1998 Dodge Caravan problems & reliability
629 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Caravan, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
26 complaints report injuries (37 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 135 | 21% |
| Power Train | 103 | 16% |
| Air Bags | 99 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 68 | 11% |
| Steering | 42 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 41 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 39 | 6% |
| Suspension | 37 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 31 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 80,000 miles (middle 50% between 59,338 and 111,500 miles), based on 184 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owned a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The front end was severely damaged. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The passenger side air bag deployed although no passenger was present in the vehicle. The vehicle was…”
Air Bags · filed Dec 10, 2018
“The indicator lamp air bag is on continuously. I drive a vehicle all the time, and my trip 50% highway and 50% city.”
Air Bags · filed Dec 3, 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired several times, but…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Oct 18, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA04013 · opened Jun 4, 2004 · closed May 25, 2005 · led to recall 04V480000
- DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
Recall Query RQ04001 · opened Jan 28, 2004 · closed Jun 4, 2004
- REAR SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION
Preliminary Evaluation PE02004 · opened Jan 16, 2002 · closed Mar 11, 2002 · led to recall 02V076000
- AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
Engineering Analysis EA01007 · opened Feb 21, 2001 · closed Nov 22, 2002 · led to recall 02V293000
- DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
Recall Query RQ00008 · opened Mar 9, 2000 · closed Mar 18, 2002 · led to recall 00V268000
- POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
Engineering Analysis EA99013 · opened Jun 11, 1999 · closed Aug 10, 2001
- POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
Preliminary Evaluation PE99010 · opened Feb 3, 1999 · closed Jun 11, 1999
Technical service bulletins
118 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Caravan. The 10 most recent:
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only…
68332810 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 7, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1998 Dodge Caravan has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Dodge Caravan?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 80,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.