Faults:

The Serpentine belt falls apart on the average of once per year. I don't have any confidence in this car because I never know when the serpentine belt will come apart. The dealerships do not really have an answer except to keep replacing the belt and tension pulley. This is very expensive at the cost of $345...

I called Chrysler and they said they planned to do nothing about it... as if it's one of their bread and butter items. Why fix the problem when they can just keep replacing the belts at a very good profit.

This is the last American car I buy, even if it cost more to buy Japanese.

General Comments:

This is a nicely designed car. I bought it and pulled out the seats. I use it like a pickup with a built in canopy, but better. Entry from 4 sides and a rack to boot.

However, the car is not reliable and the manufacturer does not want to re-design the drive pulleys to correct the constant serpentine belt problem.

Faults:

Bought in April, 2001; it had to have a transmission in 2002 and later had to have engine and now in 2006 it needs another transmission and new brakes and exhaust problems.

Had to have brakes several times.

Stack of papers where work was done.

Faults:

I had one leak in the automatic transmission fluid line that resulted in calling for a tow.

The tape deck has a mind of it's own. It occasionally starts operating by itself. I turn off the vehicle, restart, and that fixes it. It happens only once every 3-4 months.

General Comments:

I needed a van to haul large items and the Caravan has tons of room. I bought the '97 because it has the driver's side sliding door. I enjoy the smooth quiet ride of the Caravan compared to the stiff truck handling of the Ford and Chevy vans. This is because the Dodge Caravan is built on a car chassis rather than a truck chassis.

The gas mileage is very acceptable for a van this size, 21-28 mpg.

The seats are very comfortable and the windows are very good for seeing things all the way around. There are really no blank spots. I love driving it because it drives and sits like a car and I feel very "safe and secure" in it.

Faults:

The van had been sitting for a couple of years. I bought it at a Salvation Army Auction. It needed a new motor mount, oil change and tune up.

We replaced the original plug wires and brakes.

Electric powered back side windows do not operate correctly. The windows had slipped out of their slot and needed to be put in.

General Comments:

The van handles very well, easy to drive and has cruise control.

The inside is very comfortable.

Power windows, locks,and mirrors.

Great stereo system.

Power driver seat, adjustable steering wheel.

Air conditioning.

Faults:

Dealer replaced seals between transmission and engine just prior to 3-year warranty expiration.

Replaced starter at 42,000 miles.

Dealer replaced serpentine belt and tensioner at 53,700 miles in May 2003.

Local garage replaced belt and tensioner again at 59,700 miles in February 2004.

General Comments:

The car has a very smooth quiet ride and I have been pleased in general with its performance.

However, the serpentine belt has slipped off twice in the past 8 months after having driven through standing water (deep the first time, not deep the second time). The loss of power steering control is very scary and I no longer can trust driving the car in wet weather, especially with kids in the car. Apparently, this is not an unusual occurrence with this model/year. This problem should be corrected via recall, as it is a very serious safety issue.

Faults:

Brakes had to be replaced twice. No warning of problems.

Wipers pop on intermittently for no reason.

AC failed.

Electrical problem: locks on/off; lights on/off; cassette player on/off.

Stalls while driving.

General Comments:

This van was good (except for the brakes and AC) for the first five years. Now I am thinking of replacing it as no one can find the electrical problem. I have been to four different garages/dealers and none can locate the problem.