66 of the
1,028 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Caravan are about the
fuel system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
100,000 miles.
WHILE PARKED AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. A FIRE THEN APPEARED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. 911 WAS CALLED AND FIRE SQUAD CAME. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE USED BUT IT COULD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE TRUCK CAME AND BY THIS TIME THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIREMEN USED WATER TO FINALLY CONTROL THE FIRE. FIRE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED. IT WAS PERHAPS ONLY 10 MINUTES FOR THE FIRE TO START, SPREAD, AND COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY DESTROY THE VAN. BECAUSE OF THE INTENSITY, QUICKNESS OF THE FIRE, AND THE DIFFICULTY IN PUTTING IT OUT, IT APPEARS TO BE A FUEL RELATED FIRE. I READ THAT DODGE HAD FUEL LINE "O" RINGS THAT COULD BE DEFECTIVE AND THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE. I CALLED DODGE HEADQUARTERS AND EXPLAINED THE EVENT. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10469169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 212,021 milesHacienda Heights, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM DEGRADING O-RINGS ON FUEL INJECTION RAIL. FUEL DRIPPING ONTO ENGINE FROM FUEL RAIL CLAMP O-RINGS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 IN 2002. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 800-853-1403 REQUESTING DANGEROUS REPEAT PROBLEM WITH FUEL O-RINGS BE REPAIRED BY DEALER AT NO-CHARGE.MANUFACTURER DECLINED FREE REPAIR REQUEST STATING MY 1997 VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10420246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10362896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FENDER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS THE CAUSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 175,000.
NHTSA complaint #10339325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELM City, NCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1997 DODGE CARAVAN GAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR*CW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE FILLED THE GAS TANK, IT QUICKLY RAN OUT. AS THE CONSUMER WAS GOING BACK TO THE GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THE FUEL RAIL HAD BURST AND CAME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10313196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesMarieta, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE O-RINGS ON THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAILING. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 192,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10196319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesJIM Thorpe, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER PAYING FOR THE RELATED REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TWO FAULTY FUEL PUMPS, AND BROKE DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A BRAND NAME OTHER THAN THE ONE LISTED ON THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED 100% REIMBURSEMENT AND RECEIVED 50% FOR THE REPAIRS. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP WASAN AFTER MARKET FUEL PUMP MODULE AND THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WAS FROM RECALL MANAGEMENT, INC., AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PART WAS MASTER/TIGAS. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT SENT TO MASTER TIGAS AND NOT DAIMLER CHRYSLER DUE TO THE SPECIFICS LISTED ON THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07.
NHTSA complaint #10183028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesRED Level, AL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RECALL 00V268999 CONCERNING FUEL LEAKAGE. GASOLINE ODOR/FUME WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IDLING OR AT A STOP POSITION. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS RECALL. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10105157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milford, PACrashFire1 killed
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FOIA REQUEST INFO RE CHRYSLER MINIVAN RECALLS INITIATED 1/25/02, ENGINE AND FUEL LINE MALFUNCTIONS THAT RESULTED IN FIRES . *BF INFORMATION REQUEST FROM CONSUMERS ATTORNEY. ATTORNEY IS PURSUING A WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM FOR THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER BURNED TO DEATH IN A VEHICLE WRECK IN 1997. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03E053000. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS OR ANY OTHER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10101613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesColumbus, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THERE WAS A GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VAN UPON STARTING THE VAN OR WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON. THERE WAS A RECALL (00V268000) ISSUED FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, BUT THE VIN NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10051948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HOT Springs, AR1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ON OCCASION IT HAS GIVEN ME SEVERE HEADACHES AND HAS MADE MY HUSBAND DIZZY AND SICK TO HIS STOMACH. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (TIM PARKER CHRYSLER) HERE IN HOT SPRINGS AND THEY STATE THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I AM VERY CONCERNED THERE COULD BE A FIRE OR AN EXPLOSION. THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY. IF THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, WHERE MIGHT I GO?
