The 1997 Dodge Caravan has 6 recalls, the most serious involving the brake master cylinder, which can leak fluid into the power brake booster and reduce braking effectiveness, extending stopping distances.
A separate brake-related issue involves the master cylinder rear seal, which may not hold properly, allowing hydraulic fluid to migrate into the vacuum reservoir; as fluid drops, the brake warning light on the dashboard will come on. On the tire side, certain vans equipped with P215/65R15 Goodyear Conquest tires on steel wheels can experience a sudden, unwarned loss of air pressure, which can cause loss of vehicle control. Those same steel wheels carry an additional concern: scoring marks left on the rim during the tire-mounting process can weaken the wheel over time, raising the possibility of failure down the road. There is also a rear seatbelt issue where loose interior trim can fall into the outboard rear belt assembly, jamming it so it no longer latches or retracts, leaving that seat's occupant without a working restraint in a crash.