1998 Dodge Caravan Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 135about this part
- Share
- 21%of 629 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 135 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 21% of the 629 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The serpentine belt on my 98 Dodge Caravan keeps breaking. When it does, I lose control of the car. I bought the car december 17, 2009 and have had the belt break 4 times since then, causing me near miss accidents and has left me stranded along the highway with my young children.”
NHTSA complaint #10327861, filed 2010-04, 100,000 miles“The serpentine belt on my 98 Dodge Caravan keeps breaking. When it does, I lose control of the car. I bought the car december 17, 2009 and have had the belt break 4 times since then, causing me near miss accidents and has left me stranded along the highway with my young children.”
NHTSA complaint #10327860, filed 2010-04, 100,000 miles“On my way home from the dealership I heard a noise in the front end when I arrived home I called a mechanic the next day. He looked at my van on that monday to find the stabilizer bar broke and zippity strip to the strut which was also bad. The dealer let me drive 180 miles with my son in the vehicle, and the front end was like this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10032989, filed 2003-08, 63,000 miles“My A/C stopped working right after my 3 year 36 mile warranty ran out. Dealer said it was the evaporator coil. Costs me $400. Right now my A/C just quit. My van has 58,000 miles on it. I go through belts like crazy. My mechanic can't figure it out. And other mechanics say it's an epidemic with caravans. Please help.”
NHTSA complaint #10071150, filed 2004-01, 45,000 miles“Purchased a used Dodge Caravan on 8-19-02 with 28,000 miles showing on the meter. It now has 35,000 miles on it and the head gasket is leaking oil down the back of the engine and on to the ground. Dealer says they will not repair it unless I pay for it. Seems like a very costly repair on a van with this few miles on it. This will be the last chrysler product I will purchase.”
NHTSA complaint #10049382, filed 2003-12, 35,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10223854Sep 7, 2016Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies…
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 | 9 | 5% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 7% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 14 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 17 | 9% |
| 2002 | 19 | 8% |
| 2001 | 16 | 6% |
| 2000 | 61 | 13% |
| 1999 | 102 | 18% |
| 1998 | 135 | 21% |
| 1997 | 123 | 17% |
| 1996 | 215 | 15% |
| 1995 | 67 | 14% |
| 1994 | 66 | 10% |
| 1993 | 86 | 9% |
| 1992 | 62 | 7% |
| 1991 | 41 | 7% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 26 | 14% |
| 1988 | 15 | 15% |
| 1987 | 10 | 14% |
| 1986 | 5 | 10% |
| 1985 | 8 | 16% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Caravan
103 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsBrakes
48 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 27, 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