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

What owners actually said

629 reports

118,000 miles · Feb 15, 2005

Exterior Lighting

A THICK FILM IS COVERING THE HEADLIGHT LENS. AS A RESULT, THE LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AT NIGHT. *AK...*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111557

86,000 miles · Feb 12, 2005

Power Train

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TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 86000 MILES. THE TRANSAXLE WAS PERFORATED BY BROKEN PIN. THE 2ND TRANSMISSION AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP COULD NOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN HOUSING DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION #3 THAT WAS INSTALLED LASTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. #4 COULD NOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE IT ARRIVED WITH A CRACK IN HOUSING DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE TRANSMISSION #5 INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE IS A PIN IN THE TRANSAXLE BECOMING LOOSE AND FLYING OUT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.THE PIN THEN CREATES A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO ESCAPE CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE PIN IS USUALLY STOPPED BY THE TRANSMISSION CASE BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE FLIES OUT AND INJURES SOMEBODY. ROLL PIN THAT SECURES GEAR PIN IS BREAKING. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS $1950.00. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110417

85,506 miles · Feb 10, 2005

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THEN, DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111317

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005

Suspension

STRUT TOWER CORROSION - FAILURE IN NEAR FUTURE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN 86000 MILES QUOTED $ 800 TO REPAIR THIS SHOULD BE A GENERAL RECALL BY MANUFACTURER !!!!!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10110034

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 · Jan 21, 2005

Air Bags

NHTSA RECALL 04V480000 ON THE AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING. AFTER HAVING THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. …

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NHTSA ODI #10108671

56,000 miles · Jan 21, 2005

Fuel System, Gasoline

A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY SHOULD NOT PUT A FULL TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR AND SHOULD ONLY FILL HALF A TANK. WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL THIS WOULD CAUSE A LEAK/RUST. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10108632

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2004

Suspension

LEFT STRUT TOWER RUSTED ALMOST THROUGH. MECHANIC REFUSED TO REPLACE STRUT. CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR REPAIR ALTERNATIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103971

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2004

Electrical System

WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO CRANK THE VEHICLE IT MADE A SQUEAKING/GRINDING NOISE. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY ON ITS OWN AFTER SMOKE STOPPED BILLOWING. VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10103085

54,223 miles · Dec 2, 2004

EquipmentSteeringStructure

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I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L AND LESS THAN 55,000 MILES, THE TENSIONER PULLEY WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THE BOLT HOLDING THE TENSIONER IN PLACE WAS SHEARED IN HALF, THE BELT FELL OFF, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY. THANK GOD THIS HAPPEN IN THE SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND NOT ON FREEWAY, THE VAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL! HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO C&M AUTO SERVICE, HAVE THE SERPENTINE BELT, THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED AND RE-ALIGN THE TENSIONER. THE BELT/PULLEY DESIGN ON THIS VAN IS FLAWED AND A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! IN BRAZIL, CHRYSLER DID A RECALL BACK IN 2000 - DUE TO SEVERAL ISSUES RELATED TO BELT/PULLEY SYSTEM ON THE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN MODELS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100917

Official recalls

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

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

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