Safety ratings
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (6)
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 96V215000 · 29/10/1996
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).
- SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEATCampaign 97I001000 · 24/10/1996
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL CHILD SEATS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. ON THE INTEGRAL CHILD SEAT, THE SHOULDER BELTS RESTRAINING THE CHILD RETRACT AND LOCK IN PLACE AFTER THE BELT BUCKLE IS CONNECTED TO THE LATCH PLATE. THE LATCH PLATE MOVEMENT LOCKS THE BELTS TO MAKE SURE THE CHILD IS RESTRAINED IN THE CASE OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Risk: 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.
Fix: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A VIDEO TAPE AND 2 HARNESS CLIPS. THE VIDEO TAPE INSTRUCTS OWNERS ON THE PROPER USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CHILD SEATS.
- TIRES:BEADCampaign 97V200000 · 13/11/1997
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.
Risk: SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMCampaign 00V268000 · 13/09/2000
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 02V293000 · 07/11/2002
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
- CHILD SEATCampaign 98V185000 · 06/08/1998
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.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- AIR BAGS99
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM90
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING75
- POWER TRAIN66
- SERVICE BRAKES57
- VISIBILITY49
- HYDRAULIC48
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL41
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/2002· POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
- 12/30/1998· STEERING
WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH & MAKING A LEFT TURN. HEARD LOUD CREAKING NOISES FROM STEERING COLUMN. TOOK TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. VEHICLE UNDER WARRNATY & DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT OR REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK
- 12/29/2001· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. RESULTS IN LOSS OF HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINING LIT AT ALL TIMES.*AK
- 12/28/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 00-V-268-00. BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. VEHICLE LEAKED OUT ALMOST INSTANTLY 28 GALLONS OF FUEL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM.*AK
- 12/28/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NOTICED NOISE FROM LT SIDE OF VEHICLE, CHECKED BRAKES OUT RIGHT SIDE WAS FINE LEFT SIDE BRAKE WAS DOWN TO THE METAL. VAN IS ONLY 1997 MODEL AND THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPER NEEDED REPLACED . I DONT THINK THIS ITEM SHOULD NEED REPLACED IN ONLY ONE YEAR . IS IT POSSIBLY A PROBLEM OR IS THIS NORMAL. MY WARRANTY RAN OUT IN NOVEMBER OF 1998 AND THE PROBLEM OCCURED IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.( DOT NUMBER: )
- 12/27/2004· AIR BAGS
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH ,AND WHILE CROSSING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IT CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK
- 12/26/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE DULLED TO THE POINT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOTICEABLY DIMMED TO THE POINT THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT. *NM
- 12/26/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAD SERIOUS DAMAGE WHOSES SOURCE CANNOT BE DETERMINED BY DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WILL NOT INVESTIGATE.
- 12/23/1998· SUSPENSION
WHEN DRIVING OVER 20 MPH UP UNTIL 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR SERVICE SINCE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE. DEALER THINKS THE TIRES ARE CAUSING THE VIBRATION. *AK
- 12/20/1997· STEERING
VEHICLE MAKES LOUD GROANING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.
