1998 Dodge VAN: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10015656 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
NAR 04/10/2003 THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS DONE ON AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER HAS INCLUDING RECEIPTS OF THE AMOUNT PAID FOR REPAIRS BUT DODGE HAS REFUSED TO MAKE PAYMENTS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 57,081 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015656 at NHTSA ↗
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 10106244 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A SMOKY ODOR IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN A YEAR AGO. AFTER REPLACING SEVERAL ENGINE GASKETS AND PRESSURE-WASHING THE ENGINE BLOCK TO RULE OUT BURNING OIL, THE SMELL CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. FINALLY, MIDAS DISCOVERED A CRACKED CROSSOVER PIPE WAS ALLOWING ENGINE EXHAUST TO ESCAPE AND ENTER INTERIOR OF THE CAB. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PART HAS BEEN ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH DODGE FOR OVER 3 MONTHS AND OVER 1,000 OF THESE PARTS ARE ON ORDER ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ACCORDING TO MIDAS, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GRAND C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10106244 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 10120065 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MOTOR FAILURES - TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OPERATING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS NO EFFECT, NOR CAN THE LOCKING ROD BE RAISED MANUALLY; DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY THE DOOR HANDLE OR TURNING THE KEY LOCKING/UNLOCKING MECHANISM. DEALER HAS TO REMOVE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL, DESTROY THE ACTUATOR MOTOR, AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT AT APPROXIMATELY $200.00 PARTS & LABOR. OLD ACTUATOR WAS RETAINED BY FLETCHER CHRYSLER-DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ROGERS, AR.
Owner-reported narrative. 128,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120068 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MOTOR FAILURES - TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OPERATING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS NO EFFECT, NOR CAN THE LOCKING ROD BE RAISED MANUALLY; DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BY THE DOOR HANDLE OR TURNING THE KEY LOCKING/UNLOCKING MECHANISM. DEALER HAS TO REMOVE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL, DESTROY THE ACTUATOR MOTOR, AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT AT APPROXIMATELY $200.00 PARTS & LABOR. OLD ACTUATOR WAS RETAINED BY FLETCHER CHRYSLER-DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ROGERS, AR.
Owner-reported narrative. 128,865 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120074 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MOTOR FAILURE - TRAPPED PASSENGER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. EXITING THE VEHICLE REQUIRED CRAWLING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND EXITING VIA ANOTHER DOOR WITH A STILL FUNCTIONAL LOCKING MECHANISM. DEALER HAD TO REMOVE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL AND DESTROY THE ACTUATOR MOTOR, AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT AT APPROXIMATELY $250.00 PARTS & LABOR. OLD ACTUATOR WAS RETAINED BY FLETCHER CHRYSLER-DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ROGERS, AR.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132603 · 2005-08-12 (August 12, 2005)
1-AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON 2-CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING 3-HORN STOPPED WORKING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132603 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.