1998 Dodge Caravan

629 complaints on file, page 1 of 32.

1. Filed Apr 13, 2019Failure Jan 10, 2019RED House, WVAir bags, Electrical system, Exterior lighting

   AIRBAG LIGHT ON NO TURN SIGNALS AND NO REVERSE LIGHTS DUE TO FAILED AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING

   NHTSA complaint 11196029
2. Filed Dec 10, 2018Failure Nov 29, 2018135,000 milesZanesville, OHAir bagsCrash1 injured

   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 DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD LACERATION ABOVE THE RIGHT EYE, A CONCUSSION, A BRUISED HEART AND LUNG, LEFT KNEE LACERATION, AND CHEST BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELTS. ALSO, BOTH WRISTS AND ELBOWS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11160520
3. Filed Dec 3, 2017Failure Dec 3, 2017104,580 milesRochester, NYAir bags

   THE INDICATOR LAMP AIR BAG IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. I DRIVE A VEHICLE ALL THE TIME, AND MY TRIP 50% HIGHWAY AND 50% CITY.

   NHTSA complaint 11052123
4. Filed Oct 18, 2016Failure Apr 12, 2016Carbondale, PABelts and associated pulleys

   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 THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

   NHTSA complaint 10917173
5. Filed Jan 12, 2016Failure Nov 12, 2015150,000 milesUhrichsville, OHService brakes, Steering

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS, THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10819663
6. Filed Apr 2, 2015Failure Apr 2, 2015Wilmington, NCElectrical system

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V139000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ..UPDATED 05/20/15 *BF UPDATED 11/19/15*JS

   NHTSA complaint 10703316
7. Filed Jan 21, 2015Failure Jan 7, 201555,000 milesRichwood, NYAir bags

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10676972
8. Filed Jan 15, 2015Failure Mar 15, 2012132,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVElectrical system, Service brakes, Vehicle speed control

   I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN 2012, WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED, I HAD TO PUT MY VEHICLE INTO GEAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONLY GOING 5 MPH OR LESS, I WAS ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE. THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT NOR ANY DAMAGE, SO I DON'T HAVE THAT TO REPORT. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO TOWBIN DODGE IN HENDERSON, NV THAT WEEKEND I BELIEVE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DEFECT HAD BEEN FIXED. HOWEVER, THE HORN, AIRBAG LIGHT AND ABS STILL DO NOT WORK. MY VIN #[XXX], MY QUESTION IS THIS. IF THE RECALL PROBLEM IS STILL DEFECTIVE EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN REPAIRED, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10672754
9. Filed Jan 8, 2015Failure Jan 6, 2015150,677 milesWestminster, CASteering

   I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND BOUGHT A CARFAX REPORT WHEN PURCHASING WHICH WAS CLEAN SHOWING NO ACCIDENTS, NO PROBLEMS. THE ONE RECALL ALERT ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL WAS TAKEN CARE OF PREVIOUSLY. THE CAR HAS GENERALLY BEEN DEPENDABLE, OTHER THAN ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS GO OFF. ON JANUARY 6TH, 2015 I WAS SHOPPING NOT FAR FROM HOME AND UPON EXITING THE STORE PARKING LOT TO LEAVE (2-3 MPH) TURNING THE WHEEL NORMALLY WHILE BACKING UP FROM MY SPACE, THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL JUST FELL INTO MY HANDS LEAVING IT ATTACHED BY ONLY A FEW WIRES. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE UPCOMING FAILURE, NO SHAKING, NO WOBBLE, NOTHING.I AM A SENIOR AND WAS IN THE CAR ALONE. LUCKILY, SOME STRANGERS HELPED PUSH ME BACK INTO PARKING SPACE BY HOLDING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE, AS IT WOULD NOT SNAP BACK IN. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT IN HIS CAREER HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS, MY EXPERIENCED MECHANIC SAID THE SAME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THE ENTIRE COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE CLOCK SPRING, ETC. AND EVEN WITH USED PARTS IT WILL BE COSTLY. I LIVE IN THE LA AREA WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON EVERY STREET. WHAT FRIGHTENS ME IS THAT I WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AND ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD FIRST PLANNED ON GOING TO A MALL VIA FREEWAY. THIS WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOW MANY MORE OF THESE STEERING WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF UNREPORTED? HOW MANY MORE ARE READY TO OCCUR TO SOME UNLUCKY DRIVER? *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10671050
10. Filed Jan 5, 2015Failure May 29, 2014119,000 milesGarden City, NYBelts and associated pulleys

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A PUDDLE, THE SERPENTINE TIME BELT DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10670100
11. Filed Aug 28, 2014Failure Mar 26, 2014116,850 milesYorba Linda, CAElectrical system

