1997 Dodge Caravan Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 152about this part
- Share
- 21%of 714 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 152 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 21% of the 714 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 27 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The cruise control stopped working. Then the air bag light came on. I later realized that the horn doesn't work. I reported this to the dealer service dept. At a nys inspection visit. The vehicle passed inspection. I have had several incidents where I needed to use the horn, and was unable to. This is a serious safety defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10082916, filed 2004-07, 92,000 miles“Complaint received via e-mail. My vehicle was met with an accident on route 516, old bridge, nj. My vehicle was hit from behind by a school bus and pushed into a lamp pole. My vehicle is totaled as per state farm insurance. Both air bag failed to work. The driver and passenger seats collapsed backward instead of protecting our neck and body. The vehicle is with state farm insurance. . Also, driver and passenger seats collapsed backwards, resulting in two injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10101469, filed 2004-11, 120,000 miles“I own a 1997 Dodge Caravan, with approx 139,000 miles on it. I just read in the birmingham news about the NHTSA investigating daimler-chrysler's 1998-1999 Dodge caravans/chrysler town & countrys/plymouth voyagers. The article states the vans had a defect with the steering wheel/airbag. Mine is doing this exact thing. About a month ago, the airbag warning light came on, and the horn and cruise control quit working. Please include the 1997 model years in the investigation.”
NHTSA complaint #10056446, filed 2004-02, 137,000 miles“In january 2003, I received a recall notice from chrysler for the air bag clock spring on my 1997 Dodge Caravan. The notice said that if I had already had the clock spring replaced ( I had), that I should submit the requested information and they would pay me back. I sent this information on january 12, 2003 to the address on the recall notice. The repair cost $142.22.I heard nothing unti april 4, 2003, when I received a letter asking for the same copies I had submitted in january. I resent them, and have heard nothing since. …”
NHTSA complaint #10021384, filed 2003-06, 80,000 miles“Dt: air bag light is on and cruise control and horn doesn't work. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10124068, filed 2005-06, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V293000Nov 7, 2002On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.Covers: Dodge Caravan 1996–1998, Chrysler Town And Country 1996–1998, Plymouth Voyager 1996–1998 +2 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | 13% |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 7% |
| 2012 | 4 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 17 | 10% |
| 2009 | 26 | 22% |
| 2008 | 42 | 14% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% |
| 2005 | 49 | 9% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 14 | 7% |
| 2002 | 59 | 24% |
| 2001 | 43 | 17% |
| 2000 | 69 | 15% |
| 1999 | 119 | 21% |
| 1998 | 99 | 16% |
| 1997 | 152 | 21% |
| 1996 | 251 | 18% |
| 1995 | 67 | 14% |
| 1994 | 94 | 15% |
| 1993 | 34 | 4% |
| 1992 | 30 | 3% |
| 1991 | 12 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Caravan
133 complaintsEngine cooling
123 complaintsElectrical system
96 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsFuel system
60 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsEquipment
22 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology