1997 Dodge Caravan Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 123about this part
- Share
- 17%of 714 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 123 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 17% of the 714 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 13 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The tension pulley sheared it's bolt and caused the pulley to fall off while driving. Causing the power steering to go out and nearly losing control of the car. The bolt size was suprisingly small for a part that handles that much tension. My fear is that it will happen again while my kids are in it and at a higher speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10041476, filed 2003-10, 101,746 miles“Belt slipped off my 1997 Dodge Caravan.... Also when I got home fell from tow truck because of ice !~! But would not of happen if a recall would have happened already look at all those complaints out there..”
NHTSA complaint #10297097, filed 2009-12, 107,850 miles“March 3,2007 I was driving to work in the rain. I drove for 30 minutes and then the serpentine belt came off my 97 Dodge Caravan again. This has happened several times. When this happens, the vehicle is almost impossible to steer. Once again, I was lucky and did not have an accident. Secondly, my small child was not in the vehicle. This is a very dangerous situation and on this model and year of Dodge Caravan there are numerous complaints on the internet of this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10184190, filed 2007-03, 78,484 miles“Bought a 1998 Dodge grand Caravan in 1997. The serpentine belt came off numerous times, usually when going through puddles or snow. When the belt comes off, all power to steering, brakes, etc. Is gone. This is a common complaint with these vans, yet Dodge/chrysler has refused to admit it and recall it. I finally got tire of it and took a look at why it was happening. I noticed that the idler wheel closest to the front of the vehicle is shaped and mounted in a way that allows the belt to come off easily. …”
NHTSA complaint #10235826, filed 2008-07, 3,000 miles“I bought this van new in 1997 just after buying the van there was ticking noise coming from the engine I feel it is the lifters but dealership says no it was the fuel purge valve. The noise countinues to get worse and I am sure the noise is the lifters when I change the oil to 10w-30 the noise goes away. The oxygen sensor was replaced at approx 50k miles. The van has recently been in the shop for the transmission two or three time since november 2003 aprox. 90,000 miles on it. The transmission was hanging up in second gear when Dodge retuned to me the transmission shuttered while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072595, filed 2004-05, 90,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 | 9 | 5% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 7% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 14 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 17 | 9% |
| 2002 | 19 | 8% |
| 2001 | 16 | 6% |
| 2000 | 61 | 13% |
| 1999 | 102 | 18% |
| 1998 | 135 | 21% |
| 1997 | 123 | 17% |
| 1996 | 215 | 15% |
| 1995 | 67 | 14% |
| 1994 | 66 | 10% |
| 1993 | 86 | 9% |
| 1992 | 62 | 7% |
| 1991 | 41 | 7% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 26 | 14% |
| 1988 | 15 | 15% |
| 1987 | 10 | 14% |
| 1986 | 5 | 10% |
| 1985 | 8 | 16% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Caravan
152 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 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 27, 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