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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

559 reports
97,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE HORN NOT WORKING, AND THE BRAKE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. RECALL 04V480000 FOR CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED, AND CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE…

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BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE HORN NOT WORKING, AND THE BRAKE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. RECALL 04V480000 FOR CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED, AND CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10097839

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2004
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FIRST. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED.SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE VEHILCE BROKE, WHICH WAS THE FRAME. *AKI AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING THE CONSUMER HIT A CURB AFTERWHICH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10099503

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED 4 DAYS BEFORE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL …

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THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED 4 DAYS BEFORE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THAT CHANGED FROM PAVEMENT TO GRAVEL, WHEN THE PAVEMENT ENDED, SHE STARTED TO FISH TAIL, SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH SENT HER INTO A SPIN TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101585

95,000 miles · Nov 18, 2004
Seats

THE BOLT ATTACHING THE HANDLE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINING MECHANISM BROKE. HERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO EVENTS LEADINGUP TO THE FAILURE.SEAT WILL NOT STAY UPRIGHT.VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED, I WILL RETAIN DEFECTIVE PARTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100135

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2004
Air Bags

WHILE PRESSING DOWN THE HORN A LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(WB663712D17) FOR THE CLOCK SPRING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS RECALL WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10099255

86,455 miles · Nov 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEAR NHTSA: IAM POSTING THE EXACT PROBLEM AS LISTED UNDER YOUR "DEFECTS" PAGE FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE: MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 1998 MANUFACTURER : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION ERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 98771 DATE OF BULLETIN: MAY 01, 1998 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 601474 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLIN…

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DEAR NHTSA: IAM POSTING THE EXACT PROBLEM AS LISTED UNDER YOUR "DEFECTS" PAGE FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE: MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 1998 MANUFACTURER : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION ERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 98771 DATE OF BULLETIN: MAY 01, 1998 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 601474 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN SUMMARY: THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY MAY NOT TURN ON THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *AK ================ THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO MY DEALER, TEAM DODGE OF STONE MOUNTAIN, GOERGIA. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RELAY AS A RECALL (A TINY MODULE LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE RADIATOR), AND CHARGED ME IN EXCESS OF $150.00 TO REPLACE IT. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MANY DODGE CARAVAN OWNERS THAT THIS IS INDEED A COMMON PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF A FACTORY-WIDE RECALL, AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10098100

63,000 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Air BagsCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A OFF CENTER FRONTAL COLLISION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AN IMPACT OF 30 MPH. THE TOP LATCHES ON THE INTERGRATED CHILD SEAT HAS OPEN ON IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WILL BE SENDING OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE INTERGRATED SEAT AND THE VEHICLE.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATRION. *…

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VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A OFF CENTER FRONTAL COLLISION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AN IMPACT OF 30 MPH. THE TOP LATCHES ON THE INTERGRATED CHILD SEAT HAS OPEN ON IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WILL BE SENDING OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE INTERGRATED SEAT AND THE VEHICLE.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATRION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10097918

71,915 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHERE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A STOP. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE AIR BURNED THE CONSUMER ON THE ARM AND FACE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10097731

60,000 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT LENS DEVELOPED A CLOUDY DISCOLORATION THAT REDUCED THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATION. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR ON A DARK ROAD. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, COSTING $200.00 EACH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10097697

120,000 miles · Oct 25, 2004
Air BagsCrash

AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATED THAT BATTERY WAS CRUSHED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10097652

Official recalls

4

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.

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

6

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).

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