1997 Dodge Caravan problems
Owners have filed 1,028 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA. Air bags account for 15% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 13.9%.
Complaints1,028
Crashes51
Fires62
Injuries64
Deaths5
What owners report breaking
Air bags 15.0% · 154
Engine and engine cooling 13.9% · 143
Power train 13.8% · 142
Electrical system 10.6% · 109
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.5% · 77
Fuel system, gasoline 6.0% · 62
Visibility 5.6% · 58
Vehicle speed control 4.4% · 45
Severity
Of those complaints, 51 describe a crash, 62 describe a fire, 64 report an injury and 5 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Dodge Caravan in this data, 1997 sits 4th by complaint volume. 1996 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 90,190 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer's airbag light has been intermittently on & off. For past 1 1/2 weeks the light has been staying on. Problem must be affecting horn, it hasn't worked in past month. Dealer wants consumer to cover cost. Consumer doesn't know why it happening only that if in an accident it will not operate correctly*ak. Consumer states everything on steering column is failing including cruise control. *Slc Air bags
Dt: air bag light is on and cruise control and horn doesn't work. *Ak consumer states having a recall notice for these problems but delearship refuses to fix because the vehicle is not a 1998 or newer. The consumer's steering wheel is getting worst. Consumer's vin #'s are not on the recall list, consumer also owns a 2000 Dodge van. Consumer wants to be kept up to date on the progress of the claim. Air bags · reported at 100,000 miles
Airbag light came on and horn stopped working, mechanic stated clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. *Ak also consumer was having problem with the radio that has been worked on five times and replaced twice and still doesnot work to consumer's satisfaction, consumer also had brakes replaced, also the tensioner belt on the timing belt, also the water pump broke, also transmission went out. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…