Model year record

1998 Dodge Caravan

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 840 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V480000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
955,344
Reported to NHTSA
2004-10-06
Owners notified
2004-10-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V293000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,500,521
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-07
Owners notified
2002-11-18

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V076000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
545,311
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-08
Owners notified
2002-06-03

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V268000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,163,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-09-13
Owners notified
2002-01-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V231000

Child seat

Component
Child seat
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
900
Reported to NHTSA
1997-12-15
Owners notified
1998-02-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROUTING OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING AND ANY FOUND INCORRECT WILL BE PROPERLY ROUTED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission8268,000 mi
Air bags5987,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys4660,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4269,023 mi
Air bags: frontal3273,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2894,469 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline24
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1950,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1972,000 mi
Electrical system1890,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1880,000 mi
Suspension: front18117,171 mi
Unknown or other1745,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1686,000 mi
Steering16100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling15100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1456,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1167,000 mi
Tires953,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control994,469 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system811,600 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit879,984 mi
Seats816,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc880,000 mi
Structure: body: door8135,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module765,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition778,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch7
Structure: body7117,000 mi
Suspension765,000 mi
Seat belts646,175 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system6100,601 mi
Tires: tread/belt6
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor656,944 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly598,400 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices589,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump5102,000 mi
Power train582,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings556,234 mi
Steering: rack and pinion5
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer583,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system448,415 mi
Fuel system, gasoline459,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch470,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines4
Service brakes, hydraulic474,795 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump458,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Visibility: windshield4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel3130,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator391,929 mi
Engine3119,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility370,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap344,000 mi
Parking brake3
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter381,525 mi
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: retractor3100,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other3
Seats: front assembly: recliner3
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment391,929 mi
Structure354,223 mi
Structure: frame and members3155,000 mi
Wheels3
Child seat2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan273,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
Equipment254,223 mi
Equipment: electrical259,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting2130,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch289,568 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal2138,444 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2148,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)266,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2
Service brakes2132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections2
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate2
Suspension: rear2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Air bags: on-off switch assembly177,950 mi
Air bags: side/window182,000 mi
Child seat: harness buckle: infant1
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Electronic stability control (ESC)195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices130,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors180,000 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch152,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: axle hubs1102,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint163,000 mi
Seat belts: front1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings156,400 mi
Steering: column1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar163,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.