NHTSA complaint #10047696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN ON SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE DEALER WHICH ASKED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALER IT WAS TOO LATE. ON THE WAY BACK HOME SHE SMELLED SMOKE BUT KEPT DRIVING UNTIL SHE REACHED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. SHE GOT THE HOSE AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THEN, CALLED THE MECHANIC/DEALER. THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10038453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE# 00V268000 SUBJECT: FUEL LEAKAGE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO KEPT THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT. CONSUMER CALLED TO FIND OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE READY. DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE ON ORDER. CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP, AND THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NOTIFY BY MAIL WHEN THE PART WERE AVAILABLE. *AK THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN CALLED INTO THE SHOP. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10029711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I HAVE A BROKEN FUEL LINE ON MY '1997 DODGE CARAVAN,3.0L ENGINE. THIS IS THE EXACT SAME FUEL LINE PROBLEM THAT DODGE HAD A RECALL ON IN THE 3.3 AND 3.8L ENGINE ON ALL 1997 DODGE CARAVANS , RECALLED I THINK NOVEMBER, 2000. I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, BUT THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE I HAD A 3.0 ENGINE. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. I THINK DODGE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE REPAIR AS WELL AS RECALL THESE ENGINES TOO. ALL ENGINE SIZES ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THE YEAR 1997 SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE FUEL LINE ERUPTED. THE MINI VAN COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FUEL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10025306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesAustin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT WITH FUEL LEAKAGE AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 268 000; BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10021936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,322 milesWinter Springs, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE CLOCK SPRING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE #B24. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,711 milesMorton, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTIFICATION, THE CONSUMER HAD PAID FOR THE REPAIRS REGARDING THE CLOCK SPRING, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER REPLACED ENGINE OIL FILTER. *AK. ALSO THE GAS FILLER DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10015299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockledge, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL NUMBER 00V268000 VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE CORRECT VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSarasota, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL TANK, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, EVERY TIME WE GO TO BRING THE VECHICLE IN FOR THEM, THEN COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER AFTER ABOUT THE 4TH TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN, WE SAID THIS IS TO MUCH AND WE BROUGHT IT IN MORE THEN 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WE SHOULD GET REPAIRED FREE, I BELIVE BY LEMON LAW?, WELL NUTTHING YET 3 YEARS AND RUNNING, WITH SEVERAL SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SHOULD ALL BE A RECALL CAUSE THAT TOMANY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS ON ALLDATA.COM AND READ ABOUT THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L, MY LORD EVER PROBLEM ON THAT SHEET I HAVE, REALY GETTING ON MY NERVES...
NHTSA complaint #10002894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSarasota, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
FUEL TANK, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, EVERY TIME WE GO TO BRING THE VECHICLE IN FOR THEM, THEN COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER AFTER ABOUT THE 4TH TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN, WE SAID THIS IS TO MUCH AND WE BROUGHT IT IN MORE THEN 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WE SHOULD GET REPAIRED FREE, I BELIVE BY LEMON LAW?, WELL NUTTHING YET 3 YEARS AND RUNNING, WITH SEVERAL SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SHOULD ALL BE A RECALL CAUSE THAT TOMANY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS ON ALLDATA.COM AND READ ABOUT THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L, MY LORD EVER PROBLEM ON THAT SHEET I HAVE, REALY GETTING ON MY NERVES...
NHTSA complaint #10002894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
E. Bridgewater, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR CLOCK SPRING WORK DONE ON VEHICLE ON MARCH 21, 2002.
NHTSA complaint #568599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATED THAT TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S CABIN FILLED W/GAS FUMES RESULTING IN OCCUPANTS BECOMING ILL. OCCURRED ON 11/24/02 AND 11/26/02. RELATED RECALL 00V268000, CONSUMER'S V.I.N. IS NOT INCLUDED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covina, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THAT HE NOTICE THAT GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK, CAUSING GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PARTS FOR RECALL HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FOR 2 MONTHS. AND WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THEY WOULD CALL THEM BACK WHEN PART WERE AVAILABLE. BUT CONSUMER WAS NEVER CALLED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freehold, NJFire1 killed
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MICHAEL SCHOTTLAND ON BEHALF OF THE DECEASED OWNER STEPHANIE BERMAN. MS. BERMANS VEHICLE, WHILE IN MOTION, TURNED OVER AND BECAME ENGULFED IN A FIRE THAT LED TO HER DEATH, THERE WAS A RECALL 00V268 REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #565283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park Ridge, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON THREE OCCASSIONS CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE STRONG SMELL IS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #564927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Park, ILFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE, CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE, CLAIM 13-7076-635. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Park, ILFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES AND PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 13-7076-635. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #6900961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Batavia, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
GOT RECALL NOTICE 00V268000 ON FUEL RAILS. HAD REPAIRED VEHICLE. HOWEVER, CURRENTLY, VEHICLE STALLS. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE BEFORE RECALL. NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #8009543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterloo, IA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LINKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #8009160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.