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1998 Dodge Grand CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 559 owner complaints about the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Grand Caravan median · #7 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints55985 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage86kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 27, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan has problems

559 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling12917
Air bags10425
Power train818
Electrical system792
Suspension510
Service brakes, hydraulic386
Vehicle speed control272
Structure271
Steering230
18 other systems14116

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 04V-480 · Oct 6, 2004 · 955,344 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 02V-293 · Nov 7, 2002 · 1,500,521 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 00V-268 · Sep 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

86kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 66 engine and engine cooling complaints. 68% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 38% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles45under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

11 owners mentioned a cost

$750median

Middle half: $300 – $1,200

Power train

8 owners mentioned a cost

$2,350median

Middle half: $1,650 – $2,425

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Grand Caravan year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Caravan median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan safety ratings

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG CLOCKSPRINGEA01007 · closed Nov 22, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-293
  2. DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILUREEA04013 · closed May 25, 2005
    Led to recall 04V-480
  3. POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEMEA99013 · closed Aug 10, 2001
    No recall
  4. POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYPE99010 · closed Jun 11, 1999
    No recall
  5. DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKRQ00008 · closed Mar 18, 2002
    Led to recall 00V-268
  6. DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURERQ04001 · closed Jun 4, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Caravan owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WITHOUT WARNING, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED OUT OF PLACE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELTS AND THE PULLEYS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND RECALL TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE…
Complaint 10947639 · Jan 25, 2017 · 225,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S MUFFLER BECAME LOUDER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…
Complaint 10726684 · Jun 22, 2015 · 156,563 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD REFUSE TO TURN. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT BUT AFTER A MONTH THE BELT FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
Complaint 10445162 · Jan 25, 2012 · 118,000 miles

Own a 1998 Grand Caravan?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.