DODGE GRAND CARAVAN · model year

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

761 NHTSA complaints, 49 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998DODGEGRAND CARAVAN carries 761 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 49 crashes, 34 fires, 47 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 GRAND CARAVAN is air bags with 74 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (58) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (50). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1998 GRAND CARAVAN, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

761
Complaints
49
Crashes
34
Fires
47
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

761 filings

Crashes Reported

49 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS74
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION58
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS50
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE36
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE26
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL25
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL22
SUSPENSION:FRONT22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP14
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH9

Recent Complaints

20220627STEERING

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Mileage: 152,000

20220627ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Mileage: 152,000

20200420AIR BAGS

THE DRIVER'S HORN DOES NOT WORK AND HASN'T SINCE IT WAS TAKEN IN TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS DONE AS PER A RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA AND DAIMLERCHRYSTLER CORPORATION RELATING TO DRIVER'S AIRBAG BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. HE ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON THE VAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND WHEN I DISCOVERED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING AND SUBSCRIBING TO THE THE NHTSA RECALL ALERTS I DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT CLOCK SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AS WELL, BECAUSE IT WAS DONE SO SOON AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AND THEY WERE SORRY, BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT AGAIN. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM ORIGINALLY. EVEN

20200420UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DRIVER'S HORN DOES NOT WORK AND HASN'T SINCE IT WAS TAKEN IN TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS DONE AS PER A RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA AND DAIMLERCHRYSTLER CORPORATION RELATING TO DRIVER'S AIRBAG BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. HE ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON THE VAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND WHEN I DISCOVERED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING AND SUBSCRIBING TO THE THE NHTSA RECALL ALERTS I DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT CLOCK SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AS WELL, BECAUSE IT WAS DONE SO SOON AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AND THEY WERE SORRY, BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT AGAIN. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM ORIGINALLY. EVEN

20190614ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE CAUSED BY FAULTY ENGINE CONNECTING RODS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SWANTYS DODGE (2494 SOUTH HWY 95, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,000.

Mileage: 261,000

20180817ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED STEW HANSEN DODGE RAM CHRYSLER JEEP AT (515) 331-2900 (LOCATED AT 12103 HICKMAN RD, URBANDALE, IA 50323) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

20170818SERVICE BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. INSPECTION OF OTHER BRAKE LINES SHOWED HEAVY CORROSION. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (STRAIGHT LINE) ON A CITY STREET AND RETAINED MINIMAL BRAKING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT (NO COLLISION) AND 'LIMP' TO THE REPAIR SHOP. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES.

Mileage: 156,000

20170712CrashSEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..U

Mileage: 180,000

20170712CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..U

Mileage: 180,000

20170712CrashSEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..U

Mileage: 180,000

20170712CrashSEATS

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT INCAS IN CAME APART AT THE ADJUSTER TRACKS. THIS CAUSED ME TO BE THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VAN MAKING MY INJURES MUCH WORSE. SEE ALSO 11004775. *DSY

Mileage: 1,800,000

20170125ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WITHOUT WARNING, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED OUT OF PLACE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELTS AND THE PULLEYS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND RECALL TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ UPDATED 09/25/2017*JS

Mileage: 225,000

20151007AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20151007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20150922FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING IT WOULD'T START ANY MORE

20150922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING IT WOULD'T START ANY MORE

20150622ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S MUFFLER BECAME LOUDER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER, FUEL TANK, AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,563.

Mileage: 156,563

20150622ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S MUFFLER BECAME LOUDER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER, FUEL TANK, AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,563.

Mileage: 156,563

20150622FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S MUFFLER BECAME LOUDER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER, FUEL TANK, AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,563.

Mileage: 156,563

20150422CrashAIR BAGS

I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP. I HIT TWO CARS AND THE MEDIAN. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED NUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAD MAJOR INJURIES INCLUDING BROKEN ANKLE, HAND, RIBS AND BREATHING. I SPENT 3 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL. *TR

Mileage: 195,000

Compare 1998DODGEGRAND CARAVAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN have?
The 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN has 761 NHTSA complaints, 49 crashes, 34 fires, 47 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN?
The most-complained component for the 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN is AIR BAGS with 74 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS.
Is the 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.