1997 Dodge Caravan Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 8%of 714 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 8% of the 714 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,750 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.
“Have owned a 1997 Dodge Caravan (bought as new) for 108,000 miles. Recently we've had a problem with our windshield wipers. For several years, we've had the problem of the ghost wipers where they would come on on their own. But it would only happen very rarely. Now, we have a problem where the switch does not regulate the speed of the wipers. The intermittent part does not work at all. We recently had it taken to a goodyear dealer and they diagnosed the problem as a body control module going bad. This is an expensive fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #10165797, filed 2006-08, 107,500 miles“The consumer was driving and the windshield wipers turned on by themselves, and run erratically, and will not shut off at the correct position. When it's raining, wipers cannot be controlled. The dealer told consumer that similar make, model and year vehicle have experienced the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10083295, filed 2004-07, 117,000 miles“1997 Dodge Caravan. Starting at about 30,000 miles, the windshield wipers would mysteriously come on, make 4 to 5 wipes and turn off. We made jokes about the ghost riding with us. It was an intermittent problem, happening about every month or six weeks. It could not be reproduced on demand. Finally, at 72,000, the windshield wipers refused to turn on from the stalk--except when the windshield was given a squirt of fluid by lifting up on the turn signal/wiper control stalk, then they gave the regular three wipes and turned off. The dealer replaced the entire switch unit. It did not help. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349598, filed 2010-08, 72,000 miles“Dt: consumer complained about electrical problems. Instrument panel did not work. The instrument cluster was digital. Buttons for air conditioner and rear defroster flashed constantly. Consumer took vehicle to garage, and they recommended Dodge dealer. Also, windshield wipers came on their own. Vehicle did not have to be on running for windshield wipers to come on. They came on about every two weeks. Also, traveling interior lights came on. Consumer stopped lights from coming on by putting tape on door. Consumer believed these were different issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125113, filed 2005-08, 70,000 miles“Purchased Dodge Caravan new. At 40,000 miles, windshield wipers began random wiping action unrelated to time or weather conditions. They would turn on, wipe four or five times and turn off. At 104,000 miles, without warning, wipers refused to respond to switch except for wash and wipe cycle. Vehicle could not be inspected as wipers could not be turned on for inclement weather. Three trips to the dealer resulted in a body control module being replaced for a cost of $741.00 in order to make them work. If they had stopped during a blizzard, it could have been very bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154526, filed 2006-04, 104,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 16 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 8 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 8% |
| 2000 | 15 | 3% |
| 1999 | 14 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 3% |
| 1997 | 56 | 8% |
| 1996 | 121 | 9% |
| 1995 | 37 | 8% |
| 1994 | 44 | 7% |
| 1993 | 52 | 5% |
| 1992 | 72 | 8% |
| 1991 | 23 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 3% |
| 1989 | 6 | 3% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Caravan
152 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 complaintsEngine cooling
123 complaintsElectrical system
96 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsFuel system
60 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