1997 Dodge VAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,012 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 18 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006353 · 2000-12-20 (December 20, 2000)
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND RUNNING THROUGH WATER, IT IS SPLASHING ONTO THE BELT, CAUSING VAN TO LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. **** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****738051. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026018 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
MY 3 YEARS OLD DOUGHTER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. SHE RAN OVER MY SON WHO WAS GOING AROUND THE CAR TO ENTER FROM THE OTHER SIDE. THE CAR IS A DODGE VAN 1997. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE INCIDENTS AND THEY SAID THAT THE CARAVAN MODEL 1997 DID NOT COME WITH THIS SAFETY FEATURE"TO CHANGE GEARS FROM BRAKE, DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKES' I BELIVE THIS IS A AFTY FEATURE THT SHOULD BE RECALED AND FIXED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029157 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
TIRE BLOW OUT. COMPLETE BLOW OF TREAD, RADIAL PLYS. ONLY SIDEWALLS REMAIN ON RIM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071562 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
WHEN THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, IT RUPTURED THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE. *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073316 · 2004-05-04 (May 4, 2004)
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR 1997 DODGE VAN REGARDING AIR BAGS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CLOCKSPRING. (NAR) *MR THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED, BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER THEY INDICATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE (RECALL B24). *NM *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101160 · 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
THE HEATER CORE SPRUNG A LEAK WHILE DRIVING WHICH RENDERED THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FOGGED UP. THIS REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CUT THE WINDSHIELD OFF, AND DROVE THE REST OF THE TRIP WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, AND DEFOGGER SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC WHO HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING THE PART. THIS MAY BE DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING DESIGN. *AK *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 98,023 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105695 · 2005-01-04 (January 4, 2005)
BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON THE LFRONT LEFT TIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116062 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS IN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND AT 117,000 MILES I LEARNED MY TRANSMISSION IS ALSO GOING. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE 100,000. DON'T BUY ONE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116062 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.