I FOUND OUT THAT THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED HAS TWO DESIGN FLAWS. ONE IS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK. THE OTHER IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER GEN3 SEAT BELTS THAT, IN SOME VEHICLES, HAVE UNLATCHED WHILE PEOPLE WERE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER A RECA…
Read full complaint
I FOUND OUT THAT THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED HAS TWO DESIGN FLAWS. ONE IS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK. THE OTHER IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER GEN3 SEAT BELTS THAT, IN SOME VEHICLES, HAVE UNLATCHED WHILE PEOPLE WERE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER A RECALL OF THE 1998 CARAVAN FOR BOTH OF THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314899
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2008
Seat Belts
OUR MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELTS STOP WORKING. THEY DON'T RETRACK ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH. WE JUST REPLACED THEM IN JANUARY OF 07 AND THEY DON'T RETRACK AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PIN OR I FORGET WHAT THEY CALLED IT SNAPPED AGAIN. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED …
Read full complaint
OUR MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELTS STOP WORKING. THEY DON'T RETRACK ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH. WE JUST REPLACED THEM IN JANUARY OF 07 AND THEY DON'T RETRACK AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PIN OR I FORGET WHAT THEY CALLED IT SNAPPED AGAIN. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED IN JANUARY. WE ARE AFRAID THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACING THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT PROTECT OR KIDS IF GOD FORBID WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY KEEP BREAKING WITH JUST EVERYDAY USE. EACH SEAT BELT COST AROUND $200.00 JUST FOR THE PARTS AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER FOR A MONTH AND NOW MY KIDS CAN'T SIT IN THE MIDDLE ROWS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225369
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. B…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHERE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE IN JULY 2005, AND HORN WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY TOLD HER THEY WOULD SEND HER FILE OFF TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND SHE MAY HEAR FROM BACK FROM THEM, AND SHE MAY NOT. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10139497
100,000 miles · Feb 4, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, GOING AROUND A CURB, THE BACK OF THE VAN SKIDDED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OVER A HILL, AND IMPACTING A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, ONLY PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED I FACIAL INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10110888
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2004
Seat BeltsInjury
I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND THE CAR SEAT MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BUCKELED INTO WENT FLYING INTO THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SEAT BELTS IN THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN ARE EASILY DEPRESSED BY A GAME BOY, DOLLS OR MY OLDER DAUGHTER EITHER BUCKELING OR UNBUCKELING HER BOOSTER SEAT. I'VE FOUND MY 4 …
Read full complaint
I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND THE CAR SEAT MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BUCKELED INTO WENT FLYING INTO THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SEAT BELTS IN THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN ARE EASILY DEPRESSED BY A GAME BOY, DOLLS OR MY OLDER DAUGHTER EITHER BUCKELING OR UNBUCKELING HER BOOSTER SEAT. I'VE FOUND MY 4 YEAR OLDS STRAP IN CAR SEAT UNBUCKELED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. HAD WE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RATHER THAN JUST A SUDDEN BRAKING MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY INJURED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10075085
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Seat Belts
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH GEN3 SEAT BELTS WHICH HAS A RELEASE BUTTON WHICH PROTRUDES FROM THE REST OF THE BUCKLE. THE BUTTON CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY Y BUMPED WHICH CAUSES THE BUCKLE TO RELEASE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE BUCKLE BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10059860
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2004
Seat Belts
ALL SEAT BELTS IN 1998 DODGE CARAVAN POPPED OUT WHEN LATCHED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10064288
46,175 miles · Apr 24, 2003
Seat Belts
CONSUMER PAID FOR A REPAIR ON THE SEAT BELT AND LATER FOUND THAT THERE IS A REPAIR AND REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SEAT BELT REPAIR. DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT LOCKED. MR *TS
NHTSA ODI #10015893
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2003
Seat Belts
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AND CONSUMER WILL BE FORCED TO SLIDE OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *TT
NHTSA ODI #10002332
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2003
Seat Belts
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM DRIVER'S SEAT TO PASSENGER'S SEAT. BOTH HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THEM RELEASED, WHEN EXITING VEHICLE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO SLIDE OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1998 Dodge Caravan Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration