← New search

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

39 reports
Clear category filter
130,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE BEGAN ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AFTER REFUELING AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE BEGAN ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AFTER REFUELING AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10415219

80,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. ONLY THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. ONLY THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10334214

102,000 miles · May 24, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP DETACHED, FELL INTO THE TANK ASSEMBLY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10158177

44,000 miles · Mar 17, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS LEAK AT THE TOP, BEFORE THE OVERFLOW WHEN FILLING. HAVE A SHOP CHECKED, THINKING THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. THE SHOP FOUND NO LEAK. BROUGHT TO LOCAL DEALER TO FIND IF THERE IS OR WAS ANY RECALL THAT I MISSED. DEALER SAID THAT THRE IS NONE AND IF I WANT IT FIX I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I STRONGLY RECOMM…

Read full complaint

GAS LEAK AT THE TOP, BEFORE THE OVERFLOW WHEN FILLING. HAVE A SHOP CHECKED, THINKING THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. THE SHOP FOUND NO LEAK. BROUGHT TO LOCAL DEALER TO FIND IF THERE IS OR WAS ANY RECALL THAT I MISSED. DEALER SAID THAT THRE IS NONE AND IF I WANT IT FIX I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114253

56,000 miles · Jan 21, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY SHOULD NOT PUT A FULL TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR AND SHOULD ONLY FILL HALF A TANK. WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL THIS WOULD CAUSE A LEAK/RUST. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10108632

148,500 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. IT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND H WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 03E450000, 03E530000, AND 00V268000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099899

61,773 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHILE STANDING NEAR THE VEHICLE. UPON ARRIVING TO WORK THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER. THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AN EARLIER MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083500

11,600 miles · Sep 17, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFire

1998 DODGE CARAVAN, VIN [XXX]. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION AND THE VAN CAUGHT FIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND THEY PUT IT OUT. THE VAN IS STILL SITTING AT MY HOUSE. THE PLASTIC, HOSES, AND BELTS ARE MELTED. I HAVE CALLED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER AND LOGGED A COMPLAINT. # [XXX] BE…

Read full complaint

1998 DODGE CARAVAN, VIN [XXX]. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION AND THE VAN CAUGHT FIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND THEY PUT IT OUT. THE VAN IS STILL SITTING AT MY HOUSE. THE PLASTIC, HOSES, AND BELTS ARE MELTED. I HAVE CALLED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER AND LOGGED A COMPLAINT. # [XXX] BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10091193

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL A GASOLINE ODOR ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, AND GASOLINE LEAKS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK SEAL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK WHEN CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE COLLAR ON TOP OF THE TANK SHAPED LIKE AN EG…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL A GASOLINE ODOR ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, AND GASOLINE LEAKS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK SEAL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK WHEN CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE COLLAR ON TOP OF THE TANK SHAPED LIKE AN EGG INSTEAD OF THE CIRCULAR SHAPE; HOWEVER, CONSUMER REFUSED BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10065393

59,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

5 BATTERIES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. THREE WERE NOTED AS HAVING LEAKED BATTERY ACID. IN MAY/JUNE 2003, THE WIRING HARNESSES (MAIN ONES) HAD BEEN EATEN BY BATTERY ACID CAUSING ALL SORTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE HARNESSES ARE ROUTED UNDER THE BATTERY PAN. STUPID PLACEMENT. DEALER SPLICED WIRES TOGETHER TO GET IT RUNNING AT HIS COS…

Read full complaint

5 BATTERIES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. THREE WERE NOTED AS HAVING LEAKED BATTERY ACID. IN MAY/JUNE 2003, THE WIRING HARNESSES (MAIN ONES) HAD BEEN EATEN BY BATTERY ACID CAUSING ALL SORTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE HARNESSES ARE ROUTED UNDER THE BATTERY PAN. STUPID PLACEMENT. DEALER SPLICED WIRES TOGETHER TO GET IT RUNNING AT HIS COST, AT MY INSISTENCE. VAN CONTINUES TO START INCONSISTENTLY. HORN DOESN'T WORK SINCE DEALER SPLICED WIRES. TURN IGNITION KEY - CLICK, REPEAT 10-20 TIMES, STARTER WILL CATCH ON ONE. DESIGN DEFECT IS ROUTING OF HARNESSES AND LACK OF SHIELD TO PROTECT THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10070424

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