10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,596 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Dodge Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Jan 242010

Caravan

  • 121,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Defective engine intake manifold bolt broken inside housing. 1998 Dodge Caravan SE, 121000 miles.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #41

Mar 012006

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times, but the dealership is unable to determine a problem.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #40

Dec 012000

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer is having problems with his serpentine belt. He states that the belt keeps coming off of the pulleys causing his van to over heat and loose steering.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #39

Aug 102004

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer stated half of the engine had to be replaced because the vehicle failed the emission test. As a result, oil burned excessively.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #38

Jun 292004

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 48,300 miles
We smelled coolant, and brought our van to a mechanic. He told us we had a blown head gasket. He said our engine was faulty. We had 48,300 miles on the engine. The head gasket was repaired, don't know if our mechanic kept the old gasket.

- Lower Lake, CA, USA

problem #37

Feb 242004

Caravan

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission failed at 80,000 miles. Also, engine head gasket was replaced two months ago.

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

problem #36

Jan 011999

Caravan 4WD 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Six different cases of mechanical problems the vehicle experienced. Problems with head gasket, the transmission twice and three times on the flywheel. The mechanic found that the bolts on the flywheel and the torque converter were loose. The consumer was informed that the vehicle was known to have problems with the crankshaft, which causes the flywheel to break off, the consumer was told the crankshaft was out of round, which caused the problem.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #35

Sep 082003

Caravan 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Purchased a used Dodge Caravan on 8-19-02 with 28,000 miles showing on the meter. It now has 35,000 miles on it and the head gasket is leaking oil down the back of the engine and on to the ground. Dealer says they will not repair it unless I pay for it. Seems like a very costly repair on a van with this few miles on it. This will be the last Chrysler product I will purchase.

- Houlton, ME, USA

problem #34

Sep 012003

Caravan

  • miles
While driving at 45 mph cruise control sensor light blinked, then engine stalled.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #33

Jun 032003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
While passing a tractor trailer on rt 422 West of pottstown without warning my rmp's shot up and I lost power. My check engine light came on. I pulled off the shoulder of the highway. The transmission was slipping and not shifting correctly. I was able to get my Caravan to quigley motors which is the local Dodge dealership. The diagnosis was 3rd gear was totally destroyed and they found alot of metal fragments in the pan. It's going to cost me $2500. To fix it. The Chrysler corporation needs to acknowledge that there is a well documented problem with this transmission and should rectify the situation. It is my first Chrysler vehicle and it will probably will be my last. The service that I received at quigley motors was horrendous. My van was there an entire week before they could get it in to give me a repair estimate. 5 star service"?" I don't think so!

- Bechtelsville, PA, USA

problem #32

May 092003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,023 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine head gasket leaking coolant.

- Spring Grove, IL, USA

problem #31

Nov 262002

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,700 miles
The air conditioner compressor which was broke and rubbed against the serpentine belt caused the vehicle to catch on fire, also the head gaskets failed.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #30

Jan 242003

Caravan

  • 50,000 miles
Rear main seal leaked, which caused vehicle to use 3 quarts of oil per week. Mr...

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #29

Mar 112003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,000 miles
I purchased my vehicle in 2000. Two months later my transmission went. 16 months after that my motor went. I had to let my vehicle sit for nine months not being able to drive it and yet still making payments on it before I could afford to replace to the motor. So 3 weeks ago I had the motor replaced and now my transmission has gone again. Supposedly it was replaced with a factory rebuilt transmission the first time around. This seriously upsets me that the transmission has gone again. I still owe 2 and 1/2 years of payments on this vehicle and I am back to I cannot drive it again because I cannot afford to get it fixed. I was told of some factory problem with the transmissions and I wondered if this could be the reason that my vehicle is out of commission again. For the amount of money this used vehicle is costing me I would have been better off to buy a new one. The vehicle is a 1998 Dodge Caravan.

- Lyndonville, NY, USA

problem #28

Jul 012002

Caravan

  • miles
While traveling on the highway without prior warning. The surpentine belt fell off the motor please fill N additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- Alexander, VA, USA

problem #27

Oct 072002

Caravan

  • miles
Consumer states that when vehicle is parked overnight, the head gasket leaks fuel, consumer almost fell from the fuel spill. Dealer contacted.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #26

Mar 012002

Caravan

  • miles
When sitting in park or reverse can hear metal knocking. When turning on air conditioning noise is really loud. Mechanic stated it was flywheel that causing the noise.

- Melrose, FL, USA

problem #25

May 032002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Vehicle started leaking and burning oil. Took to dealer and dealer indicated head gaskets were blown.

- Assaria, KS, USA

problem #24

Apr 012002

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine head gasket blewout, causing vehicle to leak oil. Consumer states that the manifold was cracked and welded.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #23

Jan 012002

Caravan

  • miles
Head gasket leaking oil at 60K miles. Manufacturer is aware of problem has service bulletin on head gasket leaks. Oil leak causing pollution, environmental damage, may result in engine failure or fire. Chrysler will not repair, estimates my cost $300 to fix. Manufacturing defect. Nlm

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

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