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 1 through 10 of 61.00

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  Title? - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mxp - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the third van Ive owned and its OK. I bought it specifically for the AWD option which is great. It works well and has all the room I expect out of a minivan (to haul bikes, kayaks, gear, etc.) and so I have no real issues with it. Its been reliable and has had no major problems. However the seats are VERY uncomfortable, to the point that we do all we can to take any of our other cars, especially on extended trips. The other problem is the headlights are terrible - they put too little light on the road at night.

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  Bought Used I doubt Ill buy another - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By YesAwaken - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Good looking van. Dodge will probably never make anything close to this style.

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  90k and out for me, thanks. - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hokietxn - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought new 1997 Grand Caravan SE with 5-year, 100k service. Great ride, good mileage, modest power, seats easy to remove/install, huge cargo capacity. Changed oil every 3k and followed service schedule at dealers for the first five years. Headaches (all after warranty): A/C compressor and dryer died, front rotors replaced, still act "warped". (Dealer) Battery recently shorted and damaged the starter. Phantom wipers, console rattle, "heavy" sliding door. Planning to sell before I loose my first transmission.

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  No Major Complaints - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By RRJ - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought the van with 68k mi about 16 mos ago (now has 82K). Transmission oil looked a little dark at the time--had it flushed before I would purchase van. Since then, had small problems, but overall, have been happy with the van. Problems include a starter that went out at 79k miles, CD player plays sporadically, and broken connector in cable running from antenna to radio. It also burns more oil than I prefer (one qt per 2000 mi +/-). So far, have experienced none of the major problems listed in other reviews. Is very comfortable, starts/runs well and has served well during my ownership.

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  Great family van - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By civictd04 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Have had no engine problems what-so- ever. Only problem has been the wipers sometimes will turn on for no reason, which gets to be annoying. I wish it had fold down seats like the Honda Odessey. The two sliding doors are also extremely convenient and the gas mileage and driveability of this van are great. It drives like a comfortable car. Dim headlights for sure. Great value.

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  Serpentine Belt is a real snake - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pathy - December 12 - 1:03 pm

  I bought used vehicle at 100K miles. Now it is at 150K miles. Drove across Texas several times with family, it never let us down. Recently while driving in town in rain, the serpentine belt came off. A month earlier I had replace the rack. Still I feel uncomfortable of its steering. It is loosing power steering intermittently in slow driving. Trying get rid of it soon

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  Never Again - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By StevenD - November 27 - 10:00 am

  Ill never buy another Dodge/Chrysler product again. Too many problems (trans, starter, belt tensioner, AC, etc., etc.) Seems like everytime I get something fixed, something else breaks! Also poor service from the dealer.

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  LOTS of Problems - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By AEJ070897 - October 11 - 10:00 am

  New trans at 50,139--broke without any warning (just over the warranty)but Chrysler did split half the cost. Now we have problem with the AC compressor, wiper going on for no reason at all, engine light comes on for no reason. Not very reliablemechanically but nice vehicle to look at. I would only purchase if you plan on keeping it less than 3 yrs. or if you like to look at in your drive.

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  Still Going After 209K Miles! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ron Irwin - October 8 - 8:26 pm

  Well, I finally had to put some significant dollars into my van, but much less than any new car I might purchase. Runs like a new one with a factory rebuilt tranny (old transmission had trouble with low gear, but otherwise ran great). Have run Mobile One synthetic oil in the van since it was new, and the oil added 10% to my gas mileage (20-24 MPG with the 3.8L V6). Change oil and filter once a year (20-25K miles). Will keep this van until the wheels fall off! Very happy with the purchase and performance of this vehicle.

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  What a Lemon! On to Toyota! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Andrew561 - August 6 - 5:16 am

  We bought this second hand 1997 Grand Caravan LE AWD with 30k klms on it. Now it has 84,000 km on it and its literally falling apart. Rusting, brakes, transmission, phantom wipers, electrical, underbody rust etc....its simply pathetic the problems this relatively new car has. Already this year, weve dropped approx $3,000 into it, figuring its the cost, but a pattern was starting to develop where this thing was simply not reliable. Then the van starting mysteriously not starting or just going "click" and turning of!Then, the gears starting malfunctioning, put the van in Reverse and it goes forward! Drove it to Toyota the other day and traded it in...bubye