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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

629 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2004
Suspension

I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VAN IN 1998 WITH THE INTENT OF RESEARCHING THE VALUE FOR A TRADE IN. FIRST ITEM THEY LOOKED AT WAS THE SHOCK TOWERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VAN. SHOWED ME HOW THEY HAD ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, EXPLAIND TO ME HOW THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VAN, THUS LOWERING THE TRADE IN VALUE AN…

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I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VAN IN 1998 WITH THE INTENT OF RESEARCHING THE VALUE FOR A TRADE IN. FIRST ITEM THEY LOOKED AT WAS THE SHOCK TOWERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VAN. SHOWED ME HOW THEY HAD ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, EXPLAIND TO ME HOW THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VAN, THUS LOWERING THE TRADE IN VALUE AND ALSO INFORMING ME AS TO THE DANGERS INVOLVED. WHICH WER SUBSQUENTLY CONFIRMED MY A MECHANIC. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER BLEW ME OFF. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VAN IN THIS MAGNITITUDE. HELP PLEASE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088984

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2004
Suspension

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STRUT TOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VINE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $500 FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10087383

67,069 miles · Aug 30, 2004
Power Train

I STARTED OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY SON TO SCHOOL, AND WE HAD TO MAKE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE. WHEN I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN TO TURN INTO THE GROCERY STORE I HEARD THIS CLANKING SOUND. THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION BROKE INTO PIECES AND FELL OU…

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I STARTED OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY SON TO SCHOOL, AND WE HAD TO MAKE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE. WHEN I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN TO TURN INTO THE GROCERY STORE I HEARD THIS CLANKING SOUND. THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION BROKE INTO PIECES AND FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN. HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED BEING THAT I ONLY HAD 67,000 MILES ON THE VAN. HE COULD NOT FIX IT SO I HAD TO GET A NEW ONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE WHOLE PROCESS COST ME $2400.00 (OUTRAGEOUS). BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED THERE WAS LEAKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION I CANNOT BELIEVE DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088822

61,995 miles · Aug 27, 2004
EquipmentPower Train

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ONLY 66,332 MILES THE PROBLEM'S THAT HAVE COME UP IS FIRST THE TRANSMISSION HAD A INTERNAL PIN BUST WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL PARTS TO COME APART. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSIONTO BREAK, IT HAD TO BE REBUILT ON 2-17-04 WITH 61995 MILES AT THE COST OF $1685.25. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE AIR CONDITIONING …

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I HAVE A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ONLY 66,332 MILES THE PROBLEM'S THAT HAVE COME UP IS FIRST THE TRANSMISSION HAD A INTERNAL PIN BUST WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL PARTS TO COME APART. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSIONTO BREAK, IT HAD TO BE REBUILT ON 2-17-04 WITH 61995 MILES AT THE COST OF $1685.25. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAD A FAILURE WITH THE EVAPORATOR WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY COMON ACCORDING TO SEVERAL SERVICE CENTERS THAT I HAVE CONTACTED OUTSIDE THE CHRYSLER COMPANY. WHICH SPITZER DODGE WANTED TO CHARGE $1100.00 TO REPAIR. I KNOW THE VEHICAL IS 6 YEARS OLD BUT WITH THE LOW MILAGE I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE UNCALLED FOR AND THOUGH IT SHOULD BE REPORTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088699

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

87,000 miles · Aug 9, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. RECALL 02V950000 CONCERNING CLOCK SPRING FAILURE WAS ISSUED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10087424

115,000 miles · Aug 8, 2004
Suspension

PREPARING FOR TRIP, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST/CORROSION ON DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER. LARGE CHUNCKS OF RUSTED METAL LOOSENED WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED. THIS WAS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF AN OIL CHANGE, LUBE AND FILTER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED IN 1999. HAD CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANICS, ALL SAID, "GET RID OF THE CAR". DID RESEARC…

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PREPARING FOR TRIP, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST/CORROSION ON DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER. LARGE CHUNCKS OF RUSTED METAL LOOSENED WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED. THIS WAS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF AN OIL CHANGE, LUBE AND FILTER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED IN 1999. HAD CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANICS, ALL SAID, "GET RID OF THE CAR". DID RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP STATED "NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. *AK .

NHTSA ODI #10086424

63,600 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LINE ERUPTED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10087291

78,000 miles · Jul 19, 2004
Power Train

WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. AS I LET THE VAN RUN, THE NOISE SLOWLY STOPPED BUT THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE. I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH CARAVANS TO SEE IF THIS WAS COMMON. AND TO MY SURPRISE, EVERYONE SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE/OVERHAUL THEIR TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED TO LOOK A…

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WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. AS I LET THE VAN RUN, THE NOISE SLOWLY STOPPED BUT THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE. I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH CARAVANS TO SEE IF THIS WAS COMMON. AND TO MY SURPRISE, EVERYONE SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE/OVERHAUL THEIR TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED TO LOOK AT THIS SITE TO SEE IF ANY COMPLAINTS MATCHED MINE AND THERE WAS AT LEAST TEN WHEN I STOPPED COUNTING. I NOTIFIED DODGE AND THEY WERE OF LITTLE HELP BECAUSE THEY SAID MY VEHICLE HAD 77,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10082239

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STRUTS RUSTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082126

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