Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
24
Latest Jul 1, 2008
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.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Sep 19, 1997
What this page shows
Our database holds 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Dodge Van. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–24 of 24
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2008
I OWN A 1997 DODGE VOYAGER VAN AND HAVE BEEN HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE PS, AC, AND ALTERNATOR BELT SLIPPING OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PS AND ALTERNATOR MOUNTING BRACKETS. AT BEST, I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME USING THE ELECTRICITY FROM THE BATTERY TO POWER THE SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE NOT HAD PS BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPED BELT. THE MOST RECENT EVENT HAPPENED ON 6/30/08. SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AND MAY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP AS MANY TIMES. THE PS MOUNTING BRACKET IS GOING TO NEED REPLACEMENT (AGAIN) OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT HAVE BROKEN OFF DUE TO THE STRAIN OF THE BELT SLIPPING OFF. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT ALL OF THE PULLEYS AND MOUNTING BRACKETS HAVE, BY NOW, BEEN REPLACED AND WERE IN WORKING ORDER AND CAN NOT GIVE ME A REASON WHY THE BELT KEEPS SLIPPING OFF. I WAS REFERRED TO THIS SITE, THROUGH THE INTERNET, BY MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CHRYSLER OR DODGE VANS. IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT MAKE CORRECT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10232794
Incident
Jun 30, 2008
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 8, 2007
1997 DODGE 3500 MAXI VAN WITH TIRE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. **CC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES, ON THE SAME VEHICLE, DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. THE STEM MANUFACTURERS ARE EHA SCHRADER AND FHA
NHTSA ID
10182683
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Suspension
Filed Sep 20, 2005
1997 DODGE CARAVAN HAS SEVERE STRUT TOWER CORROSION ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THIS HAS NOT FAILED YET, BUT COULD CAUSE CRASH IF STRUT COMES THROUGH TOP OF HOUSING. *JB
NHTSA ID
10137063
Incident
Sep 18, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jun 6, 2005
THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS WITH THE GAUGES. MY ABS AND CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAUGES GO OUT. I CAN TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING I CAN TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK THEMSELVES. I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER RESET. WE HAVE DICONNECTED THE NEGITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND RECONNECTED IT. WE HAVE BEAT ON THE DASH TILL THEY COME BACK ON. THESE ARE ONLY TEMP FIXES BECAUSE PRETTY SOON HERE COMES THE LIGHTS OUT GOES THE GAUGES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO BECAUSE APARENTLY AFTER ABOUT 79000 MILES THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT ON THESE VANS. WE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SHIFTING FUNNY IS WHEN THIS PROBLEM ACCURES. I LOVE MY VAN I JUST CANT HANDLE ITS PROBLEMS. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES HAVING THIS PROBLEM EITHER EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO HAS REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AT 79000 MILES AND IS HAVING THE SAME GAUGE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING.
