1998 DODGE CARAVAN

840 complaints filed with NHTSA.

840
Complaints
62
Crashes
31
Fires
47
Injuries
2
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION82
AIR BAGS59
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS46
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE42
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL32
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE24
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18
SUSPENSION:FRONT18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
STEERING16
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS16

Recent Complaints

20181210CrashAIR BAGS

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,

Mileage: 135,000

20140730FireSEATS

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

Mileage: 16,000

20110726FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE BEGAN ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AFTER REFUELING AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FUEL SYSTEM FAILURES PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 130,000

20100602FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. ONLY THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATE

Mileage: 80,000

20071010FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE DRIVER FELT HEAT UNDERNEATH HER FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND LABELED AS DESTROYED. THE FUEL PUMP AND RADIATOR WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

20070720CrashSEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY AN AMBULANCE. THE CRASH CAUSED HIM TO LIE FLAT ON HIS BACK AND THE SEAT TO BEND BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE SEAT UPRIGHT, BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE THE SEAT FAILED IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, NERVE DAMAGE TO THE LOWER BACK, WALKING IMMOBILITY, AND SHOOTING PAINS UP AND DOWN HIS LEFT SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURE

Mileage: 165,000

20051012CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHERE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE IN JULY 2005, AND HOR

20051012CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHERE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE IN JULY 2005, AND HOR

20050808CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DT: CONTACT STATED ON 3-20-05 ANOTHER VAN VEERED INTO CONTACT'S VEHICLE LANE AND HIT IT AND RAN IT INTO A CEMENT POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. CONTACT NOT YET TALKED TO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 8-8-05 REGARDING THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE AIR BAG. SHE DID NOT THINK THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. CONTACT OWNE

20050506CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DT: DURING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *AK

20050504CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT REACH THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED. THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND BRAKES FAILED , RESULTING IN A CRASH.*AK...HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER PAID $160.OO TO REPLACE BRAKES. *AK *SB

Mileage: 80,000

20050504CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT REACH THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED. THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND BRAKES FAILED , RESULTING IN A CRASH.*AK...HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER PAID $160.OO TO REPLACE BRAKES. *AK *SB

Mileage: 80,000

20050401FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DODGE CARAVAN 1998, PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOOR FIRE IN VAN. *BF *JB

20050204CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, GOING AROUND A CURB, THE BACK OF THE VAN SKIDDED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OVER A HILL, AND IMPACTING A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, ONLY PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED I FACIAL INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

20050204CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, GOING AROUND A CURB, THE BACK OF THE VAN SKIDDED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OVER A HILL, AND IMPACTING A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, ONLY PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED I FACIAL INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

20041022CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45-50 MPH IMPACT WITH A TRACKER TRAILER AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL AND BODY BRUISES. DRIVER DID NOT GO TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL UNTIL A WEEK OR TWO LATER. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

Mileage: 82,000

20041022CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LEVEL PARKING LOT, AND WHILE IDLING IN NEUTRAL VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLIPPED INTO REVERSE INADVERTENTLY. THEN, VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE'S LEFT SIDE PANEL IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS CAUGHT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND DRAGGED TO THE GROUND. *TC

Mileage: 66,000

20041012CrashFatalAIR BAGS

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKIDDED INTO EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED TWICE. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

20041012CrashFatalSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKIDDED INTO EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED TWICE. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

20040917FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

1998 DODGE CARAVAN, VIN [XXX]. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION AND THE VAN CAUGHT FIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND THEY PUT IT OUT. THE VAN IS STILL SITTING AT MY HOUSE. THE PLASTIC, HOSES, AND BELTS ARE MELTED. I HAVE CALLED DAIMLER/CHRYSLER AND LOGGED A COMPLAINT. # [XXX] BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM O

Mileage: 11,600