Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle's muffler became louder and the engine stalled. The vehicle could not restart. The contact stated that the vehicle had an abnormal fuel odor prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the muffler, fuel tank, and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 156,563.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. While operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was heard coming from the engine and the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to low oil pressure caused by faulty engine connecting rods. The vehicle was not repaired. Swantys Dodge (2494 south hwy 95, bullhead city, az) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 261,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. Without warning, the serpentine belt detached out of place. The contact replaced the serpentine belts and the pulleys, but the failure continued. The dealer indicated that there was no service campaign and recall to provide a solution. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/30/17 updated 09/25/2017
When I purchased my van August 21 2009 it had a problem with the left turn signal. The salesperson said it was from the bulbs being burnt out. I went to autozone that day to get the bulbs replaced, and that wasn't the problem. Autozone told me it was the turn signal switch that had went bad and was causing my left turn signal not to work. I went to Goodyear a few days later to have the turn signal switch replaced. They told me it was not a guarantee that it would hold or work for a while. Since then it still has not been working properly. Sometimes if I turned the defroster on it would kick on, but now it will turn on for maybe one turn and turn off right and when I go to use it again, it'll turn on then cut off and wont turn back on. Also my sliding passenger doors, the child lock is stuck and noone can open the door from the inside. …
Dear NHTSA: iam posting the exact problem as listed under your "defects" page for my specific vehicle: make : Dodge model : Grand Caravan year : 1998 manufacturer : daimlerchrysler corporation ervice bulletin num : 98771 date of bulletin: May 01, 1998 NHTSA item number: 601474 component: engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan summary: the radiator fan relay May not turn on the radiator cooling fans, causing engine to overheat. ================ this problem happened to me a little over a year ago. The radiator fan relay failed, causing the engine to overheat almost immediately. I was stranded and had to have the vehicle taken to my dealer, team Dodge of stone mountain, goergia. They refused to replace the relay as a recall (a tiny module located on the side of the radiator), and charged me in excess of $150.00 to replace it. …
During a hard rain shower, the serpentine belt which drives the alternator, A/C, power steering and water pump jumped off of the pulleys resulting in the loss of the power steering and the engine overheating. Had vehicle towed to a repair shop for repairs. Repair shop could not find any reason for the belt to jump off. Belt was examined and found to be in good condition. This first occurrence occurred on 12/16/2005. The second occurrence occurred on 7/28/2006 under the same wet weather conditions. The vehicle was taken to the same repair shop and checked out by the owner of the business. The belt was examined again and found not to have any sign of damage. The owner of the business replaced the belt with a new one as he could find no reason for the belt to jump off. Steering of the vehicle was next to impossible due to the loss of the power steering. …
The serpentine belt has come off of the pulleys on multiple occasions in wet weather, including rain and snow/slush, especially when a puddle is gone through by the right front side of the vehicle. On two of these occasions, I was turning a corner when the belt came off, lost control of my steering and almost hit the car which was stopped across from me. The belt coming off also causes the engine to overheat. This issue causes a loss of control and will lead to injury or death. Chrysler claims it is not a safety issue.. There is an updated belt/pulley kit which has a double-sided-grooved belt and pulley which is supposed to correct this issue but the cost to the consumer is approx $400-500 since Chrysler claims that this is not a safety issue. …
My 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3 l engine VIN: [redacted] ), the serpentine belt comes off when driving in rain, or when driving through puddle. When this happen, the vehicle lose power brakes power steering, causing very hazardous condition. This has happened about 6 times during the last 18 months out of which 2 were on freeway at 60mph. Fortunately I was able to pull over safely. Replaced the belt, tensioner etc, still the problem persists. Took it to Dodge dealer (dayton Dodge, dayton, nj) on 01/10/2006, they were unable to fix, siting "Chrysler is aware of problem, but has no fix" a search on google shows numerous hits for this problem on Chrysler minivans. I believe Chrysler has a TSB for this, but has not a recall. See below links below. Http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-4450.html http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_30931.html. Updated 07/17/2012
While driving in heavy rain my serpentine belt came off the pulleys and resulted in a dangerous situation when I lost my steering while driving in traffic. I understand that this is a common and dangerous problem on the earlier (1997 through the early 2000s models) Dodge Caravan 3.0, 3.3, and 3.8 engines. There are many postings on the internet with people having the same thing happening during rain storms. I am the original owner of this 1998 Dodge Caravan. The van only has 61,686 miles on it. At 43,000 miles I had to replace the belt, tensioner, and pulley idler. I also have heard that Dodge did a recall on this problem in at least one other country. Chrysler should be mandated to offer a fix for this here in the USA. I temporarily fixed my problem by putting the old serpentine belt back on the pulleys. This is not an easy task and trying to do it along the road is hazardous. …
While driving through puddles the serpentine belt which controls the steering and other accessories slips off. I have owned this vehicle since new and never had this problem before. Went to dealer he installed TSB bulletin 07-02-99 that consists of a bracket to stop the belt from coming off, but after I drove 7 miles in the rain it came off again. While at the dealer there were several other caravans towed there with the same problem, even a 2005. The dealer rep says this is a common problem because the water is splashed onto the belt tensioner and idler pulleys which are not grooved and just slips off. I did a web search at allpar.com, edmunds.com, etc. And found numerous complaints. This is a serious condition, people can be seriously injured or killed when they lose power steering control unexpectedly. I can't believe Chrysler corp. …
Engine complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 134 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, 24% of the model year's 559 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (50 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 4 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 Grand Caravan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 15 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.