Complaints
857
Crashes
40
Fires
68
Injuries
48
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#184 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:73,625 mi
Crash-related:2
#261 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:97,641 mi
Crash-related:2
#347 complaints
Electrical System:Horn
Avg mileage:73,099 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 84 | 2 | — | 73,625 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 61 | 2 | — | 97,641 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 47 | 2 | — | 73,099 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 46 | 1 | 26 | 99,845 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 46 | 3 | — | 89,833 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 41 | — | — | 61,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 36 | 1 | — | 99,137 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 24 | — | 5 | 111,433 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 23 | 8 | 1 | 146,001 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 22 | — | — | 87,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 16 | 2 | 2 | 105,325 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 15 | — | 4 | 34,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 14 | — | 6 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 13 | — | — | 120,561 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 12 | 1 | — | 85,000 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 11 | — | — | 127,626 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Tire Defects | 11 | — | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 8 | 1 | 6 | 63,000 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 8 | — | — | 119,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 7 | — | 1 | 127,750 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | 1 | 1 | 162,586 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 7 | — | 2 | 135,995 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 6 | — | 5 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 105,388 mi |
Airbags
84
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,625
Automatic Transmission
61
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,641
Electrical System:Horn
47
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,099
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
26
Avg Miles
99,845
Unintended Acceleration
46
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,833
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
41
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
36
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,137
Electrical Faults
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
111,433
Air Bags:Frontal
23
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Avg Miles
146,001
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
105,325
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
34,000
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,561
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
Engine & Cooling
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,626
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Avg Miles
63,000
Structure:Body:Door
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
127,750
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
162,586
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
135,995
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,388
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Grand Caravan Years
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan has 857 NHTSA complaints, 40 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 84 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Top reported problems: Airbags (84 complaints, avg 73,625 mi); Automatic Transmission (61 complaints, avg 97,641 mi); Electrical System:Horn (47 complaints, avg 73,099 mi). 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 Grand Caravan?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 91,773 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 Grand Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan include 40 crash-related reports, 68 fire reports, 48 injuries, and 1 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 Grand Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Dodge Grand 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 Grand Caravan?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Grand Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Dodge Grand 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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