Three problems related to power train have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Car suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway at 60mph; engine remained on. I pulled over, turned off the car, and it started back up again and drove fine for about 2 miles. �service engine soon� light came on. When it lost power again, I slowed and then tried to reaccelerate, and it drove fine for about 5 miles, enough to get me off the freeway and to a safe location. I checked the oil and transmission levels, which were ok, and there was nothing leaking under the car. Went to an appointment, and came back to the car, which started up and drove ok for about a half mile, then it shut down completely at a traffic light. This time it wouldn't start back up again, so I pushed it onto a side street, where it started up fine and drove to the nearest gas/repair station. Now, the van won't start again. Van was proceeding straight in all situations.
Was driving the van about approx 35 mph in a snow storm when it started to slide, I accelerated to keep from spinning out and the transmission let go. . Took it to the transmission shop that put it in and they said the spider gears were "welded" to the shaft and it caused the shaft to break. . This is the second tranny we put in this van for the same thing. Manufacture defect. . They should pay for the new tranny. . It cost me over $1950 to put this tranny in and it is a rebuild from advanced auto. . They said its a manufacture rebuild. . Also, the switch for the headlights is very loose and you have to play with it and get it in a certain position to get the lights to stay on. You have to turn them all the way to the right then pull it out a little then it will stay on. .
This van at various speeds will jerk suddenly as if it is losing power. It also stalls out and has done this at speeds as high as 40 mph driving in traffic. I admit that this is a intermmitent problem. I have had it to the dealer several times and the problem has not been diagnosed. Obviously this is an accident waiting to happen that could bring severe injury to my family.