1998 Dodge Caravan problems
Owners have filed 840 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 16.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 14%.
Complaints840
Crashes62
Fires31
Injuries47
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 16.9% · 142
Power train 14.0% · 118
Air bags 11.9% · 100
Electrical system 8.3% · 70
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.7% · 48
Steering 5.5% · 46
Fuel system, gasoline 4.9% · 41
Suspension 4.8% · 40
Severity
Of those complaints, 62 describe a crash, 31 describe a fire, 47 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Dodge Caravan in this data, 1998 sits 5th by complaint volume. 1996 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 18 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving in wet conditions, the serpentine belt would detach itself from under the vehicle. Once the failure occurred, the power steering would fail and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was inspected and repaired by the contact. The manufacturer was contacted and informed him of the remedy. The failure mileage was unknown. Engine and engine cooling
Purchased a used Dodge Caravan on 8-19-02 with 28,000 miles showing on the meter. It now has 35,000 miles on it and the head gasket is leaking oil down the back of the engine and on to the ground. Dealer says they will not repair it unless I pay for it. Seems like a very costly repair on a van with this few miles on it. This will be the last chrysler product I will purchase. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 35,000 miles
Head gasket failure. Vehicle well maintained, records available. Unacceptable for major engine failure (head gasket) at relatively low milage. Chrysler needs to recall as my independent mechanic reported that he has seen this problem with this type of engine many times although chrylser maintains that this is "not a common problem". Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…