Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1998 Dodge Caravan, VIN [redacted]. 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. # [redacted] because my VIN is not on the recall list for; fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system. Updated 07/25/2012
Tl 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 approximately 80,000.
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.
5 batteries since purchased new. Three were noted as having leaked battery acid. In May/June 2003, the wiring harnesses (main ones) had been eaten by battery acid causing all sorts of electrical problems. The harnesses are routed under the battery pan. Stupid placement. Dealer spliced wires together to get it running at his cost, at my insistence. Van continues to start inconsistently. Horn doesn't work since dealer spliced wires. Turn ignition key - click, repeat 10-20 times, starter will catch on one. Design defect is routing of harnesses and lack of shield to protect them.
Gas leak at the top, before the overflow when filling. Have a shop checked, thinking there was a leak in the gas tank. The shop found no leak. Brought to local dealer to find if there is or was any recall that I missed. Dealer said that thre is none and if I want it fix I have to pay for it. I strongly recommend a recall.
The consumer smelled a strong odor of gasoline while standing near the vehicle. Upon arriving to work the odor became stronger. The consumer looked under the vehicle and found that the gasoline was leaking from the fuel tank. There was a recall for an earlier model of this vehicle.
A mechanic informed the consumer that they should not put a full tank of gas in the car and should only fill half a tank. When the tank was full this would cause a leak/rust. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide more information.
Dt*: the contact stated after refueling, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where it was determined the fuel pump detached, fell into the tank assembly and needs to be replaced.
Vehicle was leaking fuel. It was discovered when the consumer smelled gas. Consumer made contact with the manufacturer, and h was told that vehicle was not included in 03e450000, 03e530000, and 00V268000.
Recall 00V268000; vehicle caught on fire due to engine fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals which degraded over time, resulting into fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Post-collision fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
Post collision fuel system
Fuel System complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 7% of the model year's 629 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Caravan fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-268 (fuel injection system, Sep 13, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Caravan fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.