1998 Dodge Caravan Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 629 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 3% of the 629 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My windshield wipers turn on even in the off position and I have had to remove the fuse so that they won't run continuously. I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan. The dealer can't seem to find the problem. I now have to drive without any windshield wipers or if it is raining I have to stop and open the hood and put the fuse back in...then they run continuously. This is very dangerous and I have noticed on the internet that I am not the only one with this problem. The dealer is now ordering a part called a bcm which costs $500 in hopes that it will fix the problem but they are not sure.”
NHTSA complaint #10098825, filed 2004-11, 83,000 miles“Windshield wipers have become intermittent and getting worse to the point of not coming on until the vehicle has been on for a half hour. This happened after the panel lights such as for the AC unit etc began to blink at a constant rate and then they steady out after 20 minutes. Have gone to two Dodge dealerships. First one had me pay for and replace multi-function switch and it did not fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10145688, filed 2005-12, 110,000 miles“We bought this van in januarary 1, 2000 we have had this van for a year now and have had the brakes done on it 8 times. The brakes get so hot that it melts the valve stems. Also when we bought this van the yellow lights on the front dash for the rear window wiper and the other lights surrounding that light keep blinking and wont stop blinking until driving on the freeway for about 10 to 15 minutes. The dealership didn't know how to make the lights stop blinking.”
NHTSA complaint #739432, filed 2001-01“This is the second Caravan I have owened that has had a problem with the rearview mirror falling off/ other Caravan oweners I have spoken with have had the same problem. Is this common? It certainly is an inconvience if not a safety problem.”
NHTSA complaint #713195, filed 1999-10“As a concerned citizen, who handles the fleet for a state agency, I unhappy that nothing has been published from the manufactured as recalls to fix the problems which seems to happen around 35,000 miles or if the vehicle happens to be parked for anytime over two weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #758373, filed 2002-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 16 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 8 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 8% |
| 2000 | 15 | 3% |
| 1999 | 14 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 3% |
| 1997 | 56 | 8% |
| 1996 | 121 | 9% |
| 1995 | 37 | 8% |
| 1994 | 44 | 7% |
| 1993 | 52 | 5% |
| 1992 | 72 | 8% |
| 1991 | 23 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 3% |
| 1989 | 6 | 3% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 11% |
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 complaintsEquipment
28 complaintsBody and structure
26 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