general problems of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

I purchased my 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan from a private party in 2009, and shortly after the gauge cluster stopped functioning while I was driving. Check engine and abs lights came on which on checking with my mechanic said my abs system is non-functional as is all other instrument related readings. A short time later, the panel came back on and worked for awhile than shut off again. Someone said hit the panel face and the gauges should come back on. I did and it did. For awhile. Over time the gauge failure interval grew shorter and shorter, and hitting the panel finally failed to return the use of the gauges. To replace this gauge cluster is an $800. 00 plus repair in a shop with a rebuild panel costing over $200. 00 by itself. I don't want to know what a dealer will charge. Upon further investigation, I have learned the gauge failure culprit is cold solder joints on the back side of the circuit board of the gauge cluster and is an all too common problem with this class of vehicle. This deficiency can easily be avoided by better quality control from the manufacturer.