Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 761 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 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
Air bags7488,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5875,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys5079,389 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3654,000 mi
Electrical system30111,400 mi
Electrical system: horn2788,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2675,000 mi
Air bags: frontal25100,000 mi
Suspension: front22120,015 mi
Vehicle speed control2294,850 mi
Engine and engine cooling1987,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1497,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut14100,800 mi
Unknown or other1357,796 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch9121,349 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor935,000 mi
Structure: body9140,000 mi
Suspension9123,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner870,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly8—
Seats8180,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights754,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic799,400 mi
Electrical system: ignition6103,700 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage6—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6—
Steering690,200 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump6—
Structure: body: door6—
Structure: frame and members6120,000 mi
Tires6266,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5—
Engine5120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan566,000 mi
Parking brake5122,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor560,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel4155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4129,580 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4156,563 mi
Power train478,027 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit483,500 mi
Seat belts470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4—
Structure490,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt426,105 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control463,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring470,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module369,357 mi
Air bags: side/window3115,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch390,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3109,500 mi
Parking brake: conventional3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner395,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer375,000 mi
Child seat278,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: wiring265,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly225,000 mi
Equipment2100,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.271,652 mi
Fuel system, gasoline275,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2157,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: integrated child seat280,000 mi
Service brakes2156,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper235,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings259,492 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections271,990 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint285,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber290,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire287,000 mi
Visibility287,240 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Child seat: harness buckle: infant1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer1152,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system198,356 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual187,000 mi
Exterior lighting1117,587 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices195,850 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages1117,587 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock167,970 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)166,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: driveline1106,258 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: rear/other1122,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, electric1131,299 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Steering: column157,796 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion125,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1124,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments157,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut16,200 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint185,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: valve1129,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1135,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system157,796 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Wheels1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.