1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 102about this part
- Share
- 18%of 583 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,484miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 102 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 18% of the 583 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,484 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 13 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving in the rain we hit water on the road and the serpentine belt comes off, you lose power steering at the time if it happens in heavy traffic you could have a crash. When looking for a solution for the problem I found it happens to a lot of people. Gates makes an after market fix part# 38379k. Dodge will not fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10387728, filed 2011-03, 186,542 miles“Serpentine belt comes off while driving in snow causing loss of power steering on slippery road surfaces. Loss of vehicle control and ability to regain vehicle control was compromised by lack of steering assist causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. I contacted chrysler and they said there is no recall for my vehicle.this was a very dangerous situation as a school bus was near my vehicle when this incident happened. This issue needs to be addressed and a recall should be mandated.”
NHTSA complaint #10935387, filed 2016-12, 271,000 miles“My 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.3l v6, had the belt tensioner shear off/come apart at 35,000 miles. Then at 68,000 (33,000 later) it went bad, it froze up. This caused the belt to crack also. So the tensioner and belt were replaced at that time. How much of a problem have these tensioners been? Should I expect them to last only 30,000 to 36,000 miles?”
NHTSA complaint #10005023, filed 2003-01, 68,600 miles“1997 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.0 6 cyl belt came off in rain storm left me stranded and missed work the belt was in one piece and got it home and had a new belt installed and pulley upper front non grooved. Again belt came off bran new belt new belt put on again belt now squealing in the back belt tension arm nor squealing belt rides the pulley l/r about 1/4 inch than back. It seems to me.”
NHTSA complaint #10112180, filed 2005-02, 134,995 miles“Serpentine belt falls off when water gets on it, resulting in loss of power steering and control. I understand this is a wide spread problem and am concerned that my familys' safety will be in jepardy each time this happens. It has happened four times to us and I feel this warrants a recall before someone loses their life.”
NHTSA complaint #10043825, filed 2003-10, 49,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 0% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 24 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 2% |
| 2008 | 28 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 8% |
| 2006 | 15 | 5% |
| 2005 | 25 | 3% |
| 2004 | 14 | 12% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 18 | 6% |
| 2000 | 76 | 17% |
| 1999 | 57 | 13% |
| 1998 | 129 | 23% |
| 1997 | 102 | 18% |
| 1996 | 177 | 15% |
| 1995 | 14 | 13% |
| 1994 | 19 | 10% |
| 1993 | 22 | 8% |
| 1992 | 16 | 6% |
| 1991 | 9 | 7% |
| 1990 | 3 | 5% |
| 1989 | 4 | 17% |
| 1988 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
107 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
81 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsVehicle speed control
48 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsExterior lighting
20 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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