Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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. 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 strut tower on the 1997 Dodge Caravan, that has 99,500 miles rusted and needed to be replaced. After researching this problem I discovered that this was a common problem. Dodge admitted to a design flaw for the premature rusting strut towers. A tech service bulletin from Chrysler dated October '02 explicitly stated that all '1996 to 19'99 Chrysler vans Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler, had the problem with the strut towers. All of them will eventually rust from the bottom up. As I stated, the strut towers were defective in there design. Clearly, when the rusted strut tower gives, the strut will come up through the hood. At that point, lives will be in danger, as the probability of losing control of the vehicle is inevitable. Please consider this my formal complaint. Will Chrysler live up to the responsibility and repair this know defect for those of us out of the warranty timeline.
Upon turning left, the left front strut sheared from lower control arm. (ball joint failure) the wheel assembly remained attached at the upper mount of the strut, but turned and pushed sideways against the bodywork, pulling the axle out of the trans and destroying the cv joint. The car skidded to a stop with no steering control. There were no injuries. This is the second time this has happened. The previous incident occurred two years earlier (about 20K miles ago). The upper portion of the strut had a failure under similar conditions with similar results. The strut was replaced, but the lower control arm May not have been.
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle rpms dropped to zero, the vehicle jerked, and the engine stalled completely. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, and was able to restart the vehicle after 10 minutes. The vehicle has not been taken in for inspection. The consumer stated several attempts have been made to fix the vehicle. The oil pan was leaking oil. The valve cover gaskets were replaced. The transmission was heavily damaged and had to be replaced. The power steering pump was replaced. The front end of the vehicle pulled to the left. Updated 08/15/06.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to the auto shop for tire replacement and a wheel alignment. The mechanic alerted the owner of the vehicle about a possibility of a left spring support May become fractured due to heavy corrosion. The mechanic stated to the owner that many of these vehicles have the same problem and there has not been a recall for this issue.
Make : Dodge model : Caravan year : 1998 manufacturer : daimler Chrysler corporation service bulletin num : 2304402 date of bulletin: oct 14, 2002 NHTSA item number: 10000317 component: structure:body summary: cosmetic corrosion or perforation at upper strut tower/s usually between the strut and upper load path beam inner panel (inner fender).
The 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan front and rear brake pads and rotors wear out nearly every month. The vehicle begins to sway while driving 55mph on freeway or when changing lanes. The emergency brake light is on due to a leakage in the brakes. The EGR valve keeps going out and the service engine light is on.
Part 1 1/2 the gas line decaying and the suspension strut mounts rusting away, both of these are deadly, a rusty/corroded break line will just leak a drop at the time, most people just refill the fluid reservoir and never think about again, eventually the break line fails all at once, this is because you actually put more pressure on the lines than usual and the weak spot ruptures like a weak spot in a balloon would. That means that you were in a bad situation already and now you don't have any breaking power at all. What do you think happens next??? All break lines are stainless steal so as to resist rust and corrosion, the only reason a break line fails in this little amount of time is because the manufacture is producing an inferior product and should have already been made to correct the problem. …
Part 1 1/2 the gas line decaying and the suspension strut mounts rusting away, both of these are deadly, a rusty/corroded break line will just leak a drop at the time, most people just refill the fluid reservoir and never think about again, eventually the break line fails all at once, this is because you actually put more pressure on the lines than usual and the weak spot ruptures like a weak spot in a balloon would. That means that you were in a bad situation already and now you don't have any breaking power at all. What do you think happens next??? All break lines are stainless steal so as to resist rust and corrosion, the only reason a break line fails in this little amount of time is because the manufacture is producing an inferior product and should have already been made to correct the problem. …
Part 1.... I used to be a mechanic and tow truck operator. My Mini van "like most others" is usually driven by a female & with a load of children. If driving in rain or through a water puddle the belt jumps off causing loss of power steering overheating battery drain etc, is a dangerous even deadly problem, if a turn is needed at the time this belt jumps off, even a strong healthy man can leave the line of intended travel and hit what ever is in the way, a curb, a pedestrian or even cause a head on collision. This mostly happens during rainy/nasty days & because of the complexity of replacing the belt, and the damage that is caused when it comes off, the vehicle usually requires a tow 4 repair. It is stated that, when a consumer makes a complaint & if the same complaint is repeated an investigation will be started. …
Suspension complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3% of the model year's 583 complaints. The component named most often is front (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles.
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.