1997 Dodge Caravan Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 6%of 714 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 137,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 6% of the 714 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 137,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have had our vehicle since 1999 and have been disappointed with its performance. This is our third chrysler/Dodge van and this is the second of the three to have transmission problems. The first had them at 37,000 miles and this one is having them at 71,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043534, filed 2003-10, 70,502 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“On rainy days when making sharp left turn, the 97 Dodge Caravan (3.0 v6) looses power steering and goes out of control. The serpentine drive belt slipped out of the tensioner pulley causing the power steering loss leading to this hazardous condition while driving in addition to the road being wet and slippery. There is a potential for a crash or deadly accident if this condition happens. This condition happened four times in the past two months.”
NHTSA complaint #10217100, filed 2008-02, 141,562 miles“While driving over water puddles consumer noticed the serpentine belt froze, causing steering wheel to lock up. The power steering had become inoperative, the gears would slip when shifted, the water pump leaked, the belt tensioner fell apart, the consumer would lose the steering when driving through a puddle of water,the A/C did not blow cool air due to a leaking evaporator, and the belt tensioner would stick and make noises when driving through water.”
NHTSA complaint #10057730, filed 2004-03, 11,475 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Caravan . The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH and attempting a turn, the front passenger side tire rod fractured. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired.the VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 200,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10456088, filed 2012-04, 200,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 7% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% |
| 2005 | 28 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 41 | 21% |
| 2002 | 36 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 12% |
| 2000 | 41 | 9% |
| 1999 | 27 | 5% |
| 1998 | 42 | 7% |
| 1997 | 40 | 6% |
| 1996 | 65 | 5% |
| 1995 | 26 | 5% |
| 1994 | 38 | 6% |
| 1993 | 92 | 10% |
| 1992 | 68 | 7% |
| 1991 | 38 | 6% |
| 1990 | 8 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 2 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Caravan
152 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 complaintsEngine cooling
123 complaintsElectrical system
96 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsFuel system
60 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 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