1998 Dodge Caravan Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 4%of 629 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,612miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 4% of the 629 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,612 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan with only 66,332 miles the problem's that have come up is first the transmission had a internal pin bust which caused several parts to come apart. This caused the transmissionto break, it had to be rebuilt on 2-17-04 with 61995 miles at the cost of $1685.25. The second problem is the air conditioning system had a failure with the evaporator which seems to be very comon according to several service centers that I have contacted outside the chrysler company. Which spitzer Dodge wanted to charge $1100.00 to repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088699, filed 2004-08, 61,995 miles“At approximately 50,000 miles, the AC unit needed to be recharged. This would be around august of 2001. While out of the norm with a relatively new vehicle, I chalked it up to routine maintenance had coolant added and went on my way. In july of 2002, the AC again was not cooling the vehicle. Mileage on the vehicle was around 60,000 at this point. I spoke with an employee of the then daimler chrysler (I believe that unit has been sold to behr corporation) HVAC unit in dayton, oh. He asked me to have the evaporator unit checked. A close friend of mine is a mechanic; I had him do the work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039193, filed 2003-09, 50,000 miles“Dt: air conditioning light is blinking; engine check and air bag light is on, nothing on the dash (speedometer etc) does not work. Door locks do not work; it's like it all went out at once.”
NHTSA complaint #10120105, filed 2005-05, 135,000 miles“The automatic sliding door opened. Also, the handicap lift opened , and folded out. Consumer pulled over, and closed the lift and the door. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10098949, filed 2004-10, 70,000 miles“I own a 1998 Dodge Caravan 3.3l and less than 55,000 miles, the tensioner pulley went out of alignment, the bolt holding the tensioner in place was sheared in half, the belt fell off, and the steering locked up immediately. Thank god this happen in the shopping mall parking lot and not on freeway, the van be impossible to control! Have the van towed to c&m auto service, have the serpentine belt, the serpentine belt tensioner replaced and re-align the tensioner. The belt/pulley design on this van is flawed and a major safety hazard! …”
NHTSA complaint #10100917, filed 2004-12, 54,223 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10175735Apr 22, 2020Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and…
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169247Nov 20, 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage…
- 10150552Apr 23, 2015Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 15 | 6% |
| 2001 | 10 | 4% |
| 2000 | 18 | 4% |
| 1999 | 9 | 2% |
| 1998 | 28 | 4% |
| 1997 | 22 | 3% |
| 1996 | 42 | 3% |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% |
| 1994 | 34 | 5% |
| 1993 | 26 | 3% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
| 1991 | 12 | 2% |
| 1990 | 5 | 2% |
| 1989 | 8 | 4% |
| 1988 | 7 | 7% |
| 1987 | 4 | 6% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
| 1985 | 3 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Caravan
135 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsBrakes
48 complaintsSteering
42 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsSuspension
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsExterior lighting
31 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 29, 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