- 12/18/2000· TIRES
FRONT GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS, FIRST INCIDENT WAS A SIDEWALL FAILURE, SECOND WAS TREAD SEPARATION, TIRE SIZE P215/65R16. *SLC
- 12/18/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON BRAKE PADS. *SLC
- 12/16/1999· VISIBILITY
STARTED SMELLING AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. CONTACTED DEALER ,THEY DEODORIZED IT, STILL CONTINUED TO SMELL THE ODOR. THEN THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLY. THEY FOUND MILDEW GROWING ON THE EVAPORATOR. *AK
- 12/15/2016· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash
SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACES. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ABILITY TO REGAIN VEHICLE CONTROL WAS COMPROMISED BY LACK OF STEERING ASSIST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS A SCHOOL BUS WAS NEAR MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED. *TR
- 12/15/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO IT AND REPLACED A RELAY OR SWITCH THAT BELONGED TO THE BLOWER MOTORS (FANS BY RADIATOR). THE LIGHTS SEEMED TO GO AWAY UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE ABS LIGHT RETURNED AND THE BRAKES ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE OUT AT ANY TIME. THEY HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED FOR QUITE A LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE IS ALSO A WEIRD SOUND OF AIR OR AS IF AIR WHERE COMING OUT WHEN THE BRAKES GET DEPRESSED. I HAVE HAD TO ADD FLUID ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT THERE IS VERY GOOD CHANCE ITS THE BRAKE BOOSTER DUE TO THE SOUND OF AIR. I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS IN A COUPLE OF GRAND CARAVANS BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T FALL INTO THE SUGGESTED VIN RANGE. *NM
- 12/15/2003· PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE REPEATEDLY FAILS TO HOLD, DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, SOMETIMES FAILS IN ON POSITION CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PARKING AND MAIN REAR BRAKE. CHYRSLER UNWILLING TO ADDRESS PROBLEM. *AK
- 12/13/2002· VISIBILITY
INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL NOT CYCLE CONSISTANTLY. THEY MIGHT SWEEP 3 TIMES QUICKLY AND THEN WILL CYCLE NORMALLY, THEN MAY STOP CYCLING FOR 4-6 CYCLES. WIPERS WILL SOMETIMES ACTIVATE ON THEIR OWN. INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL SOMETIMES BEGIN TO CYCLE AND CONTINUE CYCLING EVEN AFTER THE SWITCH HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION IN DESPERATION. WE LIVE IN THE PACIFIC NW AND HAVE TO DRIVE IN RAIN CONSTANTLY. NOT HAVING RELIABLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TO A DEALER TWICE AND HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR. PER THE DEALER, THE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE BOTH TIMES. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER AFTER HAVING THE SWITCH REPLACED THE SECOND TIME, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN BUT BY THE TIME WE TURNED AROUND AND GOT BACK TO THE DEALER, IT WAS WORKING FINE SO THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS.
- 12/12/2001· SEAT BELTS
WHILE TIGHTENING A CAR SEAT IN REAR OF A BENT SEAT DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINT BELT SLIPPED DOWN BETWEEN SEAT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
- 12/12/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UPON BEING STARTED WAS AT IDLE FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AND IT WOULDN'T START. DIAGNOSIS SHOWED THAT CAMSHAFT BROKE IN HALF (NOT WORN DOWN) BENDING THREE VALVES IN THE PROCESS. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOBILE AT THE TIME OF THIS ENGINE FAILURE.*AK
- 12/10/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE CLEAR PLASTIC LENSES THAT COVER THE HEAD LAMP BULBS HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY CLOUDED AND GREATLY DIMINISH THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT ITS NORMAL. I HAVE NOTICED THIS CONDITION ON MANY OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES AND DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE CONDITION . THIS CONDITION CREATES AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING BY REDUCING VISIBILITY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE IS NO MENTION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE LISTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF ANY REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.*AK
- 12/10/2001· VISIBILITY
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE AT CONSUMERS COST, HOWEVER WIPERS CONTINUE TO COME ON WHILE MAKING TURNS, IN COLD WEATHER, AND OCCASIONALLY IN THE SUMMER FOR NO REASON, POSSIBLE WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. *SLC
- 12/08/2000· AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID THAT THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING, THEY JUST DEPLOYED.*AK
- 12/07/1998· PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL RELEASES SPONTANIOUSLY WHEN PARKED ON A FORWARD INCLINE
- 12/06/1999· POWER TRAIN
NO SUMMARY
- 12/05/1999· PARKING BRAKE,VISIBILITY
EMERGENCY BRAKE UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASES / WINDSHIELD WIPERS UNEXPECTEDLY CYCLE ONCE
