Dodge Grand Caravan / 1997
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Owners have filed 857 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 14.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 13.7%.
Complaints857
Crashes40
Fires68
Injuries48
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 14.6% · 125
Electrical system 13.7% · 117
Air bags 13.0% · 111
Power train 9.9% · 85
Visibility 7.7% · 66
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.0% · 60
Vehicle speed control 5.7% · 49
Steering 4.7% · 40
Severity
Of those complaints, 40 describe a crash, 68 describe a fire, 48 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Dodge Grand Caravan in this data, 1997 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2008 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 23 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 104,616 miles.
In owners' own words
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.0 6 Cyl belt came off in rain storm left me stranded and missed work the belt was in one piece and got it home and had a new belt installed and pulley upper front non grooved. Again belt came off bran new belt new belt put on again belt now squealing in the back belt tension arm nor squealing belt rides the pulley l/r about 1/4 inch than back. It seems to me. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 134,995 miles
The problem is with a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, the accessory belt keep coming off if you drive the vehicle through water. It has happen a least 20 time in the last year which lead to power steering failure and over heating and battery failure. I tried to fix the problem by changing the tensioner the belt also the idler puller all about twice which did not solve the problem. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 134,000 miles
Had shifted to reverse prior to backing and heard a clunk. Shut off engine. Looked under vehicle and saw the serpentine belt hang down. Looked under hood and saw the belt tensioner had snapped off and had dropped down to the right axle. Was informed by mechanic that this is a common problem with the 3.3L engine. Was thankful that it did not happen at highway speeds. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…