NHTSA ID
10124270
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 30, 2005
MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS IN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND AT 117,000 MILES I LEARNED MY TRANSMISSION IS ALSO GOING. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE 100,000. DON'T BUY ONE.*AK
NHTSA ID
10116062
Incident
Jan 14, 2005
Suspension
Filed Jan 4, 2005
Crash reported
BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON THE LFRONT LEFT TIRE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10105695
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Visibility
Filed Dec 15, 2004
THE HEATER CORE SPRUNG A LEAK WHILE DRIVING WHICH RENDERED THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FOGGED UP. THIS REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CUT THE WINDSHIELD OFF, AND DROVE THE REST OF THE TRIP WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, AND DEFOGGER SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC WHO HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING THE PART. THIS MAY BE DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING DESIGN. *AK *TC
NHTSA ID
10101160
Incident
Nov 5, 2004
Mileage
98,023 mi
Airbags
Filed May 4, 2004
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR 1997 DODGE VAN REGARDING AIR BAGS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CLOCKSPRING. (NAR) *MR THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED, BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER THEY INDICATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE (RECALL B24). *NM *CB
NHTSA ID
10073316
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 20, 2004
WHEN THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, IT RUPTURED THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE. *PH *NM
NHTSA ID
10071562
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 25, 2003
TIRE BLOW OUT. COMPLETE BLOW OF TREAD, RADIAL PLYS. ONLY SIDEWALLS REMAIN ON RIM.*AK
NHTSA ID
10029157
Incident
Jul 23, 2003
Transmission
Filed Jul 14, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported
MY 3 YEARS OLD DOUGHTER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. SHE RAN OVER MY SON WHO WAS GOING AROUND THE CAR TO ENTER FROM THE OTHER SIDE. THE CAR IS A DODGE VAN 1997. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE INCIDENTS AND THEY SAID THAT THE CARAVAN MODEL 1997 DID NOT COME WITH THIS SAFETY FEATURE"TO CHANGE GEARS FROM BRAKE, DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKES' I BELIVE THIS IS A AFTY FEATURE THT SHOULD BE RECALED AND FIXED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10026018
Incident
Aug 10, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Dec 12, 2001
THIS WILL BE MY 3RD FUEL PUMP IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS, THE SECOND ONE WAS JUST 6 MONTHS AGO.*AK
NHTSA ID
755578
Incident
Dec 12, 2001
Suspension
Filed Jun 20, 2001
BOTH DOOR MOUNTS REAR VIEW MIRRORS FOLD INTO THE DOOR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. THE CLAMP SCREWS STRIP OUT WHEN TIGHTENED RENDERING THE MIRRORS USELESS. REPLACEMENT COST OF MIRROR $125 EACH. *AK
NHTSA ID
747134
Incident
May 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed May 3, 2001
ROTORS BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CASTING. *AK
NHTSA ID
744877
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Dec 20, 2000
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND RUNNING THROUGH WATER, IT IS SPLASHING ONTO THE BELT, CAUSING VAN TO LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. **** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****738051. *AK *JB
NHTSA ID
10006353
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Jun 12, 2000
BRAKES FAILED, DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. NLM
NHTSA ID
552604
Incident
Apr 21, 1999
Airbags
Filed May 31, 2000
Crash reported5 injuries reported
ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY TRAVELING 60MPH, APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING FROM THE LEFT, RAN THE LIGHT AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, RUNNING IT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ID
862795
Incident
May 23, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Feb 15, 2000
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO THE SEAT BELTS. CONTACTED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. PLEASE NOTE THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE DIMS DATA BASE, NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER' S RECALL INFORMATION LISTED ON THE OWNER'S NOTICE. *AK
NHTSA ID
856910
Airbags
Filed Sep 8, 1999
AIR BAG MODULE UNDER FRONT DRIVERS SEAT.
NHTSA ID
609572
Incident
May 1, 1997
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jun 17, 1999
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT BACK INTO POSITION, AND MIDDLE ROW CAPTAIN SEAT BY THE SIDE DOORS HAS NEVER WORKED, TOTALLY INOPERATIVE.CHRYSLER AND COACHMAN WILL NOT TAKE THE RESPONDSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING THE PARTS OR FIXING THE SEATBELTS. ALSO, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR AIR BAG. BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX BECAUSE THEIR ANALISIS MACHINE WAS OFF. *AK
NHTSA ID
837837
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 1999
GASKET ON HYDRAULIC BRAKE RESERVOIR TURNED INSIDE OUT CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK .
NHTSA ID
608128
Incident
Sep 1, 1998
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999
HORN FAILURE. *YC
NHTSA ID
607937
Incident
May 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 1998
WARPED REAR DRUMS AND FRONT ROTORS CAUSED PULSATION WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA ID
541378
Incident
Mar 2, 1998
Transmission
Filed Sep 19, 1997
TRANSMISSIONN REPEATEDLY SLIPS, USUALLY WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING. *AK
NHTSA ID
520894
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
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.