1998 Dodge Grand Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 559 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 559 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2022
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
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“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2017
“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. *dsy”Owner report · Seats · May 2017
“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*js”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2016
“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 where it was diagnosed that the muffler, fuel tank, and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 156,563.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2015
“There are at least 4 recall items listed for this vehicle. I have never been contacted by the manufacturer. Should I be concerned? If yes, what should I do? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2015
“The instrument cluster loses the electricity and the gauges completely die off. This is not safe and I have no way of fixing this. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 41 of these complaints and injuries in 35 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROUTING OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING AND ANY FOUND INCORRECT WILL BE PROPERLY ROUTED.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Caravan by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 559 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,200 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.