10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,428 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 Grand Caravan steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 202006

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,995 miles

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

: the contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle rpms dropped to zero, the vehicle jerked, and the engine stalled completely. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, and was able to restart the vehicle after 10 minutes. The vehicle has not been taken in for inspection. The consumer stated several attempts have been made to fix the vehicle. The oil pan was leaking oil. The valve cover gaskets were replaced. The transmission was heavily damaged and had to be replaced. The power steering pump was replaced. The front end of the vehicle pulled to the left. Updated 08/15/06.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #6

Mar 052000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, consumer smelled smoke, pulled over and smoke and flames started coming from the hood, fire originated from a leaky power steering line at the rear of the power steering pump, claim 05-4462-943.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 052000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, consumer smelled smoke, pulled over and smoke and flames started coming from the hood, fire originated from a leaky power steering line at the rear of the power steering pump, claim 05-4462-943.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 191998

Grand Caravan

  • miles

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

Part 4612894ac tensioner caused the failure of part 4861322 belt-drv with A/C. the first occurrence, 10/98, resulted in the car coming to a dead halt. Had this occurred a few minutes earlier, while on the tollway, I would not be here to write about this. Since then, the battery failed 1/10/2000 (possibly related) and the tensioner/belt failed soon after, resulting in water pump failure. The tensioner, belt and pump were replaced. A coworker advised me that his tensioner has failed 4 times - approx. Every 15,000 miles. My occurences have happened within similar timespans. I have no confidence in the vehicle, as I dread the failure of the tensioner while on my daily commute to work at expressway speeds. A sudden stop with the failure of the belt is extremely hazardous.

- Niles, IL, USA

problem #3

Nov 211999

Grand Caravan

  • miles
When driving through puddles at any speed, the power steering goes out. Dealer recently replaced belt tensioner, but this did not solve problem.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #2

Aug 211999

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Belt tensioner suffered catistrophic failure causing main belt to disengage and sudden loss of steering.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #1

Jan 021999

Grand Caravan

  • miles
When driving in city or on freeway the belt comes off and the power steering goes out. Shortly after the warning lights come on, battery not charging ex. Dealership will repair belt. The last time dealer changed belt.

- Springfield, OH, USA

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