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1997 Dodge Van problems

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The Dodge Ram Van (also known as the Dodge B-series) is a range of full-size vans that were produced by Chrysler Corporation from the 1971 to 2003 model years. Replacing the Dodge A100, the Ram Van transitioned to a front-engine drivetrain configuration. Mostly offered as a cargo van and a passenger van, the model line was also initially offered as a cutaway van chassis.

The B-series van line was produced across 32 years of production, making it among the longest-lived platform designs in American automotive history. Much of the exterior and chassis underpinnings saw only gradual changes during their entire production, with three distinct generations developed. Alongside its use by Dodge, the full-size van range saw rebranding during the 1970s for both Fargo Trucks and Plymouth (marking the debut of the Plymouth Voyager nameplate).

For much of its entire production run, Chrysler produced B-platform vans at the now-demolished Pillette Road Truck Assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; prior to 1980, the model line was also produced at Saint Louis North Assembly (Fenton, Missouri). In 2003, the Dodge Sprinter (a rebranding of its Mercedes-Benz namesake) was introduced, replacing the B-series van entirely from 2004 to 2009. Since 2014, the Ram division has offered the ProMaster to the full-size van market, a rebranded Fiat Ducato.

1997 Dodge Van

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Common 1997 Dodge Van problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:

  1. Interior Accessories Problems:
    • Complaints: 18 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Owners have reported issues with various interior accessories in the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500. These problems may include issues with components like the dashboard, seats, or other interior features affecting the comfort and functionality of the vehicle.
  2. Brakes Problems:
    • Complaints: 94 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Brake problems are a significant concern among owners of the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500. These issues could involve brake failure, squeaking, grinding noises, or other malfunctions affecting the braking system's performance and safety.
  3. Transmission Problems:
    • Complaints: 59 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Transmission issues have been reported by owners, indicating problems with shifting gears, transmission slipping, rough shifting, or other transmission-related malfunctions affecting the vehicle's drivability.
  4. Engine Problems:
    • Complaints: 50 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Owners have experienced various engine-related problems with the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500. These issues may include engine stalling, rough idling, loss of power, or other engine performance issues impacting the vehicle's overall operation.
  5. Seat Belts / Air Bags Problems:
    • Complaints: 45 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Concerns regarding seat belts and airbags have been raised by owners. These issues could involve faulty seat belt mechanisms, airbag deployment failures, or other safety-related problems affecting occupant protection in the vehicle.
  6. Steering Problems:
    • Complaints: 43 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Steering problems have been reported, indicating issues with steering responsiveness, alignment, or other steering-related malfunctions affecting the vehicle's handling and maneuverability.
  7. Exterior Accessories Problems:
    • Complaints: 32 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Owners have reported problems with various exterior accessories of the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500. These issues may include problems with components like mirrors, lights, or other exterior features impacting the vehicle's aesthetics and functionality.
  8. Fuel System Problems:
    • Complaints: 32 NHTSA complaints
    • Description: Fuel system issues have been a concern among owners, indicating problems with fuel delivery, fuel leaks, fuel pump malfunctions, or other fuel system-related issues affecting the vehicle's performance and efficiency.

These common problems reported by owners of the 1997 Dodge Ram Van 2500 highlight a range of issues affecting different aspects of the vehicle's functionality and safety.

1997 Dodge Van engine

1997 Dodge Van car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Van problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Suspension problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Power train problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Dodge Van vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1997 Dodge Van

The NHTSA has received 36 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Dodge Van. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1997 Dodge Van vehicles.

2008-07-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2008-06-30
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: I OWN A 1997 DODGE VOYAGER VAN AND HAVE BEEN HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE PS, AC, AND ALTERNATOR BELT SLIPPING OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PS AND ALTERNATOR MOUNTING BRACKETS. AT BEST, I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME USING THE ELECTRICITY FROM THE BATTERY TO POWER THE SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE NOT HAD PS BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPED BELT. THE MOST RECENT EVENT HAPPENED ON 6/30/08. SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AND MAY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP AS MANY TIMES. THE PS MOUNTING BRACKET IS GOING TO NEED REPLACEMENT (AGAIN) OF THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT HAVE BROKEN OFF DUE TO THE STRAIN OF THE BELT SLIPPING OFF. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT ALL OF THE PULLEYS AND MOUNTING BRACKETS HAVE, BY NOW, BEEN REPLACED AND WERE IN WORKING ORDER AND CAN NOT GIVE ME A REASON WHY THE BELT KEEPS SLIPPING OFF. I WAS REFERRED TO THIS SITE, THROUGH THE INTERNET, BY MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CHRYSLER OR DODGE VANS. IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT MAKE CORRECT. *TR
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2007-02-08

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: 1997 DODGE 3500 MAXI VAN WITH TIRE FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. **CC THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES, ON THE SAME VEHICLE, DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. THE STEM MANUFACTURERS ARE EHA SCHRADER AND FHA
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2005-09-20

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-09-18
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: 1997 DODGE CARAVAN HAS SEVERE STRUT TOWER CORROSION ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THIS HAS NOT FAILED YET, BUT COULD CAUSE CRASH IF STRUT COMES THROUGH TOP OF HOUSING. *JB
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2005-06-06

