1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 14%of 559 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,027miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, 14% of the 559 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,027 miles. 7 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.
“My 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan was stopped at a light, when I went to move forward, it clunked, and did not move for 1-2 seconds, then jumped forward. Took to tranny shop and was told I will need a new transmission. The shop indicated the transmission was not completely damaged at the time, but recommends that it be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10175442, filed 2006-12, 83,988 miles“The van started having problems last week.it does not want to go into first gear after reverse or after stopping. I have been told the the differential pin is broken and will take anywhere from $1700 to $2300 to repair. I am trying to get chrysler to cover the cost of this as it is a known problem with these vans. I will never buy another Dodge again.”
NHTSA complaint #10069767, filed 2004-01, 78,027 miles“Transmission failed while going 60 on interstate. Power would come and go leaving me stranded in the middle of traffic and attempting to get to the side of the road without getting hit. The engine light didn't come on until I was pulled off the road. No prior warning of the pending failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10179286, filed 2007-01, 141,000 miles“1998 Dodge Grand Caravan: massive transmission failure. The shaft of a pin extending into the core (sorry if I have the technical details wrong) sheered of completely and destroyed the entire transmission at around 50,000 miles. Shortly after the failure when the vehicle was first being looked at by my mechanic, the transmission locked up , meaning the vehicle could not be started or moved. …”
NHTSA complaint #10029296, filed 2003-07, 50,000 miles“I have experienced transmission problems with uneven shifting from the beginning of ownership of this Grand Caravan. The engine would rev up to a higher RPM than it should have before shifting into higher gear. Initially we were told that the car would adjust to the driver and thus accepted the explanation. There have been at least two different recent occurrences, when in gear, the car did not engage and seemed to be stuck in neutral. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039510, filed 2003-09, 65,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 40% |
| 2019 | 49 | 20% |
| 2018 | 23 | 8% |
| 2017 | 37 | 9% |
| 2016 | 221 | 22% |
| 2015 | 77 | 27% |
| 2014 | 19 | 5% |
| 2013 | 36 | 8% |
| 2012 | 48 | 8% |
| 2011 | 43 | 8% |
| 2010 | 40 | 5% |
| 2009 | 20 | 4% |
| 2008 | 68 | 5% |
| 2007 | 23 | 13% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 28 | 13% |
| 2002 | 42 | 14% |
| 2001 | 29 | 10% |
| 2000 | 95 | 21% |
| 1999 | 72 | 17% |
| 1998 | 81 | 14% |
| 1997 | 81 | 14% |
| 1996 | 209 | 18% |
| 1995 | 24 | 22% |
| 1994 | 56 | 28% |
| 1993 | 51 | 18% |
| 1992 | 37 | 15% |
| 1991 | 17 | 13% |
| 1990 | 27 | 49% |
| 1989 | 11 | 46% |
| 1988 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
129 complaintsAir bags
104 complaintsElectrical system
79 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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