1998 Dodge VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 18 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 10 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2005: 7; 2006: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10050315 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY BRAKES FAILED. DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE DUE TO A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722901 · 2000-05-19 (May 19, 2000)
AS OF THIS DATE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT 8,000 MILES, REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS. THE SECOND INCIDENT, I HAD THE VEHICLE BACK IN 4 MONTHS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DATE, 05-18-00, I AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY JUST TURNED 20,000 MILES. I FEEL THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE PARTS OR IN THE MANUFACTORING OF THE PARTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136247 · 2005-09-12 (September 12, 2005)
1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN; RATTLING SOUND FROM ENGINE AREA FOR A FEW WEEKS, INTERMITTENT. SOUNDED FINE WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, USED, IN JULY. TOTALLY LOST THE TRANSMISSION OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND, STRANDING MY HUSBAND AND I AND OUR 6-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ALMOST 2 HOURS FROM HOME. NOW HAVE TO INVEST NEARLY $2,000 TO REBUILD THIS TRANSMISSION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564001 · 2002-01-17 (January 17, 2002)
WHILE MAKING A TURN INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STALLED, DEALER STATED THE AUTOMATIC IDLE SPEED MOTOR THAT REGULATES THE IDLE OF THE MOTOR WAS CARBONED AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110163 · 2005-02-09 (February 9, 2005)
I STARTED THE VAN THAT MORNING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WAS NOT AWARE AT THAT TIME THAT MY HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE ALSO AFFECTED. I FOUND THAT THE HORN DIDN'T WORK WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALMOST HIT IT. AFTER THAT I CHECKED THE FUSES AND RELAYS BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I EVEN TOOK THE HORNS OFF THE VAN AND WIRED THEM UP DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY. ALSO MY CRUISE CONTROL WORKED FINE UNTIL THE PRODUCT FAILED. NOW THAT DODGE FIXED THE CLOCKSPRING THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF, I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 862317 · 2000-05-22 (May 22, 2000)
FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. ALSO, DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TWO OTHER FAULTY FUEL TANKS WHICH LEAKED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 862317 at NHTSA ↗