 96v215000 concerning master cylinder in july 2002. After the repairs, the brake system caught on fire and melted the tires. Master cylinder was replaced. On 11/18/2003, the brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The driver sustained a damaged disc in the neck and spinal cord.
Problems with transmission on 1997 dodge caravan.*mr ignition tumble was replaced, fan assembly.
Warning lights malfunctioned, causing brake lights to flash intermittently, and air bag sensor to stays on. *ak the brake light flashed, the engine light and air bag light illuminated and the horn was inoperative. The air bag and horn problem may be the result of a clockspring failure. *ph
Questions about the 1997 Dodge Caravan brakes
Does the 1997 Dodge Caravan have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 72 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Caravan brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 102,175 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Dodge Caravan brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 96V215000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Caravan have bad brakes?
The Dodge Caravan model years with the most brakes complaints are 1993 (336 complaints), 1992 (271 complaints) and 1991 (216 complaints).
Other 1997 Dodge Caravan problems
Airbags 152Transmission 133Engine 121Electrical 94Fuel system 59Visibility 56Acceleration 45Steering 40Lights 22Seat belts 22Body 21Suspension 20Tires 15Seats 12Locks 10Wheels 2
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