1997 Dodge Caravan Air Bags:frontal Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · data through 07/14/2026

42Air Bags:frontal complaints

5.9%Of all 714 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags:frontal ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION107 · 15%

AIR BAGS102 · 14.3%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE52 · 7.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN44 · 6.2%

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL42 · 5.9%

Share of the 714 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Dodge Caravan overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONSUMER WAS A PASSENGER IN VEHICLE, AND REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO APPLY THE BRAKES, WHICH DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE HIT A…”NHTSA complaint 838447 — filed 05/26/1999

“THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS WHEN VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, GOING ABOUT 25-30 MPH. EVERYTHING…”NHTSA complaint 822932 — filed 04/30/1998

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags:frontal complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Dodge Caravan have air bags:frontal problems?

Air Bags:frontal is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Dodge Caravan: 42 of 714 complaints on file (5.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge Caravan have in total?

714 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 44 involved a crash, 37 involved a fire, 54 reported injuries, and 4 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags:frontal category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.