- 12/03/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON A FUEL RAIL PROBLEM. ON 10/08/02 MY WIFE TOOK OUR VAN IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT AT SAVANNAH DODGE FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN SHE PICKED IT UP THEY TOLD HER THEY NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY HAD DIAGNOSED IT AS A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD BE $181 TO REPAIR IT. WE TOLD THEM WE WOULDN'T DO IT THEN. ON NOVEMBER 5 MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL COLLISION AND ONLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN OUR CAR. THAT IS NOT THE POINT OF MY COMPLAINT. TODAY WE RECEIVED A HAND WRITTEN POSTCARD FROM THE DEALER SAYING OUR CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A FACTORY RECALL CLOCKSPRING B24. I THOUGHT THIS WAS QUITE UNUSUAL THAT THE NOTICE CAME FROM THE DEALER AND NOT CHRYSLER. I JUST DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IN AUGUST 2001 TSB 08-010-01 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE'S QUITE A CONSUMER CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM OR NOT AND WHETHER IT WARRANTS A SAFETY RECALL. SO WHAT'S SUDDENLY CHANGED? IS IT REALLY A RECALL OR IS THE DEALER JUST TRYING TO DRUM UP BUSINESS? THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE. I HAVE SAVED THE POSTCARD IN CASE YOU'D LIKE IT. DT
- 12/03/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS MINIVAN APPROXIMATELY EVERY 6 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. YES, I GOT A WARRANTY BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR AND BRAKES SHOULD BE LASTING 40,000 MILES OR MORE. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT BRAKES, OR WHEEL BEARINGS. (WHICH I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE) DT
- 12/03/2001· VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. THE HORN AND SPEED CONTROL ARE ALSO INOPERABLE WHICH OCCURRED ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE OCCASIONALLY EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS ALSO MOVE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ARE ACTIVATED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIR BAG, HORN AND SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS ARE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY IS THE POSSIBLE CULPRIT.*AK
- 12/02/2009· STRUCTURE
EVENTS INCLUDE NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE. THE FAILURE IS THE STRUT TOWERS ON A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVE RUST THROUGH CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE, STRUT COULD BREAK THROUGH THE HOUSING. DODGE HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR
- 12/02/1996· VISIBILITY
CONCERNED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN CAUSE REFLECTION, RESULTING IN DISTRACTION AND UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.
- 11/29/2001· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING TO SUPER MARKET THERE WAS SOME NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. THEN, AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND GETTING BACK IN, AND TRYING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. *AK
- 11/28/2012· SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING RUSTED BRAKELINE RUPTURED AND LOST FLUID. *TR
- 11/28/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FLUID HAS DRAINED INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER MONTHS LATER AND THEY STATED THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V215000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RESERVOIR OF THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER; HOWEVER, NO FLUID WAS LEAKING. AS A RESULT, THE FLUID BEGAN TO ENTER INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 12/31/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, HE REALIZED HE DIDN'T HAVE NORMAL BRAKING POWER. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED *JB
- 11/28/2006· VISIBILITY
MY 1997 DODGE CARAVAN HAS THE HABIT OF TURNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON BY THEMSELVES ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. WHILE THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED TO WORK WHEN I NEEDED THEM, I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING WITH MUCH EXPENSE TAKEN TO FIX AT NO AVAIL. I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT A FAULTY WIPER SYSTEM AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MFG. TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY IF THIS IS INDEED AS RAMPANT A COMPLAINT AS IT SEEMS TO BE. *JB
- 11/27/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE CONTAINED TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, APPARENTY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED THE ENGINE, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC
- 11/27/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
- 11/26/2019· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH; ENGINE REMAINED ON. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND IT STARTED BACK UP AGAIN AND DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES. 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN IT LOST POWER AGAIN, I SLOWED AND THEN TRIED TO REACCELERATE, AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, ENOUGH TO GET ME OFF THE FREEWAY AND TO A SAFE LOCATION. I CHECKED THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION LEVELS, WHICH WERE OK, AND THERE WAS NOTHING LEAKING UNDER THE CAR. WENT TO AN APPOINTMENT, AND CAME BACK TO THE CAR, WHICH STARTED UP AND DROVE OK FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE, THEN IT SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T START BACK UP AGAIN, SO I PUSHED IT ONTO A SIDE STREET, WHERE IT STARTED UP FINE AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS/REPAIR STATION. NOW, THE VAN WON'T START AGAIN. VAN WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT IN ALL SITUATIONS.
