Model year record
1997 Dodge Van recalls & problems
The 1997 Dodge Van has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 24 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (7 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 Dodge Van.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm | 7 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines | 5 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper | 5 | — |
| Air bagsSide/window | 5 | — |
| Electrical systemHorn; Ignition | 4 | — |
| VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior | 3 | — |
| TiresTread/belt; Valve | 3 | — |
| Service brakes, airDrum › Drum; Disc › Rotor | 2 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Anchorage | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys | 2 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
| EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner 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 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…
- 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 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…
- 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 jointCrash
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 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.