Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Serpentine belt comes off while driving in snow causing loss of power steering on slippery road surfaces. Loss of vehicle control and ability to regain vehicle control was compromised by lack of steering assist causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. I contacted Chrysler and they said there is no recall for my vehicle.this was a very dangerous situation as a school bus was near my vehicle when this incident happened. This issue needs to be addressed and a recall should be mandated.
Car suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway at 60mph; engine remained on. I pulled over, turned off the car, and it started back up again and drove fine for about 2 miles. 'service engine soon' light came on. When it lost power again, I slowed and then tried to reaccelerate, and it drove fine for about 5 miles, enough to get me off the freeway and to a safe location. I checked the oil and transmission levels, which were OK, and there was nothing leaking under the car. Went to an appointment, and came back to the car, which started up and drove OK for about a half mile, then it shut down completely at a traffic light. This time it wouldn't start back up again, so I pushed it onto a side street, where it started up fine and drove to the nearest gas/repair station. Now, the van won't start again. Van was proceeding straight in all situations.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at 62 MPH, the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument cluster and the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
I have a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan last year on December 2007 my serpentine belt came off while I was making a right on one street under the rain, I almost lost control off my car but I was fortunate that no cars were around. It was hard for me to drive my car but I called the mechanic and he told me not worry that I would be able to get safe to the shop. That incident broke my windshield hose water, my air conditioner and my steering wheel hose and heat it up the car so I had to stop several times before I got to the mechanic shop. I was so afraid but I got safe. Then it happen again a week later, I was so angry with the mechanic because I thought that he didn't do nothing to my car and that he was taking my money only, since I was around the corner I was able to go back to him. …
As I am driving my van will suddenly jerk forward and the service engine soon light comes on and then goes off, and shortly after that the van suddenly dies. I have had it back to the dealer many,many times since I bought it in feb,2004 and they have drove it and put it on machines and can't figure out what and why it's doing this. I just found out the previous owner and original one had the same problem and so he got rid of it.when it suddenly dies I have no steering, brakes etc. And that is very dangerous when you are in heavy 4 lane traffic and no where to go. I want to know why this hasn't been recalled and corrected, I have talked to several people who has the same problem and I want to know why and how this can be corrected before I or someone gets killed or injured. …
This is the fourth time in the last several months that my serpentine belt fell off while turning a corner. I have a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan sport se (3.3). The first two times it was raining and the second two times were in good weather. Each time it was quite a jerk when the power steering went out on the turn. What if this had happened on the highway when I wouldn't have been able to control the vehicle??? Obviously, this is quite a hassle having to get the car towed each time and having the mechanic put the belt back on and look for the problem, and not being able to trust my vehicle anymore. My mechanic replaced the tensioner,belt, and pulleys with the gates mv conversion kit. He was aware of this being a common problem. I also read online about all the other people with the same problem and how this seemed to be the only fix that worked. …
Terrible squealing noise in belt area. Dealer charged ~$250 for belt and tensioner replacement and noise was greatly reduced. Several years later the noise returned and grew even worse. Replaced the worn belt and noise was greatly reduced for about two weeks. After the noise returned, removed the belt and checked all pulleys - found no problems. Replaced tensioner and idler pulleys anyway (~$20 each from dealer) and reinstalled belt. Noise was reduced for about two days. Took van to dealer who said that it was the tensioner and were surpised that it had lasted as long as it did. I purchased and installed a new alternator, power steering pump and tensioner. The noise was greatly reduced, but returned full force within a couple of days. In desperation I turned to belt dressing as a possible solution since I had cleaned all of the pulleys prior to belt reinstallation. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. Whenever the contact shifts, the vehicle makes an unfamiliar noise. When the vehicle is parked, it operates normally. The transmission stalls and will start back up, but it is unreliable. The vehicle would rev and have to be restarted in order for the revving to stop. If there is a power fluctuation, the rear wipers will turn on and off at random. The high beams on the headlights do not work, but the failure was repaired. The parking light on the front driver's side failed. He replaced the bulb, but it still does not work. The contact stated that he is constantly replacing the low beam lights. The serpentine belt slips off; however, it has been repaired. The check engine light flashes on and off and there is a burning electrical smell coming from the vehicle. The front strut assembly is rusting and rotting. …
The vehicle's ABS and check engine light have been going on and off for about 6 months. We had a mechanic look into it and replaced a relay or switch that belonged to the blower motors (fans by radiator). The lights seemed to go away until a couple of weeks ago, the ABS light returned and the brakes act as though they are going to give out at any time. They have to be depressed for quite a length of time before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. There is also a weird sound of air or as if air where coming out when the brakes get depressed. I have had to add fluid once or twice a week and have been told by a mechanic buddy that there is very good chance its the brake booster due to the sound of air. I went online and noticed there were recalls for this in a couple of Grand caravans but my VIN # doesn't fall into the suggested VIN range.
Serpentine belt comes off when vehicle has gone through water, snow or slush causing loss of steering control, electrical power, engine cooling; all of which May be cause of other problems if vehicle is not immediately stopped and taken somewhere for the belt to be re-installed. Manufacturer has identified problem and a solution (TSB#070299, NHTSA#606159), which is engineering related, yet does not release this as a recall. It was serviced 8/12/03 (blouin) to replace the original belt, has had problem since that replacement yet manufacturer does not acknowledge responsibility to correct their enginerring error at their cost (lee). Repair should be a recall condition to repair a situation that can cause fatalities if it occurred under highway conditions.
Engine complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 18% of the model year's 583 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (46 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 13 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.