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1998 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

185 reports with mileage · 444 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 135 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

45 crash reports23 fire reports26 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

135 reports
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73,500 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN DID NOT WORK WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE FAN RELAY REPLACED BY AN AFTERMARKET REPAIR SHOP. THIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL IS CURRENTLY BEING RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10089298

48,300 miles · Aug 27, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE SMELLED COOLANT, AND BROUGHT OUR VAN TO A MECHANIC. HE TOLD US WE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. HE SAID OUR ENGINE WAS FAULTY. WE HAD 48,300 MILES ON THE ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED, DON'T KNOW IF OUR MECHANIC KEPT THE OLD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088686

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING,THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE JUNCTION BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REWIRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079596

55,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN THE RAIN, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. THE BELT DISCONNECTED FROM THE PULLEY FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS. THE CONSUMER EXAMINED THE PULLEY AND FOUND THAT IT WAS SMOOTH AND DID NOTR HAVE A LIP TO HOLD THE BELT ON. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10072013

80,000 miles · Feb 25, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10059768

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH JUST UNDER 71,000 MILES ON IT. WE FIRST NOTICED SOME ANTI FREEZE ON THE GROUND AND COULD SEE IT LEAKING THINKING IT WAS A HOSE OR SOMETHING. I WENT UNDER TO TAKE A LOOK AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND IT TURNS OUT THE HEADGASKET SPRUNG A …

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I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH JUST UNDER 71,000 MILES ON IT. WE FIRST NOTICED SOME ANTI FREEZE ON THE GROUND AND COULD SEE IT LEAKING THINKING IT WAS A HOSE OR SOMETHING. I WENT UNDER TO TAKE A LOOK AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND IT TURNS OUT THE HEADGASKET SPRUNG A LEAK. I GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD TO FIX IT. HE TOOK IT APART AND SAID THEIR WAS A 2 INCH PIECE MISSING FROM THE GASKET. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. IT COST ME $1000+ TO HAVE IT REPAIRED .WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10054581

45,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

MY A/C STOPPED WORKING RIGHT AFTER MY 3 YEAR 36 MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE EVAPORATOR COIL. COSTS ME $400. RIGHT NOW MY A/C JUST QUIT. MY VAN HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. I GO THROUGH BELTS LIKE CRAZY. MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. AND OTHER MECHANICS SAY IT'S AN EPIDEMIC WITH CARAVANS. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10071150

65,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

TRANSMISSION NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING IN 2 ND GEARS. AIR CONDITIONING STILLS BLOWS SEMI-WARM AIR. SWAY BARS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10068947

42,000 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SIX DIFFERENT CASES OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED. PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET, THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THREE TIMES ON THE FLYWHEEL. *LA THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BOLTS ON THE FLYWHEEL AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WERE LOOSE. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH…

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SIX DIFFERENT CASES OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED. PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET, THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THREE TIMES ON THE FLYWHEEL. *LA THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BOLTS ON THE FLYWHEEL AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WERE LOOSE. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT, WHICH CAUSES THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK OFF, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT WAS OUT OF ROUND, WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10053556

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050313

Official recalls

5

04V480000 · Air Bags

Oct 6, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V293000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 7, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Mar 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

97V231000 · Child Seat

Dec 15, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT WEBBING WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED AROUND THE METAL REINFORCEMENT BAR ON THESE SEATS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROUTING OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING AND ANY FOUND INCORRECT WILL BE PROPERLY ROUTED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

7

EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).

PE02004 · Rear Seat Belt Malfunction

Opened Jan 16, 2002 · Closed Mar 11, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR BIND.IN THIS CONDITION THE SEAT BELT IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AS THE WEBBING CANNOT RETRACT OR BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTORS FOR USE.RECALL SCOPE:THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1997 THROUGH 1999 DODGE CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & CONTRY BUILT ON A SHORT WHEEL BASE CHASSIS.THE INCLUSIVE DATES OF PRODUCTION ARE JUNE 1996 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1999.RECALL REMEDY: DAIMLERCHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTIC SOUND BARRIER PATCHES WITH FOAM BLOCKERS, AS WELL AS, INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL THIRD ROW REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES CONTAMINATED BY THE MASTIC PATCH.

EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring

Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak

Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System

Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

No summary supplied.

PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

There is no summary currently available