1997 Dodge Van
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Owner complaints
24 complaints3 involved a crash6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
I own a 1997 dodge voyager van and have been having constant problems with the ps, ac, and alternator belt slipping off, causing damage to the ps and alternator mounting brackets. At best, I have had to drive the vehicle home using the electricity from the battery to power the spark plugs and have…
I own a 1997 dodge voyager van and have been having constant problems with the ps, ac, and alternator belt slipping off, causing damage to the ps and alternator mounting brackets. At best, I have had to drive the vehicle home using the electricity from the battery to power the spark plugs and have not had ps because of the slipped belt. The most recent event happened on 6/30/08. Similar incidents have happened in february, march, april, and may of this year. I have had it in the shop as many times. The ps mounting bracket IS going to need replacement (again) of the mounting bolts that have broken off due to the strain of the belt slipping off. The repair shop says that all of the pulleys and mounting brackets have, by now, been replaced and were in working order and can not give me a reason why the belt keeps slipping off. I was referred to this site, through the internet, by many others that have had the same problem with their chrysler or dodge vans. It seems that I am not alone in this problem that the manufacture will not make correct. *tr
- Tires › Valve
1997 dodge 3500 maxi van with tire failure due to defective valve stems. **cc the consumer's vehicle has had three tire failures, on the same vehicle, due to defective valve stems. the stem manufacturers are eha schrader and fha
- Suspension › Front
1997 dodge caravan has severe strut tower corrosion on front drivers side. this has not failed yet, but could cause crash if strut comes through top of housing. *Jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The problem that I am having IS with the gauges. My ABS and check engine soon light comes on and the gauges go out. I can tell how fast I'm going I can tell how much gas I have and my doors will not lock themselves. I have had the computer reset. We have diconnected the negitive battery cable and…
The problem that I am having IS with the gauges. My ABS and check engine soon light comes on and the gauges go out. I can tell how fast I'm going I can tell how much gas I have and my doors will not lock themselves. I have had the computer reset. We have diconnected the negitive battery cable and reconnected it. We have beat on the dash till they come back on. These are only temp fixes because pretty soon here comes the lights out goes the gauges. The transmission was replaced 2 years ago because aparently after about 79000 miles the transmissions go out on these vans. We the transmission starts shifting funny IS when this problem accures. I love my van I just cant handle its problems. We are not the only ones having this problem either everyone I have talked to has replaced their transmissions at 79000 miles and IS having the same gauge problems I am having.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
Ball joint separation on the lfront left tire. *Ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
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…
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
- Air bags
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
- Tires
When the rear tire blew out, it ruptured the gas tank filler tube. *ph *nm
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tire blow out. Complete blow of tread, radial plys. Only sidewalls remain on rim.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
This will be my 3RD fuel pump in less than 2 years, the second one was just 6 months ago.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Hub
Both door mounts rear view mirrors fold into the door at speeds above 60 mph. the clamp screws strip out when tightened rendering the mirrors useless. replacement cost of mirror $125 each. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Rotors began to disintegrate due to a defective casting. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines · Service brakes, hydraulic · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Suspension · Suspension › Front · Suspension › Front › Control arm · Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
Wheels out of alignment, causing excessive wear of the tires. nlm
- Air bags › Side/window
On a divided highway traveling 60mph, approached a red light and another vehicle coming from the left, ran the light and hit consumer's vehicle on driver's side, running it off the road into a ditch head-on. upon impact, driver's side airbag didn't deploy. Contacted dealer. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Consumer received recall notice in reference to the seat belts. Contacted dealer for repairs. dealer stated no parts were available. Please note the recall information was not available in the dims data base, nor was the manufacturer' s recall information listed on the owner's notice. *ak
- Air bags
Air bag module under front drivers seat.
- Air bags · Air bags › Side/window · Seat belts · Seats
Driver's side seatbelt does not retract back into position, and middle row captain seat by the side doors has never worked, totally inoperative.chrysler and coachman will not take the respondsibility for providing the parts or fixing the seatbelts. also, received recall notice for air bag. But dealer was unable to fix because their analisis machine was off. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Gasket on hydraulic brake reservoir turned inside out causing brake fluid to leak .
- Electrical system › Horn · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Left side air vent lever failed. *yc
- Service brakes, air › Disc › Rotor · Service brakes, air › Drum › Drum
Warped rear drums and front rotors caused pulsation when braking.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmissionn repeatedly slips, usually when first started in the morning. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10220101Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10220097Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10191460Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10175735Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
- 10169249Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
- 10169245Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 6088834Information regarding nhtsa authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity. *Nlm
- 6088786Concerns with engine coolant usage. *Nlm
- 54162Condition with keyless entry (rke) transmitter batteries discharge prematurely.
- 51278Jtec powertrain control module wiring harness connector repair packages.
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