1998 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
534 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 185 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 72 of 534 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 84 | 15.7% |
| Braking behavior | 55 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 51 | 9.6% |
| Engine operation | 28 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 72 |
| Air Bags | 57 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 44 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 36 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 29 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 27 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 17 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 72; Air Bags: 57; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 44; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 36; Air Bags:Frontal: 29; Electrical System:Horn: 27; Electrical System: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 56 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 39 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 46 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 56; 75,000 to 99,999: 39; 100,000 to 149,999: 46; 150,000 and above: 17
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 349 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 65 |
| 2001 | 72 |
| 2002 | 103 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 84 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 22 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 65; 2001: 72; 2002: 103; 2003: 93; 2004: 84; 2005: 28; 2006: 12; 2007: 22; 2008: 8; 2009: 8; 2010: 12; 2011: 7; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 6; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 84 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 51 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001348 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
WHILE APPLYING THE GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AND WILL NOT MOVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002626 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. EXTENT OF REBUILD/REPAIRS BEING ASSESSED BY BENCHMARK TRANSMISSION, WILMINGTON DE. PROBABLE FAILURE OF SHIFT GOVERNOR DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF PART/PARTS WAS PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS OF BRANDYWINE CHRYSLER, WILMINGTON DE AND BENCHMARK TRANSMISSION, WILMINGTON DE. PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF REBUILD IS $1400, BUT DEPENDENT ON EXTENT OF INTERNAL DAMAGE. BENCHMARK REPORTED NO ELECTRONIC FAILURE OR CAUSE. MILEAGE IS 56,111. VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 1998 AND STILL OWNED BY ORIGINAL OWNER.
Owner-reported narrative. 56,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010739 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
I HAVE TO CHANGE MY FRONT BRAKE PADS ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH DUE TO THE BRAKES GET TO HOT AND USUALLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PAD JUST FALLS OFF WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN THIS PROBLEM IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN I GOT MY VAN BACK IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS, AND THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS COSTING A FORTUNE TO KEEP UP THE BRAKE…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,795 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020280 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE FAILED. THE DRIVER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. *NLM PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 42,733 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006535 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH WATER. LOSING THE BELT CAUSES DANGEROUS STEERING CHANGES AND STOPS THE WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR. THE MOST RECENT TIME THIS HAPPENED I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HAD A NEAR MISS HEAD ON CRASH PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES ON MY CAR AND TWO FRIENDS WHO HAVE THE SAME MODEL CARAVAN HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS---------770765. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015218 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DISCONNECTED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025938 · 2003-07-12 (July 12, 2003)
ON MY WIFE'S 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, THE IDLER SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER ARM COMPLETELY BROKE OFF CAUSING ALOT OF NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND LOSS OF ALTERNATOR BATTERY RECHARGE. IT ALSO CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE OTHER PULLEYS. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON OTHER MAKES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT CAN LEAVE ANYBODY IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 91,929 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038198 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT BLINKED, THEN ENGINE STALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002258 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT FUEL IS LEAKING FROM VENT TUBE THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009396 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
THE BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE GAS TANK.*JB THE CLAMP WHICH HELD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE WAS HANGING DOWN. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 59,846 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010862 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
1998 DODGE CARAVAN: (1.)TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS "FLEX PLATE" BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED BREAKING IN THE CENTER IMITATING THE SOUND OF A FAILING MAIN BEARING. UNDER 100,000 MILES. (2.) TRANSMISSION FAILED 100,000 MI., (3.)WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ENGINE RUNNING - DESTROYED HARNESS. (SPARKS SHOOTING OUT FROM BENEATH VEHICLE - FIRE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE MAJOR DAMAGE @ 110,000 MILES. ,000 MI. ( 4.) HEADLIGHT LENS PLASTIC TURNED MILKY AND INHIBITS PROPER LIGHT PROJECTION - DIFFICULT TO SEE WELL AT NIGHT EVEN WHEN LIGHTS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010862 at NHTSA ↗