10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 1
Average Mileage:
76,174 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 Grand Caravan seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Oct 272010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 220,000 miles

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

The 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

- Oxford, WI, USA

problem #22

Apr 162009

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,500 miles
The 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.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #21

Jan 172005

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles
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.

- Inverness , MS, USA

problem #20

Dec 232004

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 189,000 miles

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

Consumer was driving at approximately 10 to 15 mph, and while crossing the railroad tracks, both front air bags deployed. Vehicle did not hit anything. When the airbags deployed it cracked the front windshield.

- Pinole, CA, USA

problem #19

Jul 202004

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,353 miles
After being involved in a head on collision the air bags did not deploy.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #18

Jun 012004

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
Vehicle is being recalled for a clock spring failure. However, parts are currently not available. The cruise was inoperative, the air bag light and brake light stayed on. Recall#02V293000 and recall#96V215000.

- Greensboro, FL, USA

problem #17

Mar 202004

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

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

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).

- Lynnfield, MA, USA

problem #16

Nov 052003

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle hit a deer while driving at 45mph. Upon impact with the deer, neither air bag deployed. Please provide correct VIN number upon receipt of this complaint.

- Beardstown, IL, USA

problem #15

Jul 112003

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,122 miles
The front brakes were worn, air bag light illuminated, tensioner assembly failed, horn was inoperable, and the water pump leaked. As corrections, all defective componets were replaced.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #14

May 292003

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While traveling 5 mph and without any indication frontal air bags deployed. Dealer has been contacted.

- Highland, MI, USA

problem #13

Apr 262003

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,550 miles

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

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, [xxx] at the M-59 Dodge dealer who said that we would be contacted and the matter investigated. I spoke to a [xxx]., with the Chrysler investigations dept who stated to me that they determined that the air bags deployed from impact with a speed bump and no further assistance would be forthcoming. We feel that this should be looked at as a possible problem in the air bag system and at the least have the car fixed, as our dash board is all tore apart at this time, making the car virtually undrivable. We have major concerns about what happened as this could possibly have been a worse situation if we had been driving highway speeds and passed a bump or hit a pot hole and these bags had deployed, causing loss of control and a possible accident/fatality. The vehicle involved is a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan, VIN # [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Highland, MI, USA

problem #12

Oct 022002

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • 480,026 miles
Similar, or maybe identical clock spring module, under NHTSA recall 1531(daimler/Chrysler recall #982) June 18, 2001. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768015

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 142002

Grand Caravan 6-cyl

  • 82,456 miles
Was told that horn needed fuse. Discovered later that cruise control didn't work. Web research points to failed clock spring mechanism. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*767682

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #10

Sep 202001

Grand Caravan

  • 60,000 miles
The air bag light illuminated on the dash board, the dealer replaced the clock spring assembly.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 302002

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Consumer experiencing problems with air bag clockspring. Horn has stopped working. Dealer notified.

- Flower Round, TX, USA

problem #8

Mar 162002

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While driving 40mph and slowing down consumer's vehicle rearended by another vehicle, causing a chain reaction. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. Rear anf frontal impact.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

problem #7

Dec 012001

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While traveling approximately 15 mph, vehicle "bottomed-out" while traveling up a driveway. When this occurred, both frontal air bags in vehicle deployed unexpectedly. Dealership has replaced both frontal air bags, and air bag sensors. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- West Allis, WI, USA

problem #6

Mar 282001

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 172000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While driving and making a left both air bags deployed without prior warning. Consumer said that this happened without hitting anything, they just deployed.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 012000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
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.

- Cordova, TN, USA

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