Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 Caravan. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were inoperable and obstructed her view of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the control unit, however, the windshield wipers failed to operate. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current mileage was 128,000 and the failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The intermittent feature of the windshield wipers just quit working as it should. It would sometimes work for a few wipes, stop working for a while, then sometimes it would start working for a few more wipes. The control module on the steering column has been replaced twice. It worked for about two blocks out of the shop & just quit again. So far I have invested over $1,000.00 trying to get them to work.
The wiper blades will turn on by themselves while driving. To get them to turn off you must turn the ignition system off then restart the vehicle. If you turn on the wipers while driving they will not go back off until the car has been turned off and restarted also.
Windshield wipers are uncontrollable. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they will not turn off. Sometimes the intermittent function doesn't work. This is a serious distraction and also a big hazard in the rain.
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan - windshield wipers operate sporadically on their own; in addtion, the gas gauge goes full to empty and back again sporadically. An internet search points to a faulty wiring harness as the problem.
The intermittent mode of the windshield wipers dose not work. The wiper control module has been replaced twice. The vehicle has been out of service a total of five days for the attempted repairs.
I was walking along the driver's side of the car coming around the front of the car and walking toward the driver's door to enter the car and leave on an errand. When I walked by the power mirror assembly on the driver's side of the car, my left arm bumped the mirror assembly and I heard a snap, looked back and saw the mirror was no longer in its proper position. The mirror had released and its reflective surface was now facing perpendicular to the side of the car instead of toward the back of the car. I attempted to reposition the mirror to its proper place but it would not snap into place and will not remain stationery. I took it to the dealership but it was about one month after the end of the warranty period. The dealership representative said there has been no notification of problems with the mirror assembly. …
Strut tower corrosion-driver side-rust and metal breaking up-1998 Grand Caravan-purchased new-has 83,500 miles- have had belt problems several times-also windshield wipers intermit failure -rusted out power steering mech. Totally replaced-many brake jobs-and also headlight interior switch seems to fail at times. I need to make a decission to buy a new van with "hand controls" or have this van "hand controls" installed. Me thinks I need to buy a new van and be looking at another manufactor. As it seems like Chrysler/Dodge is not stepping up to all these failures that are seen by too many other van owners;of this 1998 model Caravan. Saw on line a new repair for the strut rusting called ""fusor #112b/mopar 05083855aa. Can be used to fix this problemthe TSB #23-044-02 thru a company called lord corp. Listed under their OEM bulletins and repair recommendations using fusor adhesives. …
Recently bought 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The front wipers stopped working most immediately. We replaced the switch in the steering column and that did nothing. Then we replaced the wiper motor. That seemed to work but now they won't come on until the car has been on for a while. That is not safe as the rain does not wait until the car has been on for a while. Is such a safety hazard and other vans have recalls for this why not mine?
The problem with the air bag, cruise control & horn started approximately 1000 miles over warranty. At times, the horn will work, but not often and with no regularity. In regard to the windshield wipers, I have had them repaired at the dealership once. The problem continues to persist. I have also reported the suspension to the dealership, however, they were unable to locate a problem. Nlm
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, 4% of the model year's 559 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
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.