Airbag light on no turn signals and no reverse lights due to failed airbag clockspring
The worst 1998 Dodge Caravan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine137
- Transmission103
- Airbags99
- Electrical68
- Brakes48
- Steering42
- Fuel system41
- Suspension37
- Acceleration33
- Lights32
- Body26
- Seat belts23
- Visibility18
- Tires15
- Seats13
- Locks5
- Wheels3
- Driver assistance1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge Caravan
Airbag light 48Transmission failure 34Adaptive cruise 27Headlights 26Stalling 22Fire or smoke 18Loss of power 18Power steering loss 17No deployment 15Fuel leak 13Tire blowout 13Wipers 13Brake failure 12Grinding brakes 10ABS 9Slipping 9Overheating 8Door locks 6Jerking 6Won't start 6Check engine light 5Engine failure 5Knocking 5Fuel gauge 5Fuel pump 5
Recalls 5
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 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.
Recall number 04V480000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
- 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 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.
Recall number 02V293000 · Recall details
Seat belts: rear/other
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, some trim material can loosen and drop into the rear outboard seat belt assembly, causing the seat belt to become inoperative.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the trim with foam blockers and inspect and replace all 3rd row seat belt assemblies. Owner notification began june 3, 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.
Recall number 02V076000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 00V268000 · Recall details
Child seat
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V231000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1998 Dodge Caravan
Defect investigations
Driver air bag clockspring failure
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 the federal safety agency, 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 the federal safety agency 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.
EA04013
Driver air bag clockspring failure
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).
RQ04001
Rear seat belt malfunction
This investigation was opened january 16, 2002, based on seven reports alleging the third row seat belt retractors failed on certain 1997 and 1998 model year caravan and voyager vehicles.the reports indicated a tar like substance entered the retractor mechanism, thus causing the retractor to jam or bind.in this condition the seat belt is rendered inoperable, as the webbing cannot retract or be withdrawn from the retractors for use.recall scope:the affected vehicles are 1997 through 1999 dodge caravan, plymouth voyager, and chrysler town & contry built on a short wheel base chassis.the inclusive dates of production are june 1996 through october 31, 1999.recall remedy: daimlerchrysler dealers will replace the mastic sound barrier patches with foam blockers, as well as, inspect and replace all third row rear seat belt assemblies contaminated by the mastic patch.
PE02004
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
EA01007
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008
Post collision fuel system
EA99013
Post-collision fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
PE99010
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Dodge Caravan 118
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Service
- Valve Body
- Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether...
- Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. kb
- Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. tt
1998 Dodge Caravan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 22-24 | 19 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 22 | 17 |
What 1998 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The front end was severely damaged. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The passenger side air bag deployed although no passenger was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The driver sustained a head laceration above the right eye, a concussion, a bruised heart and lung, left knee laceration, and chest bruises from the seat belts. Also, both wrists and elbows were injured. A police report was filed. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 135,000.
The indicator lamp air bag is on continuously. I drive a vehicle all the time, and my trip 50% highway and 50% city.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired several times, but the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact stated that when driving on wet roads, the power brakes and steering failed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v139000 (electrical system); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. ..updated 05/20/15 *bf updated 11/19/15
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed independently. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
I was backing out of a parking space in 2012, when the brakes completely failed, I had to put my vehicle into gear in order for it to stop. Even though I was only going 5 MPH or less, I was on a downhill slope. There wasn't an accident nor any damage, so I don't have that to report. The van was taken to towbin dodge in henderson, nv that weekend I believe and I was told that the recall defect had been fixed. However, the horn, airbag light and ABS still do not work. My VIN #[xxx], my question is this. If the recall problem is still defective even though it's been repaired, what am I supposed to do? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I am the second owner of a 1998 dodge caravan and bought a carfax report when purchasing which was clean showing no accidents, no problems. The one recall alert on this year and model was taken care of previously. The car has generally been dependable, other than ongoing problems with the instrument cluster which fails intermittently and all the panel lights go off. On january 6th, 2015 I was shopping not far from home and upon exiting the store parking lot to leave (2-3 MPH) turning the wheel normally while backing up from my space, the entire steering wheel just fell into my hands leaving it attached by only a few wires. There was no prior warning of the upcoming failure, no shaking, no wobble, nothing.I am a senior and was in the car alone. Luckily, some strangers helped push me back into parking space by holding and turning the steering wheel in place, as it would not snap back in. The tow truck driver stated that in his career he had never seen this, my experienced mechanic said the same. The car is currently in the shop. The entire column has to be replaced, the clock spring, etc. And even with used parts it will be costly. I live in the la area with a lot of traffic on every street. What frightens me is that I would likely have been killed had this happened while driving, and especially since I had first planned on going to a mall via freeway. This was a tragic accident waiting to happen. How many more of these steering wheels have fallen off unreported? How many more are ready to occur to some unlucky driver?
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving 40 MPH over a puddle, the serpentine time belt detached from the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
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Questions about the 1998 Dodge Caravan
Is the 1998 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Owners have filed 628 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 7.2 times a typical Caravan model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Caravan?
Engine and cooling, with 137 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles. Next is transmission (103).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Caravan have?
5 recalls, covering air bags, seat belts and fuel system, gasoline.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Dodge Caravan get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Dodge Caravan range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.
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