VehicleVerdict

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes problems

The 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan has 78 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

78

Brakes complaints

9%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

96V215000BrakesOctober 29, 1996 · 18,997 units

Defect

THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.

Consequence

AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).

What owners report

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 48 HOURS WHEN I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE AREA WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR USED AT ALL SINCE IT WAS PARKED. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. OUR COUNTY ARSON TASK FORCE INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 19, 2003 · fire

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have?

NHTSA has 78 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 96V215000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.