- 11/26/1999· POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HANG IN SECOND GEAR.
- 11/24/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WORE OUT,PITTED BEYOND REPAIR. *AK
- 11/24/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING ON PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE REAR BRAKES STARTED SMOKING/SMELL BADLY. HAD TO PULL ONTO RAMP. *AK
- 11/23/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SERPENTINE BELT REPEATEDLY COMES OFF ITS PULLEYS, NECESSITATING A TOW, ON-THE-SPOT REPAIR JOB, OR DRIVING UNDER UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR A SHORT DISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. *JB
- 11/22/1999· STEERING
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. DEALER RECENTLY REPLACED BELT TENSIONER, BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/21/2005· AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO AIRBAG, NO HORN. *NM
- 11/21/1998· VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT INTERVENTION FROM DRIVER. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, IT COULD BE FRIGHTENING AND THUS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE WIPERS CAME ON SUDDENLY AND MY WINDSHIELD BECAME SO SMEARED THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROADWAY CLEARLY. I'D LIKE TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED BY DODGE BECAUSE I SUSPECT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. FURTHERMORE, I PLACED MY WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM OUT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WITHIN A DAY, I HAD RECEIVED A RESPONSE AND WAS TOLD TO NOTIFY YOU.
- 11/19/2004· AIR BAGS,SEATSCrash
DODGE CARAVAN 97 MODEL VIN#[XXX]. STAT FARM INSURANCE # [XXX]. THE ABOVE DODGE CARAVAN WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SCHOOL BUS ON TUE. 16TH NOV 04 ON ROUTE 516 OLD BRIDGE, NJ 08857. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE UTILITY POLE. *AK THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO WORK. THE DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD INSTEAD OF PROTECTING US FROM NECK AND BODY INJURY. THE VEHICLE IS WITH STATEFARM INSURANCE. THEY MAY REMOVE IT FROM ITS TEMPORARY STORAGE IN COUPLE OF DAYS. YOU MAY CONTACT THEM OR THE OLD BRIDGE POLICE IN CASE YOU WANT TO INSPECT THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEMS. UPDATED 08/03/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- 11/19/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED THREE YEARS AGO: WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES FOR NO REASON, CD PLAYER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES HAYWIRE AND WE LOSE THE GAUGES AND MILEAGE, POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIR CONDITIONER ODOR AND FAN PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES COOL AIR SOMETIMES NOT AND THE LIST GOES ON. *LA
- 11/17/2004· TIRES,EQUIPMENT
I OWN 8 MX4 MICHELIN TIRES I ROTATE AND USE 4 IN THE WINTER AND FOUR IN THE SUMMER. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC BLOW-OUT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER AND HAVE LOGGED OVER 1.5 MILLION MILES IN COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL VEHICLES AND I UTILIZE THE SMITH SYSTEM .THE ROAD WAS CLEAR WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC AND NO ROAD HAZARDS PRESENT. TWO WEEKS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. ANOTHER MASSIVE BLOW-OUT LEFT REAR BOTH TIMES LARGE HOLES IN THE SIDEWALLS ONE TIER MANUFACTURED IN 2000 THE OTHER IN 1999 MILES ON BOTH TIRES 17K TIERS INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED BLOWOUT ORIGINATED FROM THE INSIDE .SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. MY REMAINING SIX TIRES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED FOR SIDE WALL DAMAGE OR UNUSUAL WEAR AND NONE FOUND VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND NO DEFECTS FOUND.*AK
- 11/13/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN DOESN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DT
- 11/12/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. *JB
- 11/12/2003· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE HIT A DEER WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. UPON IMPACT WITH THE DEER, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE CORRECT VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *PH