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-01-01
  • VIN: 2B4GP44R5VR
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS WITH THE GAUGES. MY ABS AND CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAUGES GO OUT. I CAN TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING I CAN TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK THEMSELVES. I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER RESET. WE HAVE DICONNECTED THE NEGITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND RECONNECTED IT. WE HAVE BEAT ON THE DASH TILL THEY COME BACK ON. THESE ARE ONLY TEMP FIXES BECAUSE PRETTY SOON HERE COMES THE LIGHTS OUT GOES THE GAUGES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO BECAUSE APARENTLY AFTER ABOUT 79000 MILES THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT ON THESE VANS. WE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SHIFTING FUNNY IS WHEN THIS PROBLEM ACCURES. I LOVE MY VAN I JUST CANT HANDLE ITS PROBLEMS. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES HAVING THIS PROBLEM EITHER EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO HAS REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AT 79000 MILES AND IS HAVING THE SAME GAUGE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING.
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2005-03-30

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-01-14
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS IN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND AT 117,000 MILES I LEARNED MY TRANSMISSION IS ALSO GOING. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS BEFORE 100,000. DON'T BUY ONE.*AK
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2005-01-04

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-01-03
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1B4GP44R8VB
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON THE LFRONT LEFT TIRE. *AK
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2004-12-15

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-11-05
  • VIN: 2B6HB21X7VK
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: THE HEATER CORE SPRUNG A LEAK WHILE DRIVING WHICH RENDERED THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FOGGED UP. THIS REDUCED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CUT THE WINDSHIELD OFF, AND DROVE THE REST OF THE TRIP WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, AND DEFOGGER SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. THE HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC WHO HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING THE PART. THIS MAY BE DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING DESIGN. *AK *TC
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2004-05-04

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: SAFETY RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR 1997 DODGE VAN REGARDING AIR BAGS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE CLOCKSPRING. (NAR) *MR THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED, BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER THEY INDICATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE (RECALL B24). *NM *CB
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2004-04-20

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2B7KB31Z5VK
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: WHEN THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, IT RUPTURED THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE. *PH *NM
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2003-07-25

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-07-23
  • VIN: 287H821Y0VK
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: TIRE BLOW OUT. COMPLETE BLOW OF TREAD, RADIAL PLYS. ONLY SIDEWALLS REMAIN ON RIM.*AK
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2003-07-14

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-08-10
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: MY 3 YEARS OLD DOUGHTER WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. SHE RAN OVER MY SON WHO WAS GOING AROUND THE CAR TO ENTER FROM THE OTHER SIDE. THE CAR IS A DODGE VAN 1997. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE INCIDENTS AND THEY SAID THAT THE CARAVAN MODEL 1997 DID NOT COME WITH THIS SAFETY FEATURE"TO CHANGE GEARS FROM BRAKE, DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKES' I BELIVE THIS IS A AFTY FEATURE THT SHOULD BE RECALED AND FIXED. *AK
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2001-12-12

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-12-12
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y2VK
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: THIS WILL BE MY 3RD FUEL PUMP IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS, THE SECOND ONE WAS JUST 6 MONTHS AGO.*AK
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2001-06-20

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-01
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: BOTH DOOR MOUNTS REAR VIEW MIRRORS FOLD INTO THE DOOR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. THE CLAMP SCREWS STRIP OUT WHEN TIGHTENED RENDERING THE MIRRORS USELESS. REPLACEMENT COST OF MIRROR $125 EACH. *AK
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2001-05-03

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-04-01
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y9VK
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ROTORS BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CASTING. *AK
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2000-12-20

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2B4HB15Y0VK
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND RUNNING THROUGH WATER, IT IS SPLASHING ONTO THE BELT, CAUSING VAN TO LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. **** DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****738051. *AK *JB
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2000-06-12

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-04-17
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: RIGHT SIDE CALIPER DEFECTIVE. NLM
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2000-06-12

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-04-14
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR EMPTY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. NLM
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2000-06-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-01-05
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: GASKETS FAILED RESULTING IN THE ENGINE LEAKING OIL. NLM
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2000-06-12

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-03-10
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, SERVICE DEPT CHECKED BALL JOINT AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS OK TO DRIVE WHILE THEY WAITED FOR THE PART, SOON AFTER THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VHEICLE RESULTING IN FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. NLM
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2000-06-12

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-01-05
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE. NLM
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2000-06-12

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-10-26
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: TAPE PLAYER WILL NOT ACCEPT TAPES. NLM
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2000-06-12

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-10-26
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: SPEED SENSOR O-RING CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE, NOISE AND HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. NLM
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2000-06-12

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-03
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: WHEELS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES. NLM
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2000-06-12

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: REARVIEW MIRROR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NLM
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2000-06-12

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-03-10
  • VIN: 2B6HB21Y7VK
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: SUSPENSION COMPONENTS EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR , SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, STRUT BAR AND UPPER SPRING INSULATORS WORN OUT. NLM
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