The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
The worst 1998 Dodge Grand 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.
- Engine129
- Airbags104
- Transmission81
- Electrical79
- Suspension51
- Brakes44
- Acceleration27
- Body27
- Fuel system25
- Steering23
- Visibility22
- Seat belts19
- Tires14
- Lights13
- Seats13
- Locks3
- Wheels3
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
Airbag light 47Adaptive cruise 32Power steering loss 25Transmission failure 25Loss of power 24Overheating 21Wipers 16Stalling 15No deployment 13Fire or smoke 12ABS 11Brake failure 11Headlights 9Check engine light 8Engine failure 8Won't start 8Fuel smell 6Seat belt 6Tire blowout 6Coil spring 5Fuel gauge 5
Recalls 4
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
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 4 recalls for the 1998 Dodge Grand 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
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 Grand Caravan 15
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
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- Service
- Valve Body
- Emissions recall -- vehicle emission control information (VECI) label replacement
- The radiator fan relay may not turn on the radiator cooling fans, causing engine to overheat
- Various information on veci label replacement
What 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The driver's horn does not work and hasn't since it was taken in to replace the clock spring assembly. This was done as per a recall issued by the federal safety agency and daimlerchrystler corporation relating to driver's airbag by the original owner. He also did not have the original paperwork on the van. I am the second owner and when I discovered the horn did not work. After researching and subscribing to the the federal safety agency recall alerts I determined that this may have been caused by the clock spring replacement. I was also told that the replacement clock spring could have been defective as well, because it was done so soon after the recall was issued. I took it to a local dealership where I live and they confirmed that there had been a recall issued and they were sorry, but they couldn't replace it again. They suggested that I take it back to the dealership where it was purchased. I explained to them that I was not the original owner and didn't know where it was purchased from originally. Even when I told them that I would pay the cost of the repair, they were not interested. I took it to a local mechanic and he didn't want to touch it because there was so much involved in the steering column that could go wrong and he didn't have the expertise to do it. The vehicle is not safe and hasn't been since before and after I purchased it. My concern is if the horn doesn't work'then how can I be sure the airbag does. I'm still driving this vehicle because I can't sell it to someone else in this condition. Is there no recourse if the vehicle as not repaired as per the federal safety agency's recall? This vehicle only has 91054 miles on it as of this date.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. While operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was heard coming from the engine and the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to low oil pressure caused by faulty engine connecting rods. The vehicle was not repaired. Swantys dodge (2494 south hwy 95, bullhead city, az) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 261,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. While driving 60 MPH, all the warning indicators illuminated and the horn, speedometer, fuel gauge, and cruise control failed to function. The contact called stew hansen dodge ram chrysler jeep at (515) 331-2900 (located at 12103 hickman rd, urbandale, ia 50323) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
Service brake failure while driving, diagnosed by repair shop as a ruptured brake line. Inspection of other brake lines showed heavy corrosion. Vehicle was in motion (straight line) on a city street and retained minimal braking. I was able to stop at a stop light (no collision) and 'limp' to the repair shop. Repairs consisted of replacing the hydraulic brake lines.
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 dodge grand caravan. While the contact's wife was driving 45 MPH, another vehicle traveling approximately 70 MPH struck the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The front passenger seat (the contact's seat) separated from the seat track. The contact struck the side door and was thrown into the rear of the vehicle. The seat belt failed to restrain the contact and he was then struck by the seat. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and back. Three occupants in the other vehicle were also injured, as the front passenger's feet went through the windshield and two of the occupants suffered whiplash. Medical attention was required for all the injured occupants. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and the contact's insurance company confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. See also 11004763. *dsy ..updated 08/04/17 *bf updated 10/11/2017*js *js
I was involved in a rear end crash and the front passenger seat incas in came apart at the adjuster tracks. This caused me to be thrown into the rear of the van making my injures much worse. See also 11004775.
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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/30/17*lj updated 09/25/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v373000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the part 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The car just stopped working it would't start any more
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
Is the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Owners have filed 554 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1.5 times a typical Grand Caravan model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Engine and cooling, with 129 complaints, typically around 86,455 miles. Next is airbags (104).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, fuel system, gasoline and child seat.
What year does the Dodge Grand Caravan have bad engine?
The Dodge Grand Caravan model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (175 complaints), 2010 (161 complaints) and 2008 (145 complaints).
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