Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
My wife park the van inside the garage, turn off the radio, engine and lights. She open the drivers door and see flames and smoke coming by the parking brake handler. And all the lights on the van were on. She remove the kids from the van and my son call 911.police and fire department came and extinguish the fire, remove the van from the garage and check it and found possible electrical malfunction .check the van today 8-24 2013 and found that the fire start at the head light switch. Dim switch OK and mirror switch OK. The fire damage the left side of the dashboard, windshield, sun visor and celling. I have this van since new, never have a problem before. And never see a problem like this.
1) defect result of normal use, no exceptional situation just normal every day use.related to two vehicles one 1996 Caravan, another 1997 Caravan. 2) exesive haze buildoff on headlights(plastic lens) I can contribute a loss of proper distance ilumination, for witch several atempts of diferent methods where tried to correct problem, resulting in pedestrian struct accident on dark night,my driving record had been ticket, accident clear for more than 30 years. 3) several polishing methods where attempted with different advertised products resulting in slight temporary improvements always resulting in lesser time recurrance of problem, can not afford to replace all 4 with new parts due to excesive cost $135.00 each, anly replaced one after accident and yes have parts if need to be submitted. …
Dt: consumer complained about electrical problems. Instrument panel did not work. The instrument cluster was digital. Buttons for air conditioner and rear defroster flashed constantly. Consumer took vehicle to garage, and they recommended Dodge dealer. Also, windshield wipers came on their own. Vehicle did not have to be on running for windshield wipers to come on. They came on about every two weeks. Also, traveling interior lights came on. Consumer stopped lights from coming on by putting tape on door. Consumer believed these were different issues. He replaced fan control module last year, and that did not help. Consumer added that pounding on the dashboard made the dash light illuminate.
Headlight housing on 1997 Dodge se grand Caravan. The plastic lens of the headlight housing in which the headlight bulb is encased has discolored, thereby, obscuring the light generated by the headlight bulb. This has occurred on both the right and left headlight housings. I have surveyed other minivans of the same vintage and noticed they too were discolored. It concerned me so much that I purchased two new headlight housings from off the internet (not mopar). There is probably a safety factor with this defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH the headlights malfunctioned and the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test who confirmed that the body control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the body control module replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the failure. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive at night. The failure mileage was 164,000.
The headlights were made of plastic and have oxidized to the point that the consumer had to drive at night with the high beams on. The consumer stated that the film was so bad that he could not see the bulb inside the cover.
At one time, before 1960, front turn signals were white, then they changed to amber and have remained so for 40 years. I would like to have it stated that front turn signalsshall only be amber in color. Rear turn signals, also at one time they were red then the manufacturers created the 3 color tail light red for stop and tail, amber for turn and white for back-up. Unfortunately many have combined the tail and brake in to a lower cost single lamp . I would like to see the return to the amber turn signal. With the huge market we have for vehicles we have the economic power to make an impact for change. Side marker lamps. When these were required they were separate lights. Now they are integrated into the tail lamps and have wrapped around the rear structure of the vehicle and in many cases are a now a single lamp that has tail, side marker and brakes as part of the dual filament bulb. …
Replacement of failed bulb caused abrasions to hand access door is too small, and a wiring harness obstructs access to light socket. Two bulbs shattered. Dealer had to disassemble battery and electrical bus to access the light socket, 30 min labor, $45 cost. Difficulty of replacement discourages safe maintenance of lighting, and cuts your hands.
While backing out, noticed vehicle had no tail lights. Dealer has been contacted, and repaired vehicle, but problem has returned every year. *akproblem is still occuring. A Dodge mechanic told consumer that it's a problem with the switch on the transmission.
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).
Headlight complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1997 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the lights of the 1997 Dodge Caravan, 3% of the model year's 714 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Caravan headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to lights 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.