Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the gauges on the instrumental panel are inoperative. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the entire instrument control panel needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
1998 Dodge Caravan electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 68, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The instrument panel keeps going dead, no gauge readings at all. The ABS light comes on and the gas,temp, speedometer,mileage and gear lights don't work, they just go out. So you have no idea what your speed is which can cause an accident. This is not the first time that this has happened and we have checked all the connections. I have also heard from several other people that own caravans and other models that it has happened to them as well. I have already had to replace my transmission because I was left stranded with no notice at all. I love my caravan what I don't love is all the issues that I have been having with it. Yeah, it might be 10 years old but I have only owned it for 5 months and if I had known that these things were known to happen to the caravans I would not have purchased it.
Dashboard display including speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge suddenly stopped working.
98 dodge caravan, purchased from dealership: security system locks up and will not allow the car to start. I was informed by an older mechanic that this problem was common to all dodges with security systems built since 91. If this is so common why have they not fixed the problem at the source? I took my van in to the dealership for some minor bodywork, when I went to pick it up, it would not start. They tore it apart for two days and basically said, "gosh, I don't know what's wrong." I have been left stranded (15 minutes to 5 hours) about 15 times since I purchased the vehicle. In my job I transport disabled clients so this is a serious problem.
I have a 1998 dodge caravan that the gauges do not register october of last year, the lights, horn, turn signals and accessories still work, on the caution panel the ABS light stays on, the dodge dealer(ozark, alabama) has replaced the vehicle computer, and electrical block under the hood it works for about two months then go dead again.
Dt: the contact stated the rear windshield wiper failed to operate . He was told by the dealership the body control module was defective. He contacted the manufacturer; they said the warranty expired. No repairs have been made.
Dt: the contact state that 1998 dodge caravan was having an intermittent problem with starting and stopping. The problem occurred on and off for about two years. The vehicle has been to the dealership, they have seen the problem, but could not duplicate it. Also, the vehicle has been to an independent repair shop, and they could not fix the problem either. The vehicle only did this when the contact attempted to start it. This happened every day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer four or five times. *ak updated 11/29/2005 -
Dt: the consumer owns a 1998 dodge caravan. Serpentine belt failed five times. When this occurred there was a loss of power steering as well as the charging of the battery. This only happened in wet or rainy conditions. The consumer took vehicle to a dealer, who said they could again replace the serpentine belt, but it would fail again in wet conditions or rainy weather. There was no guarantee. The last trip to the dealer resulted in the replacement of the serpentine belt. No accident or injury was reported. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint also. The local dealer said nothing could be done about. *ak updated 02/07/06.
Dt: contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact stated the instrument cluster failed. The consumer stated that the mileage and the gasoline indicators were not working so one cannot see if vehicle is running low on fuel. The service dealer stated he would have to replace the entire dashboard to repair the problem. It will have to be replaced at the consumer's expense. The manufacturer stated they would not cover it because of the year of the vehicle. *ak
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact states that horn won't blow. This almost caused several accidents, and almost caused him to hit one person. He has had the horn replaced several times, but problem recurred.
When consumer put key into the ignition to crank the vehicle it made a squeaking/grinding noise. While the engine was still running black smoke came from under the hood. Was not able to turn vehicle off. Vehicle turned off automatically on its own after smoke stopped billowing. Vehicle was not taken to a dealer.
This vehicle has multiply problems. Consumer noticed that the air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. When pressing the horn it failed to come on its own. Also, smoke was coming from the steering column. The smoke extinguished itself out. No injuries reported. Hazard lights failed to come on. Drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the horn assembly and air bags were separated problems, and the steering column was okay. No determination on the hazard lights was made. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred on numerous occasions, and had not been resolved.
Dodge caravan 1998, problems associated with door fire in van. *bf
Srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Horn and cruise control failed to operate. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that clock spring needed to be replaced.
Air bag light was on, the horn did not work, and cruise control malfunctioned. Recall 02v950000 concerning clock spring failure was issued.
