Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags107
- Electrical system104
- Engine and engine cooling102
- Power train81
- Visibility61
- Service brakes, hydraulic54
- Vehicle speed control48
- Steering35
- Fuel system, gasoline30
- Suspension20
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 37 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan failed the safety check 1.44% of the time — 10% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 135,533 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 1997 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 12.1–14.6 L/100 km (about 16–19 mpg US), CO₂ 278–336 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 10.3 | 12.1 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 10.6 | 12.4 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 10.2 | 12.7 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 10.4 | 12.9 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 15.3 | 10.7 | 13.3 |
| Grand Caravan AWD · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 17.0 | 11.7 | 14.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan.
| 2002201 6 Nov 2002 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the clockspring assembly may have been backwound during the vehicle assembly process. This could illuminate the air bag warning lamp and m… |
| 2000215 3 Oct 2000 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with the 3.3L or 3.8L engine the Nitrile "O-ring" seals used in the fuel rail may degrade over time and extended exposure to elevat… |
| 1998168 26 Aug 1998 | Seats And Restraints NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT. THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELT LATCH MECHANISM MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED CAUSING THE SEAT BELT RELE… |
| 1997202 19 Nov 1997 | Suspension NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE TIRE BEADS ON THESE VEHICLES WERE C… |
| 1997107 5 Jun 1997 | Brakes NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 96-174 (CHRYSLER RECALL-707) THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON THESE VEHICLES MAY ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK PAST THE REAR PISTON… |
| 1996174 6 Nov 1996 | Brakes NOTE: THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 97-107 (CHRYSLER-714). THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10175735 | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. |
| 10169249 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10169247 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10169245 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation