Model year record

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 857 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V293000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,500,521
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-07
Owners notified
2002-11-18

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V268000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,163,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-09-13
Owners notified
2002-01-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V185000

Child seat

Component
Child seat
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
157,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-06
Owners notified
1998-11-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V200000

Tires: bead

Component
Tires: bead
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
25,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-13
Owners notified
1998-01-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V215000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
18,997
Reported to NHTSA
1996-10-29
Owners notified
1997-04-21

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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).

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags8480,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6196,700 mi
Electrical system: horn4761,198 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4699,845 mi
Vehicle speed control4693,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4122,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3680,000 mi
Electrical system24106,500 mi
Air bags: frontal2393,353 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2280,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip16102,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1534,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery14
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1389,122 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1285,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling11134,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly11
Tires1190,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch10
Electrical system: wiring863,000 mi
Structure: body: door8
Unknown or other8100,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor8113,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system7119,000 mi
Service brakes7160,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump7135,995 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood6
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Power train6100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6
Suspension6135,995 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring632,000 mi
Child seat5
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel5120,000 mi
Exterior lighting5149,766 mi
Seats5
Service brakes, hydraulic5100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder5112,000 mi
Steering5192,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion5
Suspension: front5100,000 mi
Engine4104,233 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system449,000 mi
Equipment424,006 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery4
Fuel/propulsion system4104,233 mi
Parking brake480,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional4
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4
Seats: front assembly: recliner472,768 mi
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing3
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Fuel system, gasoline3108,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Interior lighting3120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter3
Seat belts: integrated child seat3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings395,000 mi
Structure: body3150,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut3100,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt3111,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Visibility: windshield3
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2111,793 mi
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2119,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump281,500 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock2120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Power train: axle assembly2104,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2152,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Structure: frame and members2138,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs2
Visibility2140,000 mi
Child seat: shell: booster1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail193,000 mi
Fuel system, other112,400 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1156,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)163,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: rear/other1147,325 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1152,000 mi
Service brakes, electric1163,955 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads189,122 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: column1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack143,000 mi
Structure1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1217,000 mi
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1120,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle1152,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire162,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: cables1124,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1105,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.