On several occasions my 1998 dodge caravan would stall when starting up, it has a reoccuring airbag light, cruise control misfunctioning and horn stalling issues. I currently had to take it to chyristler for repairs. I was told from the manufacturer that there was a recall on the dodge caravan 1996-1998 re:clockspring. My veh. Was not listed with this recall and I'm concerned that I am experiencing the same problems as the dodge caravans that have been recalled. The air bag light appear on the dashboard and remain on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced the clockspring.
Consumer received recall 02v293000 concerning air bag clock spring failure. Air bag light and the left signal light illuminated while in motion, also, horn was inoperative and the left turn signal gave off an consent alarm sound when engaged.
While placing key in the ignition the vehicle failed to start. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced the ignition switch due to worn parts. Please provide any additional information.
My case is about what the call the " clockspring" I am very concern about this, I think dodge should look at this lives could be lost. Because of this.......
After starting the vehicle air bag light illuminated, and the horn became disabled. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
While driving air bag light suddenly illuminated on the dashboard. When this occurred it rendered the horn and cruise control inoperative. Recall 02v290000 was issued for the air bag, but this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
After starting my van, whether I have it in park, drive, neutral, or reverse, I am able to remove my key from the ignition. Also, if I am turning my van off, and I accidentally turn it to auxillary, I am still able to remove my key from the ignition.*ak this isn't suppose to happen, is it?
Air bag light will not go off. Lost use of horn. Replaced transmission in february 2003, this car is terrible. Mechanic advised me that the clock spring is off, suggested I take it to the dealer. I will do so and am purchasing a new car. Do not feel safe riding with kids in car.
While driving consumer lost the horn, cruise control, and air bag light appeared on the dashboard. Dealer determined clock spring failure.
Emergency brakes inoperable, airbag light turns on, horn does not work, hard time removing key from ignition and I can go from "p" to "r" or "d" without pressing on the brakes (even if there is no key in the ignition).
At any speed air bag light stays on. Also, horn is inoperable, and cruise control does not work. There is recall 02v293000 concerning clock spring failure. However, this vehicle is not included in the recall due to VIN.
My 98 dodge caravan had a failed clockspring, which caused the airbag, horn, and cruise control to not function. Chrysler has a recall on a failed clockspring for 96-98 dodge caravans, and clearly states on its website it will reimburse customers for repairs to the clockspring. However, when I brought mine in for repair, and on subsequent phone calls and letters written to chrysler, they indicate that my build date was not included in the recall. They need to expand the build date to later months in 1998, and consequently increase the amount of cars covered in the recall, because there is obviously a problem with the clockspring during my build date. This will cause people to have non-functioning airbags, cruise control, and horns, and unfortunately, may cause lives to be lost. I believe chrysler should also reimburse me the $284.20 I had to pay to get the clockspring repaired, as they indicate on their website they will reimburse customers with 98 caravans for repairs on failed clocksprings. By them not reimbursing me, they are falsely advertising on their website.
On my wife's 1998 dodge caravan, the idler serpentine belt tensioner arm completely broke off causing alot of noise under the hood, loss of power steering, and loss of alternator battery recharge. It also caused some damage to the other pulleys. I've owned many cars and this has never happened on other makes. This is a safety hazard that can leave anybody in the middle of no where.
When starting the vehicle, keys have to be turned several times in the ignition before vehicle starts. Cause unknown.
1998 dodge caravan: (1.)twice in the past two years "flex plate" between the engine and transmission has failed breaking in the center imitating the sound of a failing main bearing. Under 100,000 miles. (2.) transmission failed 100,000 mi., (3.)wiring harness caught fire while engine running - destroyed harness. (sparks shooting out from beneath vehicle - fire extinguished before major damage @ 110,000 miles. ,000 mi. ( 4.) headlight lens plastic turned milky and inhibits proper light projection - difficult to see well at night even when lights are on bright.
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