Used 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Consumer Reviews
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2nd Grand Caravan and Even Better
gianca, 04/27/2003
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is our 2nd Grand Caravan. It has been virtually maintenance free the 50,000 miles we have had it (48,000 - 100,000). The leather cleans easy. Even the AC ducting is wide enough to easily clean. The sliding back rear bench is great. Both side sliding doors are great and operate flawlessly. Drink holders for everyone, and well incorporated or hidden into the trim. Never had a vehicle this reliable before.
Think before you buy
FSS, 05/16/2003
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This was my first American made vehicle and I will not buy one again. The electronic equipment has many defects like faulty interior lights, wipers go on and off for no reason, engine light goes on and off and it is today and the dealer don't know why. The biggest issue is the transmissiom. The dealer has replaced 2 so far. If you are thinking about buying one, please get an extended warranty because you will need it.
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mxp, 06/25/2003
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the third van I've owned and it's 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. It's 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.
The worst care ever built
chuckf, 06/24/2003
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
50,000 miles and already on its 4th transmission. "5-Star" dealer ruined engine by crossthreading the engine mount bolts during the 1st transmission replacement and refuses to pay. Terrible brakes. Unreliable. Terrible service. Don't by anything from Chrysler and don't buy anything from Tobin Chrysler Dodge in Clinton, NY.
the ultimate people mover
John Edward, 04/08/2008
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought the car with over 90,000 miles on the clock, and it now boasts over 220,000, and the engine has never been opened up, the transmission has never given us grief (though we service the tranny every 20K. We get a consistent 23.56 mpg and always use regular fuel, changing the 10w40 good quality oil every 3K miles. The only mechanical problems in ten years have been a malfunction in the aftermarket remote locking/alarm system, and a pesky serpentine belt that has left the scene of the crime twice in ten years. We're now looking at changing gaskets and hoses because it's a regular thing.
Doubt I'll get 150,000 miles on it
Sharon S, 08/24/2017
updated 08/27/2018
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My mother bought this car in 1997 for $29,000. She bought it brand new and she had it up until April 2010 when she passed away. At that point it had 67,000 miles on it. She was having problems with it right before she passed away and when I got the van I brought it from Colorado Springs to Tucson and nobody could figure out what the problem was. I finally took it to the dealership and they said it was the main computer that was going out. I replace the main computer for a little over $1000 and it ran well for about seven years. At that point I had 106,000 miles on it and the wiring harness is going out on it. Unfortunately, they don't make a wiring harness for a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan anymore so I'm going to Have to drive it til it goes out because apparently, from what the junk yards are telling me, it’s an issue with all the dodge grand caravans. At any rate, it's sad we spent $29,000 on a vehicle and won't even get 150,000 miles on it. For that price, I should be able to get $300,000 miles on it. Never buying a Dodge again!
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First minivan was my 1997, STILL mine in Texas!
Gene K., 07/15/2020
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought my FIRST minivan 97 GC LE used with 32K miles on it. With 3 kids and LOTS of travels, it was the best! I got a used 98 T&C for my wife, and a used 97 T&C for my daughter. My 97 still has the original engine and transmission, 2nd set of half shafts, 2nd A/C compressor, 2nd fan relay and I also replaced the idler pulley on all of them with a GM one that has a has an outer raised edge to prevent the serpentine belt from coming off when going through a puddle of water. Recently got it back from my son (he had 9 kids, now most are married) and it has 227K miles. I also have a 2009 GC SXT (141K miles), but still run my 97 because I STILL like it's ride and comfort, and I can haul a lot of stuff in it!.
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- Value
Once it starts!
blindguy27, 08/19/2002
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Nice style and drive. But once the transmission went! Three trannys in 10k miles, then a CV shaft, now wheel bearings! Van has been service faithfully every 3k, all scheduled maintenance, highway miles. Come to findout this is very common with Dodge vans...oh, and there is a 'ghost' in the wipers turning on for no reason. Dealer can't/won't bother to figure it out (there are TSB's) unless I pay a diagnostic fee to look them up!
Great family van
civictd04, 10/12/2002
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
Read reviews before you buy a vehicle
spidey, 07/29/2003
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan AWD
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
We have had nothing but problems with this van. On the drive home, the van would lose power and then a second later start going again. We didn't think anything of it until smoke poured out of the hood when the a/c compressor locked up. We have 3 brake jobs on the van, air compressor, serpentine belt, tune-up, fuel filter, rear drive shaft, tie-rods, sway bar bushings, sway bar, front struts...is that all....and at the moment the van is in the garage having a bearing replaced somewhere in the drive train. The mechanic also said the boots on the rear drive shaft are torn already! This vehicle has sucked us dry to the tune of $5k.
Most Reliable Yet
Captain EO, 01/01/2004
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
The 3.8 engine is powerful and yet provides good mileage and is tight as can be for over 120,000 miles now. Not a drop of oil is used. Have not put any money into this vehicle in five years of ownership other than normal maintenance items. Passing it on to family member so we can try the new Chrysler Pacifica.
Love our van
dodge owner, 03/08/2003
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 4dr Minivan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
We've 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.
What a Lemon! On to Toyota!
Andrew561, 11/09/2004
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 4dr Minivan AWD
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought this second hand 1997 Grand Caravan LE AWD with 30k klm's on it. Now it has 84,000 km on it and it's literally falling apart. Rusting, brakes, transmission, phantom wipers, electrical, underbody rust etc....it's simply pathetic the problems this relatively new car has. Already this year, we've dropped approx $3,000 into it, figuring it's 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