VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 761 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Grand Caravan year — the 1998 model ranks #10 of 37 Grand Caravan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 47 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (149), airbags (105), and electrical system (85), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

761

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

6

Investigations

49

Crash-involved

34

Fires reported

47

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Grand Caravan years?

See all Grand Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine14920%
Airbags10514%
Transmission8511%
Electrical System8511%
Brakes618%
Suspension537%
Body & Structure304%
Speed Control274%
Fuel System263%
Steering253%
Visibility & Wipers233%
Seat Belts203%
Other162%
Tires & Wheels162%
Seats132%
Lighting132%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)81%
Child Seat30%
Latches & Locks30%

Does the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

06E091000Fuel SystemNovember 2, 2006 · 24,358 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.

Consequence

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.

04V480000AirbagsOctober 6, 2004 · 955,344 units

Defect

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

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.

02V293000AirbagsNovember 7, 2002 · 1,500,521 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

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 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.

00V268000Fuel SystemSeptember 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 units

Defect

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

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.

97V231000Child SeatDecember 15, 1997 · 900 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND CALLED FIRE DEPT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 35-W772-194. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 3, 2001 · fire

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE HORN NOT WORKING, AND THE BRAKE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. RECALL 04V480000 FOR CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED, AND CONSUMER STATED THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 17, 2004 · crash

BKS FAILED IN NOV1999(19KMILES)RPLCD DVR ROTORS, PADS, CALIPER STICKING, DEALER GREASED WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, BACK BKS W/N ENGAGE,ADJTD. FEB2000(25.5K ML) FRT PADS WORN, CALIPER POPS WHEN PEDAL RELEASED. DEALER GREASED. MAY2000 BKS FAILED TO WORK, CUASED ACIDENT, DLR CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 30, 2000 · crash

WHILE THE VAN WAS RUNNING TWO YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION, CAUSING THE VAN TO CRASH THROUGH THE GARAGE . MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A STANDARD THAT WOULD KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 11, 2000 · crash

BKS FAILED IN NOV1999(19KMILES)RPLCD DVR ROTORS, PADS, CALIPER STICKING, DEALER GREASED WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, BACK BKS W/N ENGAGE,ADJTD. FEB2000(25.5K ML) FRT PADS WORN, CALIPER POPS WHEN PEDAL RELEASED. DEALER GREASED. MAY2000 BKS FAILED TO WORK, CUASED ACIDENT, DLR CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 30, 2000 · crash

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 761 complaints put the 1998 model at #10 of 37 Grand Caravan years. It is one of the Grand Caravan years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Grand Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (149 complaints), airbags (105 complaints), electrical system (85 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.