- The problem
- Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Lights
1997 Dodge Caravan Lighting problems
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Caravan's lights with NHTSA - 3% of all its complaints, most recently on August 24, 2013. They describe 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Lighting recalls for the 1997 Dodge Caravan
- The problem
- Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
- The problem
- Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began may 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo usa at 909-468-3688.
Lighting complaints
My wife park the van inside the garage, turn off the radio, engine and lights. She open the drivers door and see flames and smoke coming by the parking brake handler. And all the lights on the van were on. She remove the kids from the van and my son call 911.Police and fire department came and extinguish the fire, remove the van from the garage and check it and found possible electrical malfunction .Check the van today 8-24 2013 and found that the fire start at the head light switch. Dim switch ok and mirror...
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switch ok. The fire damage the left side of the dashboard, windshield, sun visor and celling. I have this van since new, never have a problem before. And never see a problem like this. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. The contact stated while driving 25 mph the headlights malfunctioned and the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test who confirmed that the body control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the body control module replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the failure. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive at night. The failure mileage was 164,000.
The original head lights are warn, deteriorated, and don't laminate driving at night, high beams are equal to all other cars low beams. The lumiuns don't get out, because of the defective lens cover. I was told that all caravans around the date of 1997 have this problem. I was told that you have to replace them at a cost of around $200.00 Each. They are a safety issue at night, a real hazard, and they are a manufacturing defect. Should be replaced by corp/ dealer. *Tr
Headlight housing on 1997 dodge se grand caravan. The plastic lens of the headlight housing in which the headlight bulb is encased has discolored, thereby, obscuring the light generated by the headlight bulb. This has occurred on both the right and left headlight housings. I have surveyed other minivans of the same vintage and noticed they too were discolored. It concerned me so much that I purchased two new headlight housings from off the internet (not mopar). There is probably a safety factor with this defect.*Jb
Headlights on 1997 dodge caravan have become clouded and are no longer safe to drive at night. *Jb
1) Defect result of normal use, no exceptional situation just normal every day use.Related to two vehicles one 1996 caravan, another 1997 caravan. 2) Exesive haze buildoff on headlights(plastic lens) I can contribute a loss of proper distance ilumination, for witch several atempts of diferent methods where tried to correct problem, resulting in pedestrian struct accident on dark night,my driving record had been ticket, accident clear for more than 30 years. 3) Several polishing methods where attempted with...
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different advertised products resulting in slight temporary improvements always resulting in lesser time recurrance of problem, can not afford to replace all 4 with new parts due to excesive cost $135.00 Each, anly replaced one after accident and yes have parts if need to be submitted. Point in case, my work is and has been for the past 20 years related to plastics, specifically injection molding, for witch I know first hand the consecuences for a poorly design chemical content plastic in this case policarbonates with incorrect uv aditive content, witch is the cause for not only my particular brand of vehicle,year or model, this problem is with all plastic headlight,sure tghey save weigth, sure its easier to manufacture to the weirdest shapes, so much so tha know a days the seem to be part of either the hood or the fenders, so now their being exposed to direct sunlight from the top causing even prematurer conditions, (this is not a scratching related issue here this is sunlight related damage causing reduced night driving visibility reach (since when a body part is subject to normal wear and tear. Since astm d 1003-92 does mention otdoor exp. Test-haze and loss of surface luster of plastic mats, I failed to locate proper time limits of accepted failure to consider them to be, non acceptable. (Glass does not carry this condition), like it was mentined before, this is not only related to chrysler this problem is with all makes,brands
Dt: consumer complained about electrical problems. Instrument panel did not work. The instrument cluster was digital. Buttons for air conditioner and rear defroster flashed constantly. Consumer took vehicle to garage, and they recommended dodge dealer. Also, windshield wipers came on their own. Vehicle did not have to be on running for windshield wipers to come on. They came on about every two weeks. Also, traveling interior lights came on. Consumer stopped lights from coming on by putting tape on door....
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Consumer believed these were different issues. He replaced fan control module last year, and that did not help.*Ak consumer added that pounding on the dashboard made the dash light illuminate. *Tt
The headlights don't turn on all times unless the switch is wiggled and some times is goes out after they come on
The headlights were made of plastic and have oxidized to the point that the consumer had to drive at night with the high beams on. *Jb the consumer stated that the film was so bad that he could not see the bulb inside the cover. *Tc
Headlights frosty or opaque, too dim to see with safely
Headlight lens discolored- car had to have replacement to pass state inspection. Cost: $322 for one headlight assembly.
At one time, before 1960, front turn signals were white, then they changed to amber and have remained so for 40 years. I would like to have it stated that front turn signalsshall only be amber in color.*Ak rear turn signals, also at one time they were red then the manufacturers created the 3 color tail light red for stop and tail, amber for turn and white for back-up. Unfortunately many have combined the tail and brake in to a lower cost single lamp . I would like to see the return to the amber turn...
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signal. With the huge market we have for vehicles we have the economic power to make an impact for change. Side marker lamps. When these were required they were separate lights. Now they are integrated into the tail lamps and have wrapped around the rear structure of the vehicle and in many cases are a now a single lamp that has tail, side marker and brakes as part of the dual filament bulb. So the issue is that when this lamp burns out we may have neither tail braking or side marker. Over the years these lamps have grown smaller and less visible again a cost or design issue and ultimately a safety issue. I would like to see a minimum number of square inches for each lamp and minimum candle power. And for braking a return to the 7x difference between tail lamp/running and braking illumination. If my suggestions should be enacted it might force the manufactures to redesign their lighting systems to create some uniformity that we almost had some years ago ( about 1989 ). Headlight: suv headlamps are not aimed low enough. They create a hazard to oncoming cars and blind the drivers of vehicles closer to the ground. The newet lamps have reduced visabilty as they are recessed and do not show very much to the side. Many headlamps are now made from a plastic that des not remain clear. The amount of light transmitted is reduced and difused. I would like to see either a return to glass or a new plastic that remins clear. T
While backing out, noticed vehicle had no tail lights. Dealer has been contacted, and repaired vehicle, but problem has returned every year. *Akproblem is still occuring. A dodge mechanic told consumer that it's a problem with the switch on the transmission. *Jg
Intertermittently when the turn signal is activated the windshield wipers will come on. When driving the wipers will inadvertently come on. The dealer has been notified. Nlm *jg
The airbag warning light came on. At the same time, the horn and the cruise control ceased to function. In addition, the wipers come on at random, but especially upon using turn signals (wiper controls are incorporated into the turn signal lever).*Ak
Replacement of failed bulb caused abrasions to hand access door is too small, and a wiring harness obstructs access to light socket. Two bulbs shattered. Dealer had to disassemble battery and electrical bus to access the light socket, 30 min labor, $45 cost. Difficulty of replacement discourages safe maintenance of lighting, and cuts your hands.
HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FAILED.
During night driving the headlights do not fully illuminate the road far enough ahead to see potential hazards.
Turn signal lever failed resulting in wipers engaging.
HEADLIGHTS TOO DIM. QCAW
Front headlights are not bright in low or high beam operation. Dealers have realigned headlights which did not correct problem. Possible design flaw. *Ak
Noise caused by fluid motion in the fuel tank , thud/thump sound when accelerating from a stop and/or when stopping.
Dodge Caravan lighting complaints by year
Caravan lighting problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data