1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 3%of 583 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,998miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3% of the 583 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,998 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan front and rear brake pads and rotors wear out nearly every month. The vehicle begins to sway while driving 55mph on freeway or when changing lanes. The emergency brake light is on due to a leakage in the brakes. The EGR valve keeps going out and the service engine light is on.”
NHTSA complaint #10128830, filed 2005-07, 152,000 miles“Upon turning left, the left front strut sheared from lower control arm. (ball joint failure) the wheel assembly remained attached at the upper mount of the strut, but turned and pushed sideways against the bodywork, pulling the axle out of the trans and destroying the cv joint. The car skidded to a stop with no steering control. There were no injuries. This is the second time this has happened. The previous incident occurred two years earlier (about 20k miles ago). The upper portion of the strut had a failure under similar conditions with similar results. …”
NHTSA complaint #10280585, filed 2009-08, 154,700 miles“Part 1.... I used to be a mechanic and tow truck operator. My mini van like most others is usually driven by a female & with a load of children. If driving in rain or through a water puddle the belt jumps off causing loss of power steering overheating battery drain etc, is a dangerous even deadly problem, if a turn is needed at the time this belt jumps off, even a strong healthy man can leave the line of intended travel and hit what ever is in the way, a curb, a pedestrian or even cause a head on collision. …”
NHTSA complaint #10735648, filed 2015-07“Over the past 2 years we have had to replace the struts multiple times. We have now been told that the strut mount housing that holds the strut mount plate has become oval and not round and therefore it sounds like a bad clunking noise whenever going over larger bumps....what do we do now? I am a mechanic and have no idea what to do and have been told there is nothing I can do by another auto repair. We also have had problems with the transmission shifting since basically when we bought it about 3 years ago and would liike to know if you have had problems with other 97 grand caravans. …”
NHTSA complaint #10115991, filed 2005-03“The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the auto shop for tire replacement and a wheel alignment. The mechanic alerted the owner of the vehicle about a possibility of a left spring support may become fractured due to heavy corrosion. The mechanic stated to the owner that many of these vehicles have the same problem and there has not been a recall for this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10151114, filed 2006-02, 120,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 8 | 1% |
| 2009 | 8 | 1% |
| 2008 | 14 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 24 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 16 | 6% |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% |
| 2000 | 56 | 13% |
| 1999 | 37 | 9% |
| 1998 | 51 | 9% |
| 1997 | 20 | 3% |
| 1996 | 60 | 5% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 | 8 | 4% |
| 1993 | 6 | 2% |
| 1992 | 7 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 2 | 8% |
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 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsExterior lighting
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