1998 Dodge Caravan Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 8%of 629 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,795miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 8% of the 629 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,795 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have to change my front brake pads about every other month due to the brakes get to hot and usually the front driver side brake pad just falls off with no warning at all. I have taken this problem in to the dealer and was told that my calipers had to be replaced. I was very happy that it was still covered under the warranty. The dealer had my vehicle for about a week. When I got my van back it was fine for about 5 months, and then the problem started happening again. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that is costing a fortune to keep up the brake pad maintenance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010739, filed 2003-03, 74,795 miles“- contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan and said that the hydraulic brake line was rusted to the point where it leaked and it caused brake failures. The contact believed that it was a safety issue to drive the vehicle because the brakes did not work properly. The failure mileage was 56400, and the current mileage was 56500.”
NHTSA complaint #10186463, filed 2007-03, 56,400 miles“Consumer's vehicle brake pedal will not reach the floor, and the brakes have just failed. The consumer backed out of the garage, and brakes failed , resulting in a crash. ...had vehicle towed to dealer, who stated that front disc brakes failed. Consumer paid $160.oo to replace brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #10119849, filed 2005-06, 80,000 miles“- the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan with 130,000 failure mileage. While driving at 55 MPH and attempting make a stop the contact put his foot on the brake, but nothing happened. The pedal went all the way down to the floor. The contact started pumping the brake and the vehicle slowed down, but it did not stop. The contact let the vehicle roll to a stop. The dealer had not been called. The contact replaced the interrupter valve on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10187690, filed 2007-04, 130,000 miles“- the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan and wanted to file a complaint because the hydraulic brake lines were rusted and appeared ready to fail. The contact didn't provide any more information. Failure mileage was at 56,234.”
NHTSA complaint #10186427, filed 2007-03, 56,234 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10020494Sep 23, 2006Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum.
- 10019632Mar 9, 2006Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2014 | 2 | 10% |
| 2012 | 9 | 10% |
| 2011 | 6 | 8% |
| 2010 | 23 | 13% |
| 2009 | 11 | 9% |
| 2008 | 62 | 21% |
| 2007 | 10 | 12% |
| 2006 | 12 | 7% |
| 2005 | 19 | 4% |
| 2004 | 8 | 12% |
| 2003 | 35 | 18% |
| 2002 | 16 | 7% |
| 2001 | 14 | 5% |
| 2000 | 55 | 12% |
| 1999 | 50 | 9% |
| 1998 | 48 | 8% |
| 1997 | 72 | 10% |
| 1996 | 153 | 11% |
| 1995 | 62 | 13% |
| 1994 | 63 | 10% |
| 1993 | 338 | 36% |
| 1992 | 271 | 30% |
| 1991 | 215 | 35% |
| 1990 | 16 | 6% |
| 1989 | 10 | 5% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 3 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 5 | 10% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Caravan
135 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsSuspension
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsEquipment
28 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology