Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
While driving, the air bag light illuminated. The dealer has been notified, and the mechanic stated that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The consumer also stated that the cruise control works part time, and the check engine light stays on.
Dt: 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.
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.
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 ~ $300.00. 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!
Cruise control became inoperative and drove consumer off the interstate onto the shoulder at 70 MPH. The cruise would not respond to the brake pedal or the controls on the steering wheel. After replacing the clock spring per recall, the service dealer assured the consumer the cruise was repaired. The problem returned when the consumer's wife had driven the vehicle. It was found that the throttle cable leading from the cruise control mechanism to the throttle itself failed at the point of the exit from the cable strands in the cable were pulled back into the cable housing locking the action of the cable, and caused failure.
I have experienced failures in my steering colmn which does not allow me to use my horn, cruise control, and I am afraid that my air bag does not work. The airbag light stays on along with ABS and intermitant other lights. I have had to repair my transmission and it still does not work properly. Slipping from time to time. The rear A/C fan switch only works in the low and high position. Trassmision gives off a burning smell when hot.
Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with accelerator pedal stickig while driving. Consumer can move foot off pedal and the vehicle would maintain speed as though the cruise control was engaged. Foot needs to be placd uder the pedal and push upward to unstick pedal.... Vehicle been in dealer shop on three occasions, and dealer refused to correct the problem due to warranty dispute. Can NHTSA help in tis matter.
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 jeeps and trucks).
NHTSA investigations
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
Acceleration complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 6% of the model year's 714 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Caravan acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1997 Dodge Caravan, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Caravan acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.