RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Mini Ram Van

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Aug 24, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Dodge Mini Ram Van, most frequently naming the exterior lighting and visibility categories. 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting150.0%
  • Visibility150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 24, 2005

1997 DODGE CARAVAN HEADLIGHTS LOST PART OF THEIR CAPABILITY TO LIGHT UP THE ROAD.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE PLASTIC COVERS WERE HEAVILY PITTED WITH A FOG-LIKE APPEARANCE PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA DIRECTLY AHEAD OF THE LIGHTS RESULTING IN DIFFUSION WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE INTENSITY OF THE HEADLIGHT BEAM ON BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM. *SC

NHTSA ID
10134541
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2003

WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK A CHRYSLER DEALER IN INDIANA STATED A LOT OF '97 CARAVAN'S HAVE THIS DEFECT. CONSUMER NOTED IT IS IRRITATING, DISTRACTING, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER REQUESTED A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION TO GET THE FAILURE REPAIRED. *PH

NHTSA ID
10033572
Incident
Aug 11, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-005-19

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

3100519

STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Mini Ram Van by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999100
1997Viewing200
1996500
1995100
1994001
1993201
1992201
1991101
1990002
1989102
1988132
1987012
1986012
1985132
1984332

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.