    THE LOS ANGELES CBS AFFILIATE STATION AIRED A STORY ABOUT CHRYSLER VEHICLES YEAR 2007 TO 2012 THAT WERE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR A POTENTIAL RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY TIPM, ALSO KNOWN AS A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE OWNERS REPORT INSTRUMENT PANEL PROBLEMS, GAUGES NOT WORKING, AIRBAG NOT WORKING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATING WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE, AND SO ON. I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH MANY OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS/SYMPTOMS. I SPENT $212 ON INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS FEES. PEP BOYS TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND IT WOULD TAKE A PROHIBITIVELY HIGH PRICE TO REPLACE. MY VEHICLE HAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THE ONES DESCRIBED ABOVE: FUEL GAUGE NOT CONSISTENTLY SHOWING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK; THE AIRBAG AND HORN NOT WORKING; THE WIPERS OCCASIONALLY OPERATE WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON; THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING LOCKED & UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY; THE HEATER OPERATES WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, AND SO ON. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS INFORMATION CAN BE USED SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR COMPARED IN INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY OTHER CHRYSLER OWNERS. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS A DURABLE PART, IT SHOULD OPERATE WELL FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY INVESTIGATION GOING ON WHICH MAY LEAD TO A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10629002
12. Filed Aug 6, 2014Failure Jun 4, 201499,000 milesLOS Angeles, CAElectrical system, Engine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INACCURATE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOUR TIMES TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ

    NHTSA complaint 10619332
13. Filed Jul 30, 2014Failure Jul 28, 201416,000 milesBaton Rouge, LASeatsFire

    ONLY A BLOCK OR 2 FROM HOME, DOING 20 MPH THERE WAS THE SMELL OF SMOKE THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. WE BAILED FROM THE VAN AND BEFORE 911 COULD BE CALLED THE VAN WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10617741
14. Filed May 12, 2014Failure May 11, 2014119,000 milesBAY Shore, NYEngine, Power train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10587870
15. Filed Mar 26, 2014Failure Mar 21, 2014Weirton, WVElectrical system

    I HAVE A 98 DODGE CARAVAN IT HAS NO DASH LIGHTS PARKING LIGHTS OR HORN. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10575055
16. Filed Mar 2, 2014Failure Feb 28, 2013Canoga Park, CASteering

    THE BELT KEEPS SLIPPING OFF ON MY DODGE CARAVAN. THIS HAS BEEN CONTINUAL. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF THESE COMPLAINTS. IT IS THE SERPENTINE BELT. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE MECHANIC. THEY TRY EVERYTHING, BUT WHEN IT IS WET, IT COMES OFF. I EVEN TRY NOT TO DRIVE IN RAIN, BUT AFTER THE RAINS, I DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE AND ITS OFF AGAIN., I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT SEEMS TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS, AS IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. FORTUNATELY SO FAR, I HAVE NOT BEEN GOING AT SPEED DURING THESE INCIDENTS. I HAD THE TENSIONERS TIGHTENED AGAIN LAST MONTH, AND ITS OFF AGAIN. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10566696
17. Filed Oct 1, 2013Failure Jan 19, 2012136,000 milesPAW PAW, MIEngine

    DRIVING DURING HEAVY RAIN/SNOW OR GOING THROUGH STANDING WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF OF THE PULLEYS. THIS LEADS TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND ENGINE COOLING. MILEAGE AND DATE ARE APPROXIMATE. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10546432
18. Filed May 29, 2013Failure May 26, 2013117,000 milesRosedale, MDBody

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10514038
19. Filed Apr 11, 2013Failure Apr 11, 2013NEW Kensington, PASuspension

    MAJOR CONCERN IS ABOUT THE STRUT HOUSING ROUGHING OUT BEEN LOOKING THIS UP AND FROM 97 TO 2000 MAYBE A BIT LONGER THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER NEED TO ADDRESS. I KNOW THEY DON'T WANT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MATTER ,BUT SOME ONE COULD GET HURT FROM THIS.I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AND HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ALL THE INFORMATION I CAN FIND ON THIS ISSUE.THIS IS FAULTY DESIGN OF CHRYSLER,THEY MADE TONS OF MONEY SELLING THE VANS,EVEN AFTER THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN THEY STILL DIDNT CHANGE THE DESIGN.WELL I HAVE TO HAVE MINE DONE BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I BETTER NOT GET HURT FROM ONE LETTING LOOSE. I SURVIVED CANCER NOT TO DIE FROM A AUTO ACCIDENT DO TO A SO SO GOOD DESIGN. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10506039
20. Filed Sep 17, 2012Failure Jul 6, 2012155,000 milesRoanoke, VAPower train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10475609