Overview & Reviews

After a one year hiatus, all-wheel drive returns to the lineup, available on SE and LE models. Traction control is newly available, and an enhanced accident response system will automatically unlock the doors and illuminate the interior when an airbag deployment is detected. A Sport decor group is newly available on Grand Caravan SE.

• Not the most reliable vehicle on the road.

User Reviews:

Showing 41 through 50 of 61.00

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  Solid Experience - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By MJ - August 13 - 5:46 am

  Just traded in this van as a single owner after 165k miles. All in all a very solid van. Weve taken it on many long distance trips and have never been left stranded. Major issues we dealt with over the years included a failing battery (very early on and covered by warranty), two replaced water pumps, and a failed radiator fan relay. I wouldnt say brakes were an "issue", but they (fronts) did need to be replaced about every 30k miles. I did some of the work myself and found the vehicle highly serviceable. Honda and the other imports may be considered more reliable, but replacement parts much more expensive. We promptly addressed any suspected issues and never had a major breakdown.

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  1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shoe - July 5 - 8:36 am

  Overall great vehicle. Maintainance has been normal and the Dodge dealers Ive had to deal with have been great too (Im military, so have moved around a bit). The engine has held up well and the only real disapointment Ive had is that the a/c went bad and had to be replaced. Ive been coast to coast and from Florida to New Hampshire with no major probems. Will likely consider a Grand Caravan again.

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  good car - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Kingfisher57 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  My Dodge has been an excellent vehicle. I have 132000 on the car now and have had only 1 scary experience with itas the fuel rail broke with 5000 miles on the vehicle. Other wise there has been no problems with it.The car is still all original except for brakes and 1 battery

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  LOOK OUT!!!! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By i hate this car - February 3 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a disaster on wheels! Ive had the transmission re-done twice, the air-conditioning unit re- charged countless times (I gave up trying to fix it), of course the phantom wiper issue, the rear power windows broke, speakers blown, and this vehicle was not abused. Consider anything else before looking at a Dodge. I also had a 1999 Chrysler Sebring which was also a mechanical nightmare. Steer clear of Daimler- Chrysler products!

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  Loved it and miss it alot! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bmccune - January 7 - 8:56 am

  This was my first car and I paid $200 for it in 2009. During the time I owned this vehicle the only things that I had to replace were the fuel pump and the water pump. It had just about 200k miles on it and I trusted it to take me anywhere. It never died on me and always started right up. Went to trade it in at a dealership and the guy told me he wouldnt do it because the tranny was gonna go out of it because they are known for it. He got mad when I laughed in his face. The tranny had never been replaced and never gave me any issues at all. Would love to own another one. I had a 1999 Plymouth grand voyager and that thing was very solid aswell. Took a bad beating from the previous owner.

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  Buyer beware! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By LemonGirl - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I have had troubles with this van from day one. First, air conditioning wouldnt work. Even vent would blow HOT air. Cost to fix (after 3 mechanics to find the problem) $1500. Then there was the fuel line problem ($500). Now the service engine light is constantly on (transmission?). Have I mentioned the problems with the computer system? (Phantom wiper, other air conditioning problems, Cruise control, horn). Oh, and to top it off, the CD player wont work half the time. I have heard that Dodge has improved their minivans...lets hope so. DO NOT BUY A 1997...unless you like living on the edge of insanity as I have for the last two years!

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  Love our van - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodge owner - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Weve had our van since new. Mostly reliable, and very comfortable. We have the 3.8 engine-had to have the block replaced at 6000 miles, dealer claims certain oil passages were not bored through on original. No problems since with the engine. Only minor problems since. Front wipers turn on for no reason sometimes. Difficult to converse on freeways because of interior noise. Luggage rack on roof contributes to this problem. But we love the space inside, hauls our kids and gear comfortably. My wife drives it in downtown Detroit, very rough roads, and no interior shakes,rattles, etc. Would buy another. Exterior paint still looks great after 5.5 years.

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  Whats wrong with american cars? - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Warren - May 6 - 10:00 am

  This car has major reliability problems, I have replaced the battery, the altenator, the water pump, the device that raises and lowers the driverside window, a starter, and now I need to fix head and valve gaskets, a 600.00 repair. we bought the vehicle new and I havent driven it for more then 6 months without having to do some sort of repair. A 7 year old vehicle with 65,000 miles on it shouldnt be costing me an average of 1,000 a year to maintain. American car companies better wake up or companies like honda, toyota, and new arrivals like kia, and hyundai are going to put them out of business.

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  Trannie problems - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dan - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Drives nice and very comfortable ride but loaded with lots of nasty surprises. Gone thru 3 serpentine belts and tentensioners. Wipers will turn on for no reason and the trannie is jerking a lot now....ready to replace the trannie very soon. A common known problem for these vehicles....Will never buy chrysler products again!!!! DG

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  Good to us. - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By KarenP - April 13 - 3:20 am

  I noticed that other reviewers had transmission problems. We had NO problems with anything on this van during the time we owned it. At 103,000 miles, our mechanic suggested trading in as he could tell it would need a valve job and possible motor overhaul in the next 6 months or so. Since the blue book was not worth a $3000 motor job, we traded for a 2005 GC SXT. If it had not been for a major overhaul pending I would have kept it much longer. We were extremely pleased with our overall experience with this van. Loved it.