1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 7%of 583 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 7% of the 583 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“On march 3rd, of 2005, while returning home from an outing with my four children, I noticed that the power steering went out in our 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan as I was pulling into my driveway. Within moments after getting the kids out of the vehicle, the front of our minivan was fully engulfed in flames. Before the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, the entire engine compartment, along with the windshield and hood was destroyed and the vehicle is now a complete loss. …”
NHTSA complaint #10124226, filed 2005-06, 12,400 miles“In driving my 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, I have had several episodes where it stalls with no warning. The first time it stalled was after stopping at a toll booth and in pulling out from the booth it just died. Luckily there was not a lot of traffic as my husband and three small children were in the van with me at the time. Had it been during rush hour or there was someone who was just in a hurry, this incident had the potential to be quite tragic. My van has also stalled sitting at a traffic lights and several times driving down residential streets. …”
NHTSA complaint #10151571, filed 2006-03, 81,500 miles“Car has faulty gas gauge and despite how much gas I put in, will toggle between having gas to empty and sits on empty, has run out of gas as a result, hard to start and now will not start. Also has many electrical quirks, turn headlights on inboard dash light goes off and vice versa. Had someone fix fan to go on when plugged into battery since cannot get into computer dashboard and internal heat fan stopped working, also indicators work sporadically (so evidently an electrical communications issue). …”
NHTSA complaint #10606794, filed 2014-06, 150,000 miles“Heavy fuel vapors in passenger compartment, and under hood. Occurred during normal driving. Has occurred in the past but then went away the next day. All occurrences were during cold weather (20-30f). Driver and passengers experienced nausea. Mechanic said that the fuel tank rollover valve is malfunctioning allowing fuel into the vapor canister. This sounds alot like the recall for 1996 models of this van.”
NHTSA complaint #10107567, filed 2005-01, 108,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V268000Sep 13, 2000Vehicle description: mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from…Covers: Dodge Grand Caravan 1996–2000, Caravan 1996–2000, Chrysler Town And Country 1996–2000 +2 more
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 14 | 6% |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% |
| 2017 | 14 | 3% |
| 2016 | 26 | 3% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 41 | 9% |
| 2012 | 74 | 13% |
| 2011 | 137 | 26% |
| 2010 | 23 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 2% |
| 2008 | 15 | 1% |
| 2007 | 49 | 27% |
| 2006 | 31 | 11% |
| 2005 | 64 | 6% |
| 2004 | 36 | 31% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 6% |
| 2000 | 23 | 5% |
| 1999 | 14 | 3% |
| 1998 | 25 | 4% |
| 1997 | 38 | 7% |
| 1996 | 181 | 16% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 10 | 5% |
| 1993 | 11 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 2% |
| 1991 | 16 | 12% |
| 1990 | 11 | 20% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
107 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsEngine cooling
102 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
81 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsVehicle speed control
48 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 31, 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