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 Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
August 12, 2004 re: dangerous runaway-vehicle 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan VIN [redacted] this is to document a very dangerous situation that occurred on July 22, 2004 with the above vehicle. The minivan has been very well maintained and at the time of the incident had about 124,800 miles on it. My wife, [redacted], was driving the vehicle in a northwest direction on I-40 from wilmington to chapel hill . She was using the cruise control and is not clear exactly what the situation was prior to the incident although it is likely that she had accelerated to pass another vehicle. Suddenly the car was going over 90 MPH and wouldn t stop although she used the brakes with all her force. She turned off the ignition and braked to a stop on the shoulder, with the brakes smoking and in flame. In trying to restart the car, the engine speed took off and she shut it down and called aaa for a tow. …
I purchased my 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan from a private party in 2009, and shortly after the gauge cluster stopped functioning while I was driving. Check engine and ABS lights came on which on checking with my mechanic said my ABS system is non-functional as is all other instrument related readings. A short time later, the panel came back on and worked for awhile than shut off again. Someone said hit the panel face and the gauges should come back on. I did and it did. For awhile. Over time the gauge failure interval grew shorter and shorter, and hitting the panel finally failed to return the use of the gauges. To replace this gauge cluster is an $800.00 plus repair in a shop with a rebuild panel costing over $200.00 by itself. I don't want to know what a dealer will charge. …
While stopping another vehicle hit consumer from behind, causing consumer to run into vehicle in front. Then, consumer ran into a fence. Passenger's side air bag deployed, but driver's side air bag did not deploy. Driver's side seat belt came loose and hung driver by left arm. Driver's seat broke, fell back, and hit child in car seat in the head, the middle seat where two toddlers were, also broke and flipped backward, consumer was injured, also stated horn and cruise control did not work, possible clockspring failure.
While driving at low speeds, the van lunged forward. The actual cause was undetermined, but the dealer stated the engine's front cylinder malfunctioned. This condition was considered a defect per mechanic(s). This problem existed in this make/model for some time and had many complaints and repairs. There was no help given by the dealer.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision . Upon impact, airbags did not deploy, causing minor injuries. Since incident, SRS light stayed illuminated while driving, and horn assembly/ cruise control became inoperable.
While in driveway vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed to 30-40 MPH in a short distance with foot still on brake, causing vehicle to crash into a tree. Prior to incident consumer smelled wires burning.
Clock spring failed, disabling horn, airbag, and cruise control. When we brought it to the dealer, we were told that it is a common problem, but that since the vehicle was out of warranty we would have to pay $250 for the repair. Since then, two other friends with the same car have had their clock spring fail, and they have had to pay for the repair. Chrysler has issued a service bulletin (08-010-01) for the repair, but refuses to provide the repair at no, or a reduced, cost. As the horn and airbag were disabled, I feel that this should have been covered as a safety issue recall.
The airbag warning light on the dash has been activated. The horn and speed control are also inoperable which occurred about the same time the airbag light went on. Also, the windshield wipers activate occasionally even though the switch is in the off position. The outside mirrors also move when the automatic door locks are activated. It is my understanding that the air bag, horn and speed control problems are currently being investigated by NHTSA. A faulty clockspring assembly is the possible culprit.
Clockspring unit fails to provide power to airbag, horn and cruise control switches in steering wheel. This unit can fail in an accident and prevent airbag from being deployed. Dc has sold over 150,000 replacement clocksprings at over $250 a piece. This is an obvious manufactures defect. I was unable to blow my horn at another driver to get his attention. Luckily no accident occurred. However unit has to be replaced as I am with no horn, no cruise control controls, and an airbag malfunction light.
1)clock spring assy. Failed due to manufacturer defect. It causes air bag light to come on disabling air bag, cruise and horn also wont work. I have a digital picture of the failed part if you would like it. 2) belt tensioner just broke off while driving in traffic causing no powrer steering and very little brakes. Appeared the stud that goes through it snapped into.
NHTSA investigations
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 8% of the model year's 583 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 5 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 Grand Caravan acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 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.