10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Dodge Caravan brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 022001

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes would shutter when depressed. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced pads and rotors consumer insisted that pads and rotors should have been able to be turned instead of replaced. Also, parts were defective, and manufacturer should not sale these parts. Consumer feared for safety of child.

- Greenfield, MA, USA

problem #6

Mar 012001

Caravan

  • miles
The front, driver side calipers do not release which overheat the wheel. On two occasions the brake pads have sheared off, and when the tires are removed to inspect, studs easily brake off. Sears auto center broke off two studs after the 1st incident, and I broke off one stud after the 2nd incident on June 15, 2001. The negherbon service dept had replaced the caliper kit (springs and tracks) on 3/13/01. The wheel gets so hot that you burn your finger if you touch it. This problem does not happen every time. The overheating happens during times when the brakes are used often (benicia is very hilly), and does not happen during highway rides, when there is no traffic. My concern is that when the brakes starts to heat up do to use, the caliper does not release as freely, and eventually locks up and does not release at all (after the 1st incident I had to hammer off the old brake pads/caliper assembly from the rotor). Hopefully you can help identify the root problem before this causes a serious accident. I am very concerned that this overheating will cause a blowout or a wheel to come off if the studs fail while the van is being driven.

- Benicia, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 072000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Bad design, very poor performance and durability. Rotors warp and pads fall apart.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 211997

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dodge does not want to pay for the defective brake systems. Even when this is the second time in two years.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 181998

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
All four brake rotors deteriorated. Dealer has been contacted. Pads replaced. Mjs

- New Era, MI, USA

problem #2

Jul 011999

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front brake rotors and pads needed to be replaced at 14,000 mile of wear. Can NHTSA provide additional information on this matter.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 071998

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Brakes are defective, and rotors/pads have failed four different times. Also causing brakes to grind. Dealers cannot correct cause.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

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