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EnginePart report

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Engine Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
1%of 583 total for the year
Median mileage
105,616miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1% of the 583 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,616 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Car suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway at 60mph; engine remained on. I pulled over, turned off the car, and it started back up again and drove fine for about 2 miles. 'service engine soon' light came on. When it lost power again, I slowed and then tried to reaccelerate, and it drove fine for about 5 miles, enough to get me off the freeway and to a safe location. I checked the oil and transmission levels, which were ok, and there was nothing leaking under the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11282502, filed 2019-11, 104,233 miles

“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at 62 MPH, the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument cluster and the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10732862, filed 2015-07, 77,000 miles

“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the engine warning lamp illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000. The current mileage was 114,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10598502, filed 2014-06, 107,000 miles

“The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle hit a small pothole and the contact lost power steering. Also, the vehicle overheated and the alternator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnosed the failure but decided to replaced the serpentine belt as a safety precaution. The failure recurred several times mostly when it rained or hit a pothole. The contact stated that the serpentine belt came off several times. …”

NHTSA complaint #10474080, filed 2012-09, 130,000 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020210%
20194318%
20183413%
20175814%
2016838%
20153814%
20148022%
20137115%
201211920%
20119217%
201013716%
2009428%
20081179%
20072614%
2006166%
2005242%
200465%
200373%
200262%
200110%
2000123%
199931%
199851%
199741%
199620%

Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

Air bags
107 complaints
Electrical system
104 complaints
Engine cooling
102 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
81 complaints
Brakes
71 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaints
Vehicle speed control
48 complaints
Fuel system
38 complaints
Steering
35 complaints
Exterior lighting
20 complaints
Suspension
20 complaints
Body and structure
18 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