NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
559 reports54,000 miles · Feb 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE BOUGHT OUR 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE (3.3 LITER) USED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2000. AT THAT POINT, THE TENSIONER HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT LEAST. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD THE UNFORTUNATE AND DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE OF BEING STRANDED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH OUR 3 CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE TENSIONER BELT FALLING OFF, NOT ONCE, …
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WE BOUGHT OUR 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE (3.3 LITER) USED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN 2000. AT THAT POINT, THE TENSIONER HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT LEAST. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD THE UNFORTUNATE AND DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE OF BEING STRANDED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH OUR 3 CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE TENSIONER BELT FALLING OFF, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE. IT COINCIDED WITH RAINY WEATHER BOTH TIMES. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS ON THE INTERNET WITH OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THEIR DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS COULD LEAD TO DEATHS VERY EASILY. WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, WITH NO STEERING OR POWER, AND PARK IN THE BREAK DOWN LANE WHILE TRAFFIC PASSED BY US AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. WE WERE NEARLY REARENDED A COUPLE TIMES, WHICH WOULD HAVE MEANT OUR CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT FIRST, AND I DOUBT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE SURVIVED THAT KIND OF IMPACT. IN THE MEANTIME, MY HUSBAND LITERALLY STOOD IN BACK OF OUR VAN WAVING OUR DETACHED SERPENTINE BELT IN THE AIR DESPERATE FOR SOMEONE TO HELP GET US OFF OF THE BUSY AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY HIGHWAY. THE NEXT 30 MINUTES WERE SCARY, I CRIED THE ENTIRE TIME SCARED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN (A NEWBORN, A 2 YEAR OLD AND A 3 YEAR OLD). THE NEXT TIME THE BELT FELL OFF, LUCKILY I WAS NEARER TO OUR HOME ON A QUIET STREET. I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I LOST THE BELT WHILE ON A BACK COUNTRY ROAD IN MAINE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER, WITH MY 3 CHILDREN BY MYSELF. A FAMILY VAN SHOULD NEVER LOSE IT'S SERPENTINE BELT 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. WITH ALL THE RECORDED STATEMENTS FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM, SEVERAL TIMES OVER, THERE IS AMPLE PROOF THAT DODGE IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM. LOSING POWER, STEERING, ETC. IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED. WE WERE LUCKY TO SURVIVE OUR INCIDENT. THERE WILL COME A DAY, IF THIS SITUATION IS NOT RESOLVED, WHERE A PERSON OR WHOLE FAMILY, WILL DIE BECAUSE OF THIS CARELESS DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056764
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
AIRBAG LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS REMAIN LIGHTED. CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN NON-FUNCTIONING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056675
73,551 miles · Feb 5, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NOVEMBER, 2003 - 1998 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 73500 MILES. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. LEAKING COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF ENGINE FROM REAR HEAD. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEAD GASKET AND OIL PRESSURE SWITCH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. DRIVEN BY "SOCCER" MOM. ALSO, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE-SEE AUTOMATIC TRAN…
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NOVEMBER, 2003 - 1998 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 73500 MILES. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. LEAKING COOLANT TO THE OUTSIDE OF ENGINE FROM REAR HEAD. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEAD GASKET AND OIL PRESSURE SWITCH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. DRIVEN BY "SOCCER" MOM. ALSO, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE-SEE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SECTION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056601
75,100 miles · Feb 5, 2004
Power Train
FEBRUARY, 2004 - 1998 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 75100 MILES STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF PROBLEM. TOTAL REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION COSTING $1500.00. VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. DRIVEN BY "SOCCER" MOM. OBVIOUS THROUGH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. …
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FEBRUARY, 2004 - 1998 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 75100 MILES STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. NO PREVIOUS WARNING OF PROBLEM. TOTAL REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION COSTING $1500.00. VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. DRIVEN BY "SOCCER" MOM. OBVIOUS THROUGH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056590
69,357 miles · Feb 4, 2004
Air Bags
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THAT CLOCK SPRING FAILED, AND AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. A RECALL 02V293000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057518
135,000 miles · Feb 3, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
AT ANY SPEED AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. THERE IS AN ARTICLE IN A CONSUMER MAGAZINE THAT DOCUMENTS THE PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER IS HAVING. THE PROBLEM MENTIONED IS A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057424
126,500 miles · Jan 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE THAT HADE ENGINE FAILURE. THE VAN HAS BEEN RUNNING GOOD AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. MY VAN AT THAT TIME HADE 126,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT IS PASS WARRANTY PERIOD. I STILL BELIEVE THAT THIS ENGINE SHOULDN,T HAVE FAILED AT 126,000 MILES. THIS IS MY SECOND MINI-VAN, AND UP UNTIL THIS POINT HA…
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I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE THAT HADE ENGINE FAILURE. THE VAN HAS BEEN RUNNING GOOD AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. MY VAN AT THAT TIME HADE 126,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT IS PASS WARRANTY PERIOD. I STILL BELIEVE THAT THIS ENGINE SHOULDN,T HAVE FAILED AT 126,000 MILES. THIS IS MY SECOND MINI-VAN, AND UP UNTIL THIS POINT HAVE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THEM. I THINK CHYSLER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAILURE. MY VOYAGER HAS 208,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND STILL RUNNING. SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THIS 3.3 L V6 ENGINE. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE FAILURE OR WITH ME HAVING TO SPEND $2,500.00 TO REPAIR IT. THIS SHOULDN,T HAVE HAPPEN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10055189
29,000 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Unknown Or Other
MANUFACTURER FAILED TO SEND MANDATORY RECALL NOTICES TO REGISTERED ORIGINAL PURCHASER AT ADDRESS ON FILE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054753
33,880 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
PREMATURE, SUDDEN FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO RAPID LOSS OF COOLANT, OBSCURED VISION, LOSS OF CONTROL, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #10054686
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2004
Power TrainFire
1998 CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.*MR 1998 DODGE CARAVAN SUFFERED FROM AVEHICLE FIRE AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING A FAIR SETTLEMENT FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE.*MR
NHTSA ODI #10054009
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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
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