CarModelProblems.com

1998 Dodge Caravan Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 1.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
629Complaints
14Recalls
45Crashes
23Fires
37Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (13% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 1.5× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission82 · 13%not available
Air Bags59 · 9.4%RecalledRecall 02V293000 · Recall 04V480000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys46 · 7.3%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine42 · 6.7%not available
Air Bags:frontal32 · 5.1%RecalledRecall 02V293000 · Recall 04V480000
Electrical System:horn28 · 4.5%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS59 · 9.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN28 · 4.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE24 · 3.8%
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER19 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19 · 3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 629 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 10E034000 · 2010 · reported 08/10/2010

IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:rear/other

NHTSA campaign 02V076000 · 2002 · reported 03/08/2002

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E091000 · 2006 · reported 11/02/2006

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 03E045000 · 2003 · reported 09/26/2003

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE COULD STALL. ALSO, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

NHTSA campaign 00V268000 · 2000 · reported 09/13/2000

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 03E053000 · 2003 · reported 10/24/2003

A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 02V293000 · 2002 · reported 11/07/2002

THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 04V480000 · 2004 · reported 10/06/2004

THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Child Seat

NHTSA campaign 97V231000 · 1997 · reported 12/15/1997

THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE PIN WENT TROUGH THE CASE AND CAUSED THE FRONT END TO LOCK UP AND THE VAN WENT SKIDDING DOWN…”NHTSA complaint 735011 — filed 10/24/2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. ALSO, COMPUTERIZED TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED INTO SECOND GEAR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. FOUND BROKEN WIRE IN…”NHTSA complaint 861514 — filed 05/05/2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR END, BUT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING…”NHTSA complaint 858525 — filed 03/14/2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

3920051323200791120091882011132013872015312017132019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Dodge Caravan?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 82 of 629 NHTSA complaints (13%), followed by air bags (59), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (46), engine and engine cooling:engine (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Dodge Caravan have?

629 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 45 involved a crash, 23 involved a fire, and 37 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E104000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Dodge Caravan's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.