1998 Dodge Caravan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 103about this part
- Share
- 16%of 629 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 103 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 16% of the 629 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 6 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.
“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“I own a 1998 v6 Dodge Caravan. My wife was traveling on the interstate and the transmission literally blew apart. It was not merely a transmission failure, but the transmission case was destroyed along with the transmission. I have checked the transmission monthly since I purchased the van in 1999, and I have properly maintained and changed the fluid. The damage to my vehicle was $2,511.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10062014, filed 2004-03, 104,000 miles“I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan sport with 57000 miles. Today 7/2/03 the transmission failed, it appears that the casting cracked due to an internal failure. I know of two other owners of the same year van that had the same problem. I contacted the chrysler district office and was told I was out of luck..”
NHTSA complaint #10025338, filed 2003-07, 57,500 miles“I purchased my vehicle in 2000. Two months later my transmission went. 16 months after that my motor went. I had to let my vehicle sit for nine months not being able to drive it and yet still making payments on it before I could afford to replace to the motor. So 3 weeks ago I had the motor replaced and now my transmission has gone again. Supposedly it was replaced with a factory rebuilt transmission the first time around. This seriously upsets me that the transmission has gone again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010546, filed 2003-03, 137,000 miles“When putting the car in reverse to leave for work, I heard a grinding noise. As I let the van run, the noise slowly stopped but the van wouldn't move. I talked to several people with caravans to see if this was common. And to my surprise, everyone said they had to replace/overhaul their transmission. I was informed to look at this site to see if any complaints matched mine and there was at least ten when I stopped counting. I notified Dodge and they were of little help because they said my vehicle had 77,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10082239, filed 2004-07, 78,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 26% |
| 2014 | 2 | 10% |
| 2013 | 2 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 5 | 6% |
| 2010 | 14 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 11 | 4% |
| 2007 | 9 | 11% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 22 | 11% |
| 2002 | 27 | 11% |
| 2001 | 19 | 7% |
| 2000 | 86 | 18% |
| 1999 | 96 | 17% |
| 1998 | 103 | 16% |
| 1997 | 133 | 19% |
| 1996 | 185 | 13% |
| 1995 | 93 | 19% |
| 1994 | 111 | 17% |
| 1993 | 101 | 11% |
| 1992 | 110 | 12% |
| 1991 | 57 | 9% |
| 1990 | 75 | 27% |
| 1989 | 48 | 25% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 7 | 10% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 6 | 12% |
| 1984 | 3 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Caravan
135 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 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