Complaints
1,028
Crashes
51
Fires
62
Injuries
64
Fatalities
5
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1107 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:75,025 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#2102 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:166,469 mi
Crash-related:7
#352 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:21
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 107 | 1 | 1 | 75,025 mi | |
| Airbags | 102 | 7 | — | 166,469 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 52 | — | 21 | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 44 | — | — | 64,000 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 42 | 17 | — | 93,654 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 38 | 2 | — | 92,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 30 | — | 1 | 95,711 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 29 | — | — | 85,500 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 24 | — | — | 71,626 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 20 | 1 | 5 | 65,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 17 | — | 7 | 119,500 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 17 | 1 | — | 187,000 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 16 | — | 1 | 94,944 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 16 | 1 | — | 40,738 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 15 | — | — | 67,322 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 12 | — | 5 | 153,866 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 11 | 1 | — | 76,518 mi | |
| Child Seat | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 9 | — | 1 | 68,500 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 9 | 1 | — | 65,110 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 9 | 2 | — | 97,838 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 8 | — | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | 88,667 mi |
Automatic Transmission
107
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,025
Airbags
102
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
166,469
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
52
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
21
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
44
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,000
Air Bags:Frontal
42
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,654
Unintended Acceleration
38
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,711
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
29
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,500
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,626
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Avg Miles
65,000
Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
7
Avg Miles
119,500
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
187,000
Engine & Cooling
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
94,944
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,738
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,322
Gasoline Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
153,866
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,518
Child Seat
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
68,500
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,110
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,838
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,667
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
1997 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1997 Dodge Caravan has 1,028 NHTSA complaints, 51 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 107 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (107 complaints, avg 75,025 mi); Airbags (102 complaints, avg 166,469 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (52 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Dodge Caravan?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 99,853 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge Caravan include 51 crash-related reports, 62 fire reports, 64 injuries, and 5 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Dodge Caravan as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Dodge Caravan?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (automatic transmission) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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