Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. While stopped and preparing to pull into a driveway, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the passenger side, destroying the front of the vehicle. The driver side air bag did not deploy, however the passenger side air bag did deploy. The driver of the vehicle was killed. The vehicle was declared destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000. Updated 03/23/11
Dt: dt: the consumer purchased the vehicle from an individual. The vehicle caught on fire and was deemed totaled. After the accident the consumer learned of two recalls on the vehicle, one for the fuel rail and one for the air bags. The air bag did not deploy during the accident. The manufacturer sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle. There was conflicting information on the letter sent to consumer. This happened on January 17, 2005 .
While driving 45 MPH consumer's vehicle was hit by another vehicle that crossed over the median. Upon impact, passenger's side air bag deployed but the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Driver's ankle was shattered and received contusions to the chest.
On 04-26-2003 my family and I were leaving the detroit metro airport parking garage. We had just left our parking spot when we passed over what I assumed was a speed bump going approximately 5 MPH heading toward the ticket booth which was just ahead. As we passed this speed bump our air bags spontaneously deployed for no apparent reason. There is no damage to our vehicle that would justify the air bags going off as they did. We have informed our dealership of this problem, as we feel that the air bags are faulty, and they also agreed at that time that there was no cause for the air bags to deploy. I spoke to the service manager, [redacted] at the m-59 Dodge dealer who said that we would be contacted and the matter investigated. I spoke to a [redacted]. …
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.
Tl contact's spouse owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 30 MPH, the check engine and air bag lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The contact received a recall notice for the clock spring, but he did not have the vehicle serviced because the Dodge dealer stated that there was no need to service the vehicle since the air bag light was not illuminated at the time. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 101,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel, which indicated that the air bags were inoperative. He called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 02V293000 (air bags:frontal) and was advised that the parts for the repair were on back order. The vehicle has not yet been repaired according to the recall. The failure and current mileages were 69,500. Updated 05/27/09. Updated 05/28/09.
The air bag light in our '97 Dodge Caravan has started coming on intermittently. Indications are that it is due to an intermittent clockspring wiring harness in the steering column, meaning that the horn and cruise control would not work as well as the driver's side airbag. It appears this clockspring failure mode is being investigated by the NHTSA, but there is no recall. I will probably have to pay the dealer to fix it (around $200).
While driving at 65 MPH, the consumer noticed that the air bag light came on. The consumer attempted to slow the vehicle, but discovered the brakes were not working properly. After depressing the brakes, it took the vehicle over 100 yards to stop. The brake master cylinder was replaced, but the problem continued.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
On certain Mini vans, the clockspring assembly May have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage.
Airbag complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 107 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 18% of the model year's 583 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-293 (frontal, Nov 7, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 17 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.