10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,421 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Jun 162005

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just back from a road trip the vehicle started acting up, it would keep speeding like it was accelerating on its on, had to pull off the road, turn off the engine and physically push the throttle down, it's like it gets stuck. It would do that after turning on the cruise control, and even after turning it off, it still would run away. It would only do this during time periods of using the cruise control. During that particular trip. This would happen regardless if the cruise was off or on. Had to brake very hard in order to get the vehicle to slow down to pull off. Customer stated the throttle sticks with cruise when on and after it has been on does not happen unless cruise has been on seems like it wants to drive away. The consumer stated a vacuum hose associated with the cruise control was replaced. Updated 09/14/07.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #37

Jul 102003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
The cruise control stopped working. Then the air bag light came on. I later realized that the horn doesn't work. I reported this to the dealer service dept. At a nys inspection visit. The vehicle passed inspection. I have had several incidents where I needed to use the horn, and was unable to. This is a serious safety defect.

- Spencerport, NY, USA

problem #36

Feb 042004

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
We bought this van one year ago and so far we had to replace both oxygen sensor, speed sensor, head gasket, water pump, the transmission is slipping, doors lock and unlock whenever they want not just the 16 mph thing, ball joints are clunking, the cd player quit and then soon after fm radio only am works.

- Riverview, MI, USA

problem #35

Jan 012002

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently learned about your web site service and decided to use it. Because I have experienced too many problems (various in addition to this list) over the past years with this vehicle.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #34

Aug 062002

Caravan

  • miles
The steering wheel clockspring failure results in the simultaneous failure of the airbag system, horn, and cruise control.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #33

Aug 202002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
The air bag indicator light came on and stayed on and now the cruise control and horn do not work. I have researched this problem and it seems that this is a very common problem. It is stated that the "clock spring" is the part in question, this seems to have been a safety issue at one time (NHTSA# 98V046) for a different model, why is it not a safety recall item now? it is my understanding the the air bag will not perform with this particular part defective, which would lead me to believe that this could cause serious damages or worse yet "death ". if we get a reduction in our insurance premiums for purchasing restraint systems such as this, it should be upon the manufacturer to stand behind the product.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #32

Mar 012002

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Airbag, horn, and cruise control all failed at the same time. Cause is the clockspring module behind the steering wheel. This is a safefy hazzard and Chrysler should pay the repair. This is a common problem on this mini van.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #31

Jul 012002

Caravan

  • miles
First the air bag light went on and did not go off. Then the horn stopped working. Then the cruise control did not come on. I took the van to the local Dodge dealer and the diagnosis is that clock spring in the steering wheel needs to be replaced. In the current condition the air bag will not deploy on the driver side in the event of an accident. The estimated cost is ~ $300. I have scheduled the work for next week. I called Chrysler and was told that since there is not a recall for this they will not participate in the repair cost. This is a safety issue if the air bag will not deploy. Per articles on the internet Chrysler has replaces over 124,000 clock springs, on their own admission!

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

problem #30

Jul 012002

Caravan

  • miles
Dodge Caravan safety issue with the air bag. The air bag light stays on, the horn does not function and the cruise control does not work. My mechanic and the dealer both found this to be a defective clock spring in the steering wheel.

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

problem #29

Mar 132002

Caravan

  • miles
First time clockspring failure rendered driver airbag inoperative. Second failure rendered cruise control inoperative. A non-working airbag is a safety issue.

- Poway, CA, USA

problem #28

Jun 142002

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Air bag/ horn and crusie control failed due to clockspring malfunctioning. Horn could not be used in a emergency situation. Dealer was notified.

- Mesa, AR, USA

problem #27

Jun 242002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
My airbag light came on, cruise control was lost and horn does not work. I understand there have been other complaints regarding the clock spring failure on Dodge Caravan.

- Audubon, PA, USA

problem #26

May 032002

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly while stopped, the dealer has been notified.

- Syracracuse, NY, USA

problem #25

Apr 152002

Caravan

  • miles
Clock spring failed, causing cruise control/air bags, and horn not to work. Chrysler said part not covered under warranty. If part is considered a wiring harness then it should be covered under warranty that we purchased.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #24

Feb 012002

Caravan

  • miles
This failure causes the airbag to not work, the horn to not work and no cruise control. I have also heard the the airbag may deply at any time. This could be a problem if going down the road at 65 mph. This is a defective part and Chrysler should recall and repair. I understand that other cars with same problem has been recalled (some Jeep and trucks).

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #23

Feb 112002

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, consumer attempted to activate cruise control, but it would not work, the dealer could not find the problem.

- Cross Lines, OH, USA

problem #22

Oct 232001

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Informed that clock work mechanism is defective under steering wheel cover, this controls the airbag, cruise control and horn. Told by dealership this was a common problem and was not covered under extended warranty.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #21

Oct 012001

Caravan

  • miles
Air bag light on instrument panel has been illuminating/ horn does not function when needed, and cruise control fails to operate. Dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that clock spring assembly in steering column has failed, and has to be replaced. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- East Hampton, MA, USA

problem #20

Sep 272001

Caravan

  • miles
Consumer was traveling 65mph on highway and came to a off ramp, he stopped at T stop sign and made right turn into traffic. Roared and surged into traffic. Had foot on brakes, and the vehicle continued to go. Had to shut vehicle off. Dealership was aware of the problem. In first incident vehicle ran into a tree. There were injuries.

- Cuba, NY, USA

problem #19

Aug 032001

Caravan

  • miles
The airbag warning light came on. At the same time, the horn and the cruise control ceased to function. In addition, the wipers come on at random, but especially upon using turn signals (wiper controls are incorporated into the turn signal lever).

- Triadelphia, WV, USA

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