← New search

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 →

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
Clear category filter
86,000 miles · Dec 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPENTINE BELT OF MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I LOST ABS, POWER STEERING, RADIO, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. MY DAUGHTERS WERE IN THE CAR AND I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I COULD BARELY STEER THE VAN. I WAS ALARMED TO FIND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF…

Read full complaint

SERPENTINE BELT OF MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I LOST ABS, POWER STEERING, RADIO, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. MY DAUGHTERS WERE IN THE CAR AND I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I COULD BARELY STEER THE VAN. I WAS ALARMED TO FIND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING, I'M NOT SURE IF SHE COULD HAVE STEERED THE VAN. I COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT/INJURY/DEATH TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. THE BELT WAS NOT FRAYED, THE TENSIONER IS FINE. THE THING JUST SLIPPED OFF. IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME AS WELL, MAKING A DANGEROUS PROBLEM ALMOST CATASTROPHIC.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10049244

57,000 miles · Oct 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON TWO OCCASIONS, BOTH DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM, THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED. THIS CAUSED A LOST OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING AND THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE SERVICE COULD NOT FIND A REASON AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON ON …

Read full complaint

ON TWO OCCASIONS, BOTH DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM, THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FALLEN OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED. THIS CAUSED A LOST OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING AND THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE SERVICE COULD NOT FIND A REASON AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON ON THE EAST COST DUE TO THE RAIN AND SNOW. (MODEL/SPORT) *PH *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10039836

60,174 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON 07/05/03, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BROKEN CAMSHAFT AND REPAIRED IT. ON 08/19/03, ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED FAILURE DUE TO CAMSHAFT BROKEN AGAIN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED A DEFECT EXISTED BEHIND THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT FAILU…

Read full complaint

ON 07/05/03, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BROKEN CAMSHAFT AND REPAIRED IT. ON 08/19/03, ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED FAILURE DUE TO CAMSHAFT BROKEN AGAIN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED A DEFECT EXISTED BEHIND THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT FAILURE.*AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10033821

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN AUGUST 2001. AFTER TWO MONTHS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT, WHICH BROKE AS SOON AS I TURNED A CORNER,(WE WERE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP, MAROONE TOYOTA IN WESTON, FL SOULD SEE NOTHING WRONG) WE THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AS OUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (WE WERE T…

Read full complaint

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN AUGUST 2001. AFTER TWO MONTHS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE WE HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT, WHICH BROKE AS SOON AS I TURNED A CORNER,(WE WERE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP, MAROONE TOYOTA IN WESTON, FL SOULD SEE NOTHING WRONG) WE THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AS OUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE) WITHIN THE NEXT 2 YEARS OF HAVING THIS CAR, WE HAVE REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT 4 ADDIOTNAL TIMES, WE HAVE HAD THE MOTOR IN THE DRIVER DOOR BREAK AND WE CANNOT GET THAT WINDOW DOWN, WE HAVE THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM (WHICH I JUST NOTED IS A RECALL ISSUE THAT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE), WE HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THE A/C BREAKING DOWN, WICH LOOKS IN TURN THAT THIS WILL BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PULLEY OR SYSTEM IT IS ATTCHED TO ( A COIL PROBLEM). WE HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND I MUST ADMIT THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED WITH A USED VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT COMPLICATIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE - I SHOULD HAVE RETURNED THEVEHICLE AND COUNT MY BLESSINGS, I'M AFRAID THE NEXT TIME SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE - IT MAY COST US OURLIVES. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME AND TELL ME MY OPTIONS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037530

89,000 miles · Aug 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE RADIATOR RELAY SWITCH ON MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN KEEPS GOING OUT, CAUSING RADIATOR FANS TO NOT RUN AND VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS IS THIRD TIME. ONCE IN APRIL, JULY AND NOW AUGUST. DEALER REPALCES RELAY EACH TIME AND MOVES IT ON SECOND TIME WITH NEW GROUND. FAILED A THIRD TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033069

91,000 miles · Aug 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT 5 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE 1998 GRAND CARAVAN A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED ALL IDLER PULLEYS, TENSIONERS ETC MULTIPLE TIMES TRYING TO GET RID OF THE SQUAKING NOISE AND THE BELT FALLING OFF WHEN YOU GET IT WET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030823

27,000 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN IT RAINS HARD THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND OVERHEATING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031792

42,000 miles · Jul 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF AND SHREDDED INTO PIECES WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *NLM. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10021628

95,000 miles · Jun 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPETINE BELT HAS SHREDDED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. A SMALL SECTION OF THE BELT ON THE INNER SIDE NEXT TO THE ENGINE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CUT, BOTH TIMES THIS OCCURRED THE DAMAGE WAS THE SAME. VEHICLE HAD 99,000 MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS EVENT NEVER OCCURRED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 95,000 MILES. …

Read full complaint

SERPETINE BELT HAS SHREDDED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. A SMALL SECTION OF THE BELT ON THE INNER SIDE NEXT TO THE ENGINE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CUT, BOTH TIMES THIS OCCURRED THE DAMAGE WAS THE SAME. VEHICLE HAD 99,000 MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS EVENT NEVER OCCURRED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 95,000 MILES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10020838

41,700 miles · May 10, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE DRIVE BELT CAME PARTIALLY OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BELT SHREDDED AND THEN CAME OFF COMPLETELY. THE BELT WAS REPLACED 6000 MILES AGO. IT WAS A WET DAY OUTSIDE (LIGHT RAIN). *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018498

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