CarModelProblems.com

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
583Complaints
6Recalls
29Crashes
39Fires
37Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (14.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Air Bags complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags84 · 14.4%RecalledRecall 02V293000
Power Train:automatic Transmission61 · 10.5%not available
Electrical System:horn47 · 8.1%not available
Vehicle Speed Control46 · 7.9%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline46 · 7.9%not available
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer41 · 7%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS84 · 14.4%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER41 · 7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS36 · 6.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24 · 4.1%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL23 · 3.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE22 · 3.8%

Percentages are the share of the 583 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

NHTSA campaign 00V268000 · 2000 · reported 09/13/2000

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 02V293000 · 2002 · reported 11/07/2002

THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Child Seat

NHTSA campaign 98V185000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998

THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:bead

NHTSA campaign 97V200000 · 1997 · reported 11/13/1997

SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat

NHTSA campaign 97I001000 · 1997 · reported 10/24/1996

THE LATCH PLATE LOCATED IN THE SEAT CUSHION AREA MUST BE FREE TO MOVE BACK AGAINST ITS STOP AFTER THE BUCKLE IS REMOVED TO ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELTS TO BE PULLED OUT. ALWAYS BE SURE THE AREA AROUND THE LATCH PLATE IS FREE OF FOOD OR OTHER ITEMS THAT MIGHT PREVENT THE LATCH PLATE FROM MOVING BACK. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

NHTSA campaign 96V215000 · 1996 · reported 10/29/1996

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE TRAVELING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST. RECALL FOR THE 96 MODEL…”NHTSA complaint 861214 — filed 05/02/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
“WHILE TRAVELING 40-45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 860777 — filed 04/24/2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“ON MARCH 29, WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, THE TIE ROD SIMPLY FELL AWAY FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. AS…”NHTSA complaint 721033 — filed 04/05/2000 · STEERING:LINKAGES

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

5420043022200682220085920105520121920141322016332020

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 84 of 583 NHTSA complaints (14.4%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (61), electrical system:horn (47), vehicle speed control (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have?

583 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 29 involved a crash, 39 involved a fire, and 37 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 00V268000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.