Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling129
- Air bags104
- Power train81
- Electrical system79
- Suspension51
- Service brakes, hydraulic38
- Vehicle speed control27
- Structure27
- Steering23
- Visibility21
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 35 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan failed the safety check 1.82% of the time — 6% more often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 151,920 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 11.7–14.0 L/100 km (about 17–20 mpg US), CO₂ 269–322 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 9.7 | 11.7 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 9.8 | 12.3 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 10.7 | 12.7 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 10.5 | 12.9 |
| Grand Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 15.4 | 10.7 | 13.3 |
| Grand Caravan AWD · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 16.5 | 11.0 | 14.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan.
| 2004366 7 Oct 2004 | Airbag On certain vehicles, increased clockspring terminal resistance or a back-winding condition of the clockspring may cause the airbag warning lamp to illuminate. … |
| 2002201 6 Nov 2002 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the clockspring assembly may have been backwound during the vehicle assembly process. This could illuminate the air bag warning lamp and m… |
| 2000215 3 Oct 2000 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with the 3.3L or 3.8L engine the Nitrile "O-ring" seals used in the fuel rail may degrade over time and extended exposure to elevat… |
| 1997235 29 Dec 1997 | Seats And Restraints The shoulder harness restraint webbing may have been incorrectly routed around the metal reinforcement bar in the integrated child seats. As a result, the chil… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT WEBBING WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED AROUND THE METAL REINFORCEMENT BAR ON THESE SEATS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 6088540 | OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO IDENTIFY THOS EMINIVANS THAT CAN BE OPERATED ON ETHONOL (E85) FUEL. *AK |
| 604819 | EMISSIONS RECALL -- VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 601474 | THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY MAY NOT TURN ON THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *AK |
| 600306 | VARIOUS INFORMATION ON VECI LABEL REPLACEMENT. *YC |
| 10229256 | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10221686 | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty. |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10175735 | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. |
| 10169249 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10169247 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10169245 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation