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Dodge VanModel year report

1997 Dodge Van Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
89,012miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Dodge Van (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1997 Dodge Van. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (17% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and electrical system (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,012 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Safety recall notice received for 1997 Dodge VAN regarding air bags and replacement of the clockspring. (nar) the consumer made an appointment to have the clockspring replaced, but when he arrived at the dealer they indicated that they didn't have the part available (recall b24).”

NHTSA complaint #10073316, filed 2004-05

Electrical system: “The problem that I am having is with the gauges. My ABS and check engine soon light comes on and the gauges go out. I can tell how fast I'm going I can tell how much gas I have and my doors will not lock themselves. I have had the computer reset. We have diconnected the negitive battery cable and reconnected it. We have beat on the dash till they come back on. These are only temp fixes because pretty soon here comes the lights out goes the gauges. The transmission was replaced 2 years ago because aparently after about 79000 miles the transmissions go out on these vans. …”

NHTSA complaint #10124270, filed 2005-06, 80,000 miles

Suspension: “1997 Dodge caravan has severe strut tower corrosion on front drivers side. This has not failed yet, but could cause crash if strut comes through top of housing.”

NHTSA complaint #10137063, filed 2005-09

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 98,023 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–75100%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 89,012 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

19984200042003200542008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Dodge Van in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.

Other model years of the Dodge Van

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20021844,1870———Stable
20011552,9000———Stable
20001961,8630———Stable
199917106,2640———Stable
19982489,5000———Stable
19972489,0120———Stable
199618265,8570———Stable
199510—0———Not enough data
19949—0———Not enough data
19915—1———Not enough data
1977847,5300———Not enough data

All Dodge Van model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Dodge Van have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1997 Dodge Van as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Dodge Van is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (17% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.

Has the 1997 Dodge Van been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Dodge Van reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,012 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 98,023 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.