1997 Dodge Caravan Consumer Reviews

One Great Van.

Written by: Kelly Lloyd on 12/14/2006

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr LE Passenger Van

Review

This has been a terrific van. It has never failed to start and had no repairs except for brakes and normal maintenance. It is a pleasure to drive, gets good fuel mileage, and rides very good. I like it so much, I bought a 2006 Town & Country last December, but I am not getting rid of my '97.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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It does everything

Written by: Paul Revere on 09/23/2005

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr SE Passenger Van

Review

One of best I have ever owned, along with Honda. Enjoyed driving every time. No back pain on long drives.Properly serviced made it dependable.When not carring dogs and people,it always had room to carry the things I needed to finsh building a cabin.The exterior finish is still like new.

Favorite Features

Able to remove the two back seats and a side door to put in big things.

Suggested Improvements

Make it in the USA.

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Reliable

Written by: june on 07/26/2005

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr SE Passenger Van

Review

This car is fun to drive and also reliable as long as you take good care of it. If something is wrong with the car, take care of it as fast as you can, and it will never give you any problems

Favorite Features

The room it has for you and your family

Suggested Improvements

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I love my Caravan

Written by: Julie Lorentz on 07/25/2005

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr ES Passenger Van

Review

I have had very good luck with my Caravan. I am disabled, and the 4 door design allows me to easily load my walker in the side door. I need a vehicle I can trust, and my Caravan has proven itself trustworthy. When the time comes, I plan to replace it with another Caravan.

Favorite Features

The 4 passenger doors make it easy for hauling lots of people, or lots of gear. The back two seats come out easily, and has been a godsend with my daughters moving to college, home again, back and forth.

Suggested Improvements

I wish the handles for the windows were higher on the door. I'm only 5' tall, and it is difficult for me to open or close windows while driving.

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Unsatisfied American/now going foreign

Written by: foreigner now on 03/03/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr STD Passenger Van

Review

7yrs old&76,000 miles&it's shot. warranty expired, various items going wrong,Cupholders frontpanel busted, electricalproblems,the service engine light keeps going on(which they kept telling me nothingwas wrong but a short circuit in thecomputer, which was never fixed),several oil leaks later(valve covergaskets replaced twice), struts&linkage needs to be replaced,now problems with more oil leaking &overheating only to find out that the head gasket is bad and needs to be replaced amongst other things. What's the trade-in-value now.NOTHING. I guess I will just have to donate it for a tax deduction. NO more dodges for me. It will now be foreign all the way.

Favorite Features

Fuel Economy, tinted glass

Suggested Improvements

Better quality cupholders, 60/40 split fold in floor 3rd row seat. Better quality engine.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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No Mo' Dodges

Written by: No-Mo' Dodges on 01/02/2004

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr LE Passenger Van

Review

OK ride. Styling has gotten a little long in the tooth. Some electrical problems have arisen as was the case with friends who own the same style/make vehicle.

Favorite Features

Two sliding doors.

Suggested Improvements

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97 Dodge Caravan

Written by: cnoyes on 11/12/2003

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr SE Passenger Van

Review

This has been an excellent vehicle for us!

Favorite Features

Removable bench seats, drawer under passenger seat

Suggested Improvements

retractable radio antenna

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Dodge sucks...

Written by: G-manxwa on 09/23/2003

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr LE Passenger Van

Review

This is my first American vehicle...and it will be the lost one too. Got patriotic and bought this, but it hurt me more than anything. It is not reliable at all. I had to change the serpentine belt atleast 3 times (after it givingup in the middle of the road during our road trip), had to change power steering pump (during our roadtrip), had to change waterpump twice and now the dealer wants me to spend another $1000 dollars to check the service engine soon alarm light. It is about time to take the loss and dump this junk. You may save a couple of thousand dollars when you buy new...but you won't be able to get the peace of mind while driving.

Favorite Features

Exterior stlying is good

Suggested Improvements

Discontinue this model and STOP the production of this vehicle.

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Disappointed

Written by: Disappointed in SD on 07/03/2003

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr LE Passenger Van

Review

Within 2 years things just started to go wrong: wind noise in the driver's side, which after many attempts it is still not fixed. The wipers go on without anyone touching anything (like there is a ghost). Same thing with the cruise control. The latest is a gas leakeage in the a/c system that will cost $1,200 to fix. It's been one problem after the other. I will never again purchase a Dodge product. To add insult to injury even though I had tried to get the wind noise repaired at the dealer many times during the warranty period and they were not able to fix it, once the warranty expired Dodge pretty much said it was out of their hands!

Favorite Features

The exterior looks very pretty. Back in 1997 it was "the" minivan to own. Unfortunately (for Dodge) the Japanese (Honda and Toyota) not only have caught up, but their product is now much superior.

Suggested Improvements

Quality and workmanship needs to improve big time.

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never another dodge

Written by: jools on 01/22/2003

Vehicle

1997 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr LE Passenger Van

Review

I bought the van new. It has 60k miles now. It has had persistant electrical problems, brake problems, stalling problems, air conditioning problems, and now two valves are cracked (I don't know what these are but they cost 255.00 each to replace. And the water pump is cracked and needs replaced (so I'm told) It's trade in value stinks too.

Favorite Features

leather interior is nice... and the seats are comfortable.

Suggested Improvements

Design breaks that will work (for more that 1 year)on a big heavy van that has to drive down a 2 mile 7% grade several times each day

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