IllustrationSENSOR FAILED, CAUSING SPEEDOMETER TO DROP TO ZERO, AND TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT - "NEUTRAL" ONLY. *AK
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 284.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1625–50K
4950–75K
5575–100K
68100–150K
24150K+
216 reports with mileage · 343 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 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
41 crash reports20 fire reports24 injury reports
Power Train complaints
81 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY; TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT <70K MI HAS OCCURRED WITH 3 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS - RECALL NEEDED?*AK
VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WITH KEYS AND VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK, AND HIT A PARKED CAR. CONSUMER WAS TAKING VEHICLE IN AS OF 14TH OF MAY TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK
CONSUMER IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. *AK
TRANSMISSION HAD 35,094 MILES AND CONSUMER PUT 48,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD 5,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY TO GET FIXED. DEALER WILL NOT CONSIDER REPAIRING OR ASSISTING CONSUMER. *AK THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, AND THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING THE MANUFACTURER TO REIMBURSE HIM THE COST OF RE…
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TRANSMISSION HAD 35,094 MILES AND CONSUMER PUT 48,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD 5,000 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY TO GET FIXED. DEALER WILL NOT CONSIDER REPAIRING OR ASSISTING CONSUMER. *AK THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, AND THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING THE MANUFACTURER TO REIMBURSE HIM THE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *YH
A INTERNAL PART FAILED IN TRANSMISSION. MINIVAN WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 56000 MILES DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS IS NOT A UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE, THIS IS A DEFECT.*AK
AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT BELT COULD FELL OFF ANY TIME IF IT GETS WET. CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A COVER TO AVOID TO FELL OFF.*AK
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSIO HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE FOR THE SECURITY AND SO THAT I WOULD NOT BE INCONVENIENCED WITH MAJOR REPAIRS. THAT THEORY WAS THROWN OUT THE WINDOW WITH THIS PROBLEM. DIFFERENTIAL PIN WAS WORN IS WHAT THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED …
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THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSIO HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE FOR THE SECURITY AND SO THAT I WOULD NOT BE INCONVENIENCED WITH MAJOR REPAIRS. THAT THEORY WAS THROWN OUT THE WINDOW WITH THIS PROBLEM. DIFFERENTIAL PIN WAS WORN IS WHAT THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME THE CHOICE OF REBUILDING OR REPLACING TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I WAS A LITTLE ALARMED WHEN I WAS TOLD HOW LONG I WOULD BE WITHOUT THE VAHICLE BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMSISSION ARE NOT UNCOMMON. I FURHTER BELIEVE MY THEORY TO BE TRUE BECAUSE WHENEVER I MENTION IT TO PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT SURPRISED AND BASICALLY TELL ME THAT IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME TO CARAVANS. SO, $2091.25 POORER, I AM WRITING THIS IN HOPES THAT THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF DODGE CARAVANS. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE OF ABSOLUTELY NO HELP WHEN IT CAME TO RECTIFYING THIS PROBLEM. THEREFORE, YOU HAVE A LETTER FROM ONE EXTREMELY UNHAPPY AND IRATE DODGE CARAVAN OWNER (ALTHOUGH NOT FOR LONG, BECAUSE I AM LOOKING TO TRADE).*AK
WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN WERE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, HEARD CLUNK, COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WHERE TRANSMISSION GEARS AND PARTIAL SHAFTS FELL INTO ROAD FROM APPROX. 4" HOLE IN TRANSMISSION CASE.*AK
THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIND A LEAK BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE DEALER SAID IT HAD TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 2 YEARS. NLM
Official recalls
404V480000 · 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.
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
6EA04013 · 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).
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