Vehicle safety record

1997 Dodge B Series Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1997 Dodge B Series with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1) and the suspension (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1996 has 6 and the 1998 has 18.

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NHTSA data checked 2 days ago

50/100Safety Index

CAbout as many problems as a typical B Series year, for its age

#268 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints: 2
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 0
Fires: 1
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Most common 1997 Dodge B Series problems

Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1997 Dodge B Series

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Dodge B Series. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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2 complaints about the 1997 Dodge B Series

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Electrical systemFire

The driver reported to his first job in the am. He says he had driven the van approximately 10 miles. Noticed nothing unusual about the operation of the van. No unusual smell. When he pulled up to his first job he noticed smoke coming up from under the van. He exited the van and opened the hood. He saw flames coming from the engine compartment. He tried to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher while he dialed 911. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The van is a total-loss. Verizon...

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has had similar fires in this model van and feels that this incident deserves further investigation. Previous fires of this nature have been reported to nhtsa by verizon communications. *Ak

Suspension

This vehicle is a 1997 model and the sway bar is rubbing on the tire. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak

Dodge B Series: every year compared

1976 1978 1986 1988 1989 1990 1992 1994 1995 1996 21997 1998

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Top problem	Grade
1998	18	0	16	Electrical system	F
1997	2	0	1	Electrical system	C
1996	6	1	1	Steering	F
1995	7	0	1	Brakes	F
1994	12	2	3	Transmission & drivetrain	F

All B Series years

1997 Dodge B Series vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
1997 Dodge B Series	2	0	0	C
1997 Dodge Caravan	720	15	45	F	Compare
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan	589	6	30	F	Compare
1997 Dodge Dakota	452	12	42	F	Compare
1997 Dodge Neon	396	6	45	D	Compare
1997 Dodge Intrepid	350	2	26	C	Compare
1997 Dodge Avenger	89	6	16	B	Compare
1997 Dodge Dodge Truck	18	0	1	F	Compare
1997 Dodge Durango	4	2	0	A	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 1997 Dodge B Series

Does the 1997 Dodge B Series have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Dodge B Series right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Dodge B Series?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1), suspension (1).

How many complaints has the 1997 Dodge B Series had?

2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 2, 1998 and the latest on January 11, 2005. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Dodge B Series a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Dodge B Series year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Dodge B Series years have the most complaints?

1998 (18), 1994 (12), 1995 (7). See every Dodge B Series year compared.

What should I do if my 1997 Dodge B Series has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked 2 days ago. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data