Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I am the second owner of a 1998 Dodge Caravan and bought a carfax report when purchasing which was clean showing no accidents, no problems. The one recall alert on this year and model was taken care of previously. The car has generally been dependable, other than ongoing problems with the instrument cluster which fails intermittently and all the panel lights go off. On January 6th, 2015 I was shopping not far from home and upon exiting the store parking lot to leave (2-3 MPH) turning the wheel normally while backing up from my space, the entire steering wheel just fell into my hands leaving it attached by only a few wires. There was no prior warning of the upcoming failure, no shaking, no wobble, nothing.I am a senior and was in the car alone. Luckily, some strangers helped push me back into parking space by holding and turning the steering wheel in place, as it would not snap back in. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that when driving on wet roads, the power brakes and steering failed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I own a 1998 Dodge Caravan 3.3l and less than 55,000 miles, the tensioner pulley went out of alignment, the bolt holding the tensioner in place was sheared in half, the belt fell off, and the steering locked up immediately. Thank god this happen in the shopping mall parking lot and not on freeway, the van be impossible to control! Have the van towed to c&m auto service, have the serpentine belt, the serpentine belt tensioner replaced and re-align the tensioner. The belt/pulley design on this van is flawed and a major safety hazard! In brazil, Chrysler did a recall back in 2000 - due to several issues related to belt/pulley system on the Caravan and grand Caravan models.
The serpentine belt popped off my 1998 Dodge Caravan, it is 02/10/10 -- the day of the blizzard. This happened before on the day of the blizzard in December. This leads to an immediate loss of power steering during the worst possible driving conditions. When I tried to find out what had happened in December, two mechanics at the Dodge dealership both immediately knew what had happened. They said it happens all the time when ice or snow gets up under the car. I believe this is a very dangerous manufacturer's defect. Loss of critical steering capability during the worst possible driving conditions.
While driving the consumer heard a groaning noise.. The driver started to pull of f to the side of the road when she experienced a momentary loss of control. When the consumer's husband checked the power steering reservoir he noticed it was dry. Upon further investigation the consumer found out that the bottom of the power steering pump had corroded through and the fluid leaked out through the housing.
On my wife's 1998 Dodge Caravan, the idler serpentine belt tensioner arm completely broke off causing alot of noise under the hood, loss of power steering, and loss of alternator battery recharge. It also caused some damage to the other pulleys. I've owned many cars and this has never happened on other makes. This is a safety hazard that can leave anybody in the middle of no where.
The serpentine belt on my 98 Dodge Caravan keeps breaking. When it does, I lose control of the car. I bought the car December 17, 2009 and have had the belt break 4 times since then, causing me near miss accidents and has left me stranded along the highway with my young children.
The serpentine belt on my 98 Dodge Caravan keeps breaking. When it does, I lose control of the car. I bought the car December 17, 2009 and have had the belt break 4 times since then, causing me near miss accidents and has left me stranded along the highway with my young children.
The consumer stated the steering locked up when she made a turn to the right and then to the left. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and the mechanic was unable to find what was wrong with the vehicle.
Consumer had the power steering belt replaced four times. Every time it rained the belt fell off. Chrysler repaired four times at no cost to consumer. The belt fell off again yesterday when it rained. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and wass awaiting repair.
Steering complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 7% of the model year's 629 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Caravan steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1998 Dodge Caravan, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Caravan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.