1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 583 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan overview page.
What owners report
“WHILE TRAVELING 40-45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 860777 — filed 04/24/2000
“TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR UNDER LOAD CONDITIONS GOING UPHILL. WHEN WEATHER IS HOT, THE DRIVETRAIN AND ENGINE OVERHEAT, CAN NOT MAINTAIN…”NHTSA complaint 718703 — filed 02/13/2000
“VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.”NHTSA complaint 849731 — filed 11/09/1999
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have power train:automatic transmission problems?
Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: 61 of 583 complaints on file (10.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan have in total?
583 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 29 involved a crash, 39 involved a fire, 37 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
