Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
On my way home from the dealership I heard a noise in the front end when I arrived home I called a mechanic the next day. He looked at my van on that Monday to find the stabilizer bar broke and zippity strip to the strut which was also bad. The dealer let me drive 180 miles with my son in the vehicle, and the front end was like this. The following week I was driving down the road and white smoke started to come from the vents so I returned to the mechanic and paid $105.00 to have freon with dye ran through my system to find the evaporator was bad and needed replaced, which would cost at least $860.00. Then at 36 days of ownership and only 64000 miles the constant velocity joint is bad and a new transaxle is going to have to be put in this week. …
I bought a 1998 Dodge Caravan from falls church motors falls church va after a couple of months of driving I started to notice and feel a wobble in the front left drivers front tire a few months later I had a flat while the van was parked it took me and two other men to loosen the lugs on the tire to get of the tire the jack while the van in the air bent and the van fell to the side I pulled one of the men away from the van as I saw it falling toward us we got another jack and got the van back up in the air and put the donut on I than a short time later got on the highway and the donut flew off the van if it were in traffic it could have killed me and other on the highway a couple of month later the timing belt broke and the water pump I thought the van was still under warrant of the extended warranty from falls church motors I later found out it was not they I thought fixed the timing …
Consumer states left front side of vehicle appears to be lower than the right and the brakes wear down only on the front left side, vehicle skidded when brakes were being applied which caused an accident consumer was advised front caliper, rotor and brake pads were needed because they were worn, dealership advised consumer they could not explain why vehicle was skidding, consumer is having to replace the rotor, caliper and brake only on front side every 8000 miles, consumer was advised by delearship that this type of vehicle is known to have problems with the brakes and would probably have to be replaced every six months. Key would not turn in ignition, dealer attempted to remove cylinder and it broke, dealer replaced. Tape dragged in the tape player, dealer replaced. At times when starting vehicle, there is no radio, lights, or horn, dealer could not find any problems. …
Preparing for trip, noticed large amount of rust/corrosion on driver side strut tower. Large chuncks of rusted metal loosened when lightly touched. This was within two weeks of an oil change, lube and filter at the dealership where purchased in 1999. Had checked by local mechanics, all said, "get rid of the car". Did research and discovered service bulletin was issued regarding this problem. Dealership stated "never seen this before. .
1998 Dodge Caravan se front strut covers are completely rotted through and I can view the ground beneath. Not only is this a safety issue, but an obvious manufacturer defect in the material used in such a critical location to the vehicle's structure. I am concerned the vehicle will become uncontrollable in the event of failure and serious injury could result to the driver and other vehicles.
1998 Dodge Caravan se front strut covers are completely rotted through and I can view the ground beneath. Not only is this a safety issue, but an obvious manufacturer defect in the material used in such a critical location to the vehicle's structure. I am concerned the vehicle will become uncontrollable in the event of failure and serious injury could result to the driver and other vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. While the vehicle was being inspected at an independent mechanic for a brake repair, the technician stated that the front driver side strut tower was corroded and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
I took my vehicle in for an inspection and the mechanic informed me that the upper strut towers on my 19998 Dodge Caravan are rusting through causing possible steering and brake failure. I was told if the problem is not corrected and the tower collapses while drive I will loose total control of steering and possible brakes.
1998 Dodge Caravan strut towers rusting through. Dodge said its a cosmetic repair. I bought this van used and the drivers side strut is now made my van dangerous to drive because the drivers side is now resting on strut. The seller will not let me return it.
Consumer states vehicle's left front strut tower is cracked on top. Dealer notified. The mechanic stated that this wasn't an unusual failure and without repair, the problem will get worse until the suspension breaks.
Suspension complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1998 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 6% of the model year's 629 complaints. The component named most often is front (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Caravan suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.