NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
135 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 18, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10917173
119,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A PUDDLE, THE SERPENTINE TIME BELT DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA ODI #10670100
470,000 miles · Feb 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGAR…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 470,000.
NHTSA ODI #10381500
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD DETACH ITSELF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD DETACH ITSELF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM OF THE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10378461
100,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 98 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS BREAKING. WHEN IT DOES, I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR DECEMBER 17, 2009 AND HAVE HAD THE BELT BREAK 4 TIMES SINCE THEN, CAUSING ME NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ALONG THE HIGHWAY WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327861
100,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 98 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS BREAKING. WHEN IT DOES, I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR DECEMBER 17, 2009 AND HAVE HAD THE BELT BREAK 4 TIMES SINCE THEN, CAUSING ME NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ALONG THE HIGHWAY WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327860
10,600 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionTires
I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN FROM FALLS CHURCH MOTORS FALLS CHURCH VA AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF DRIVING I STARTED TO NOTICE AND FEEL A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS FRONT TIRE A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD A FLAT WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IT TOOK ME AND TWO OTHER MEN TO LOOSEN THE LUGS ON THE TIRE TO GET OF THE TIRE THE JACK WHI…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN FROM FALLS CHURCH MOTORS FALLS CHURCH VA AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF DRIVING I STARTED TO NOTICE AND FEEL A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS FRONT TIRE A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD A FLAT WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IT TOOK ME AND TWO OTHER MEN TO LOOSEN THE LUGS ON THE TIRE TO GET OF THE TIRE THE JACK WHILE THE VAN IN THE AIR BENT AND THE VAN FELL TO THE SIDE I PULLED ONE OF THE MEN AWAY FROM THE VAN AS I SAW IT FALLING TOWARD US WE GOT ANOTHER JACK AND GOT THE VAN BACK UP IN THE AIR AND PUT THE DONUT ON I THAN A SHORT TIME LATER GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DONUT FLEW OFF THE VAN IF IT WERE IN TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND OTHER ON THE HIGHWAY A COUPLE OF MONTH LATER THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND THE WATER PUMP I THOUGHT THE VAN WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM FALLS CHURCH MOTORS I LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT THEY I THOUGHT FIXED THE TIMING BELT IT HAS BEEN RUNNING ROUGH EVER SINCE THE VAN NOW WHILE RUNNING THE MOTOR TURNS OFF WHILE ANY SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THEY SAID TO ME IN THE RECENT PAST AFTER I THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT . IT'S NOT GOING TO RUN LIKE NEW I FEEL THIS DEALER SHIP DID SELL ME A DEFECTIVE VAN AND UNSAFE PARTS ON THE VEHICLES AND SOME OTHER VEHICLES THEY ARE SELLING MAYBE ENDANGERING OTHER PEOPLES LIFE I MET ONE MAN AT A GAS STATION HE SAID HE HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY AND IT SLIPPING AFTER HE BOUGHT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318239
250,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THE SERPENTINE BELT POPPED OFF MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, IT IS 02/10/10 -- THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE ON THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD IN DECEMBER. THIS LEADS TO AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING THE WORST POSSIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN DECEMBER, TWO MECHANICS AT …
Read full complaint
THE SERPENTINE BELT POPPED OFF MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, IT IS 02/10/10 -- THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE ON THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD IN DECEMBER. THIS LEADS TO AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING THE WORST POSSIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN DECEMBER, TWO MECHANICS AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP BOTH IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN ICE OR SNOW GETS UP UNDER THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. LOSS OF CRITICAL STEERING CAPABILITY DURING THE WORST POSSIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308334
121,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEFECTIVE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT BROKEN INSIDE HOUSING. 1998 DODGE CARAVAN SE, 121000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303981
86,500 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF OF ACCESSORY PULLEYS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, POSSIBLY AT ANY SPEED. WET WEATHER IS A CONSTANT CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, ALTHOUGH IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS DEFECT TO OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214253
Official recalls
5Oct 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.
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.
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
7EA04013 · 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
Illustration