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

What owners actually said

559 reports

88,000 miles · Dec 29, 2003

Air Bags

CLOCK SPRING FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10052048

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2003

Suspension

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MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED A STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO SAFETY RISKS CAUSED BY SIGNIFICANT RUSTING OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT SUPPORT TOWER. TOP OF STRUT SUPPORT TOWER WAS APPROXIMATELY 75% RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN OBSERVED IN OTHER SIMILARLY AGED DODGE VANS. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE LEVEL OF RUSTING WAS HIGHLY EXCESSIVE AND NOT NORMAL SINCE STRUT TOWER LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IS NORMALLY PROTECTED FROM ELEMENTS. POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE RUSTING DUE TO DESIGN OR STRUCTURAL DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050694

65,821 miles · Dec 17, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER INDICATED THE NEED TO INSTALL BRACKET TO RETAIN THE SERPENTINE BELT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051660

80,000 miles · Dec 16, 2003

Power Train

IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WARMED UP BEFORE BEING DRIVEN, IT WOULD HESITATE. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10051607

78,000 miles · Dec 11, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

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SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF THE TENSION PULLEY, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TSB 6088784 WAS ISSUED ON THE PROBLEM, WHICH INDICATED THAT CAUSE WAS RAIN/STAGNANT WATER, AND SNOW.*AK 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WHERE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF THE TENSION PULLEY CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND ENGINE FAILURE. CHRYSLER CORPORATION SENT A MEMO TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS ADDRESSING HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MEMO ALSO STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.*MR

NHTSA ODI #10050435

86,000 miles · Dec 5, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

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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

109,500 miles · Dec 3, 2003

Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKS PROFUSELY FROM THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE, POOLING ON THE GROUND UNDER THE CAR. THIS SAME PROBLEM RESULTED IN A RECALL OF 96 MODEL YEAR CARAVANS AFTER ONLY SIX SMALL FIRES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10049134

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2003

Electrical System

WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD THE INTSURMENTS WILL HAVE A LOSS OF POWER. NO GAUGES, ODOMETER SPEEDOMETER. WHEN IT COMES BACK THE DOORS RELOCK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048851

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2003

Exterior Lighting

OUR 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND MANY OTHERS HAVE PLASTIC COVERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS (HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY). THE PLASTIC DETERIORATES IN THE SUN AND SALT AIR WHICH CAUSES THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT GIVEN OFF DRIVING AT NIGHT TO BE MUCH REDUCED. DODGE DEALER SAID BUY NEW ONES AT ALMOST $300 APIECE. I SAY IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM - CARS SH…

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NHTSA ODI #10047024

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2003

Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. NO HORN AND NO CRUISE CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CLOCKSPRING MALFUNCTIONED. CLOCKSPRING ON SOME OF THE 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS ON RECALL BUT NOT ON HER'S. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 1998.

NHTSA ODI #10047953

Official recalls

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

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

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