1997 Dodge Caravan

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #02V293000November 7, 20021,500,521 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal

  On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #02V076000March 8, 2002545,311 vehicles affected

  seat belts: rear/other

  On certain minivans, some trim material Can loosen and drop into the rear outboard seat belt assembly, causing the seat belt to become inoperative.

  In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the trim with foam blockers and inspect and replace all 3RD row seat belt assemblies. Owner notification began june 3, 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.

• NHTSA recall #00V268000September 13, 20001,163,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

  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.

  Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source Can result in a fire.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #98V185000August 6, 1998157,000 vehicles affected

  child seat

  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.

  This Can cause difficulty in releasing a child from the restraint.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V200000November 13, 199725,000 vehicles affected

  tires: bead

  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.

  Sudden tire failure could result in a loss of driver control of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the tires that were mounted on steel wheels.

• NHTSA recall #97V070000April 28, 199760 vehicles affected

  wheels: rim

  The steel road wheels were damaged by the equipment used to match mount the wheel to the tire.

  A score mark was made on the wheel, affecting the durability of the wheel.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace all road wheels (and full size spare tires) with new wheels.

• NHTSA recall #96V215000October 29, 199618,997 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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).

Other model years

• 1985 49
• 1986 49
• 1987 69
• 1988 103
• 1989 191
• 1990 278
• 1991 617
• 1992 913
• 1993 949
• 1994 644
• 1995 489
• 1996 1,403
• 1997
• 1998 629
• 1999 555
• 2000 470
• 2001 257
• 2002 245
• 2003 195
• 2004 65
• 2005 537
• 2006 173
• 2007 81
• 2008 302
• 2009 118
• 2010 172
• 2011 78
• 2012 87
• 2013 30