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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.

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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

129 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPENTINE BELTS HAVE COME OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, IT RESULTED IN COSUMER LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #888591

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 45,000 MILES, ALLOWING COOLANT TO FLOW OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO SPOOL OUT AND ALLOW THE OCCUPANT TO BUCKLE THE LATCH PLATE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743689

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

HAD JUST FILLED FUEL TANK, GOT INSIDE VEHICLE, AND SMELLED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND RAN DIAGNOSTIC TEST. MECHANIC RESET THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, AND IT CAME BACK ON.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THERE IS A STRONG ODOR COM…

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HAD JUST FILLED FUEL TANK, GOT INSIDE VEHICLE, AND SMELLED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND RAN DIAGNOSTIC TEST. MECHANIC RESET THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, AND IT CAME BACK ON.*AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THERE IS A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK DOOR. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #884490

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TENSIONER ON ENGINE HAD BROKEN TWICE. REPAIRED FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND TIME NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HAD LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO TENSIONER BREAKING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884216

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE , AND MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT ANTI-FREEZ WAS LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKET. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, AND DROVE HOME FINDING OUT THAT DEALER DID NOT PUT FLUID IN TRANSMISSION, AND HAD TO RETURN FOR REPAIRS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER DID NOT PERFORM…

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CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE , AND MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT ANTI-FREEZ WAS LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKET. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, AND DROVE HOME FINDING OUT THAT DEALER DID NOT PUT FLUID IN TRANSMISSION, AND HAD TO RETURN FOR REPAIRS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER DID NOT PERFORM ALL REPAIRS, ONLY FIXED HEAD GASKET, DID NOT PROPERLY RE-CLAMP FUEL LINE. CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM DUE TO DEALER POSSIBLY REMOVING RADIATOR AND NOT PROPERLY RE-ATTACHING THE TRANSMISSION LINE, CAUSING LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND NOISE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #883870

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 13-7276-388. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900667

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, CLAIM 75-A337-158. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900666

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #881638

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING. THIS HAPPENED IN RAIN OR SNOWY WEATHER. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35-40MPH IN RAIN AND SPLASHING THROUGH PUDDLES. JUST AS THEY WERE EXITING BATTERY/OIL AND TEMPERATURE LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST STEERING. SECOND TIME ON 2-22-01, GOING 60MPH IN RAIN AND WATER SPLASH…

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SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING. THIS HAPPENED IN RAIN OR SNOWY WEATHER. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35-40MPH IN RAIN AND SPLASHING THROUGH PUDDLES. JUST AS THEY WERE EXITING BATTERY/OIL AND TEMPERATURE LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST STEERING. SECOND TIME ON 2-22-01, GOING 60MPH IN RAIN AND WATER SPLASHING UNDERNEATH MADE VEHICLE LOSE STEERING. MAUFACTURER SAID NOT ENOUGHT VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED TO ASSIST WITH PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #881170

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAN BELT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY OTHER MECHANICS THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THAT SOME CONSUMERS HAVE PUT ON SHIELDS TO PREVENT FAN BELT FROM FALLING OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880603

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