IllustrationDROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA TAKING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. PULLED UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY, PARKED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN STAYED ON WHICH WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. DIDN'T DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE FOR THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1625–50K
4950–75K
5575–100K
68100–150K
24150K+
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 reportsREAR CYLINDER HEAD FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO USE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF ENGINE OIL. NLM
WHILE DRIVING THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
TRANSMISSION WAS NOISY--FAULTY FLYWHEEL AND STARTER WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT IT.
THE SAME IDENTICAL FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 3 TIME IN 14 MONTHS ON MY MINIVAN. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS DURING RAIN WHEN WATER GETS UP ONTO THE BELT CAUSING IT TO COME OFF AND CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER AND CONTROL THE CAR. ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT ANY OF THE TIMES THIS OCCURED, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I W…
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THE SAME IDENTICAL FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 3 TIME IN 14 MONTHS ON MY MINIVAN. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS DURING RAIN WHEN WATER GETS UP ONTO THE BELT CAUSING IT TO COME OFF AND CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER AND CONTROL THE CAR. ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT ANY OF THE TIMES THIS OCCURED, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS JUST LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT RUNNING INTO ANYONE OR GETTING RUN INTO BY SOMEONE ELSE. EACH TIME, JERRY'S DODGE HAS IMPLEMENTED YET ANOTHER TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND LOST ALL POWER. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD BELT REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THROUGH WATER OR PUDDLES. *AK
D.I.S AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. YH
INCIDENT 1 - 08/1998 - WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, TURNED A CORNER AND DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. ALL CONTROL WAS LOST TO VEHICLE, WHICH HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS HANGING VISIBLY FROM THE VEHICLE AND AFTER TOWING TO THE DEALER, WAS REPLACED AS DEFECTIVE UNDER WARRANTY. INCIDENT 2 - 01/02/9…
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INCIDENT 1 - 08/1998 - WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, TURNED A CORNER AND DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. ALL CONTROL WAS LOST TO VEHICLE, WHICH HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS HANGING VISIBLY FROM THE VEHICLE AND AFTER TOWING TO THE DEALER, WAS REPLACED AS DEFECTIVE UNDER WARRANTY. INCIDENT 2 - 01/02/99 - WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, TURNING A CORNER THROGH A PUDDLE, ALL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS CHECKED AND FOUND BY THE OWNER TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL PROBLEM BEFORE A THIRD OCCURANCE AT HIGHER SPEEDS.
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. IT VIBRATED WHEN WE TEST DROVE IT.THE DEALER SAID IT JUST NEEDED THE TIRES BALANCED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. IT VIBRATES TERRIBLY AT 45 MPH. THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR ORLANDO ZONE CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DROVE THE CAR AND VERIFIED THE VIBRATION. SHE HAS DOCU…
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WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. IT VIBRATED WHEN WE TEST DROVE IT.THE DEALER SAID IT JUST NEEDED THE TIRES BALANCED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. IT VIBRATES TERRIBLY AT 45 MPH. THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR ORLANDO ZONE CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DROVE THE CAR AND VERIFIED THE VIBRATION. SHE HAS DOCUMENTED THIS PROBLEM AND OPENED A FILE NUMBER. HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL IN LIMBO AS TO WHAT COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE OR WHAT CHRYSLER WILL DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE RENTED A 1998 GRAND CARAVAN IN ANOTHER STATE. IT VIBRATED TERRIBLY AT 45 MPH. THEN ONE DAY IN A PARKING LOT, A WOMAN STOPPED ME(SHE HAD JUST BOUGHT A CAR LIKE OURS) AND SHE ASKED ME IF I HAD VIBRATION AND CHUGGING PROBLEMS. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION OF THESE CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OR KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. WHILE IT MAY NOT BE LIFE THREATENING, IT IS A REAL NUISANCE. EVERYTHING IN MY NEW CAR RATTLES...BECAUSE IT SHAKES SO BADLY. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FRANK GRIFFIN DEALERSHIP SAYS ANOTHER CUSTOMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 1998 CARAVAN. ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS WILL BE MOST APRPECIATED. THANK YOU.
Official recalls
404V480000 · 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
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