1997 Dodge Caravan V6

Summary:

Cheap minivan

Faults:

The transmission went bad after I owned the car for 5000 miles. Rebuilt and then went bad again.

The air conditioning was poor. First the compressor clutch went and then a major leak in the system (inside the dash)

Front struts were vary noisy when cold.

General Comments:

I bought this car with a lot of miles, but it seems that everything was going bad after I owned it for only 10000 miles. Maybe this is why it was sold by the last owner, but I feel I am a better used car purchaser than that.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th October, 2002

1997 Dodge Caravan SE 3.0

Summary:

Great van, except for all the defects

Faults:

Transmission went to limp mode at 63000.

Due to the manufacturers defective clock-spring located in the steering column, the following items have faulted; Windshield wipers cycle automatically, airbag light stays lit, and the horn does not work.

General Comments:

Great van except for all the defects.

Great service, but manufacturer defects should be resolved by the manufacturer.

My 1999 Grand voyager has the same issues as the 1997 Dodge.

Obvious manufacturer defects.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2002

16th Nov 2002, 11:48

Your review sounds like a re-run, we've had all the same issues except the transmission. We just decided our van has a mind of its own and when it wants to speak it turns on the wipers. Especially when we talk about trading it in.

25th Nov 2002, 12:32

Sounds like problems I've been having with my ES. Transmission went out at 43,000 miles. Luckily I had bought the extended warranty (I'd only had the van six weeks). Since then the coil spring has gone out (which they said wasn't covered by the warranty, but after all the problems I'd had with the van, the dealership made sure it was covered by "someone" - I just don't know who), the front end creaks when I back out of a driveway with the wheels turning, the major belt has gone out, I've replaced all four tires, the radio works sporadically, the power steering hoses need to be replaced, but aren't interfering with the driving - yet. I think there's other things, but can't remember them all. Only have 77K on the van now.

28th Sep 2003, 13:11

I had the same problem with the wipers, too. Dealer covered it under original warranty. But here is a new one. Lights will automatically come on by themselves, like the car is possessed. One night, they just kept coming on and then off, on and off at different intervals. Had to pull out the low beam and parking lot relays to prevent the battery from draining. Still need to fix it. Has to be something with the auto shutoff relay.

6th Oct 2003, 11:51

Nothing but trouble. Got a new transmission. Wipers come on and off. Latest is the service engine soon light seems to always be on. Will never purchase another Chrysler product.

29th Apr 2005, 08:17

I also have experienced the phantom wiper syndrome, and my friend Richard had his wiring harness melt because he let the wiper/light symptoms drag on without fixing them. The insurance company would not cover him under fire insurance because in his statement "he did not see an actual flame".

1997 Dodge Caravan SE 3.0L V6

Summary:

A modest family wagon that gives good maneuverability, comfort and flexibility

Faults:

At 52000 miles, the engine drive belt split and came off. We learned the value of our auto club membership tow feature that day.

At about the same time, the A/C system had to be recharged due to a loss of cooling ability.

There have been at least two factory recalls that we remember. The first was for a defect in the built-in child seat. The second was for a third-seat roof defect. Both items were fixed promptly to our satisfaction by local dealers in Honolulu, HI and Seattle, WA.

The center cup holders lost their ability to close down and hold smaller cups tightly.

The wipers occasionally go on and off for no reason. Dealer mentioned this was a rare problem, but no solution has been identified or offered by the manufacturer or dealer.

General Comments:

We use this car as an in-city family mover for 2 adults and 2 kids.

This is the smaller-length version of the Caravan.

We can parallel park easily yet hold a good amount of cargo.

The roller seats are nice, but it helps to have a smooth garage floor to roll them on. Grass or a bumpy driveway make it difficult, but not impossible to move the seats.

The built-in child seat (two of them) has been great. No child seats to lug around. The bench converts to adult seating very easily.

Too bad the 2nd and 3rd seats are not interchangeable in this smaller-chassis Caravan.

The velour cloth interior has been easy to clean and still looks good.

The V-6 engine has been a good performer and we still get at least 20 mpg.

Replacing the air filter is more involved than it should be - you need a socket wrench and good eye-hand coordination to maneuver the plastic housings and filter.

The factory above-grade sound system still sounds great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2002

30th Jul 2004, 09:16

I have experienced many of the same issues as the reviewer. There has been a recall for the "intermittent wiper" problem.

16th Sep 2006, 10:27

I bought the 1997 Dodge Caravan used at 40K miles and have experienced much the same as your family.

I need to add to the above that there has been a recall for the loss of use of the horn, and use of the left turn signal seemed to turn the wipers on occasionally. The recall remedied these problems as well as the air bag light.

It appears that we experienced the air conditioner coolant issue for the 2nd time this summer.

We are having to replace the timing belt and water pump this coming week for the 2nd time as well. Replacing the timing belt, which is what drives the engine cooling in this car, is wise to do at this time we because the belt is exposed when the pump is removed.

Overall we have seen acceptable service from this car. It has been more useful we feel than a pickup truck would have been because what we carry stays put and dry inside until we are ready to remove it.

We have 107,000 miles so far.

As a side note she may be small for some tasks, but this car will take a wheelchair ramp and transport an adult who is not too tall in his wheelchair safely.

Spout Spring, VA.