This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 60 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated and the horn, speedometer, fuel gauge, and cruise control failed to function. The contact called stew hansen Dodge Ram Chrysler Jeep at (515) 331-2900 (located at 12103 hickman rd, urbandale, ia 50323) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while starting the ignition the air bag warning indicator illuminated as the entire instrument panel failed to function. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the serpentine belt had become detached from the vehicle. A splash guard was installed to prevent the failure but the failure three times as the contact was driving in rainy weather. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
- Rice, VA, USA
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When my van is in stop and go traffic the radiator fan fails to turn on to cool the engine to help it cool. Also it overheats at random in hot weather. My van uses a lot of coolant/antifreeze because of this. I have had the radiator replaced and pretty much everything else that is associated with the cooling system in an effort to fix this, but to no avail. Because of this I don't drive much as if it overheats I am stranded.
On 3 occasions recently all the dashboard gauges stopped working while I was driving the vehicle. The gauges resumed either on their own after a few moments or after stopping and restarting the van. Dealer could not recreate the problem and the diagnostic code only said that communication had been lost. The technician claimed that he could not find similar issues in his database, but from this website I see there are many others who have experienced this problem. There does not appear to be sure-fire fix. The vehicle is drivable and lights and windshield wipers continue to work while the gauges malfunction. But, driving is difficult without the speedometer and the odometer and trip mileage are incorrect after the gauges come back to life --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I also had this problem on a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan 148,000 miles. It would also not start, acted like sentry system kicked in (non sentry system vehicle) finally it malfunctioned and stayed in malfunction mode and I got it to the dealer and they diagnosed it as "no communication between the modules on he ccd bus - circuit was found shorted together and with the cluster unplugged, bus communication was possible - short in the bus" the "board inst cluster P/C w/flex P/C ( part # 4874440) was replaced " $850 repair job but it has solved the problem.
On 3 occasions recently all the dashboard gauges stopped working while I was driving the vehicle. The gauges resumed either on their own after a few moments or after stopping and restarting the van. Dealer could not recreate the problem and the diagnostic code only said that communication had been lost. The technician claimed that he could not find similar issues in his database, but from this website I see there are many others who have experienced this problem. There does not appear to be sure-fire fix. The vehicle is drivable and lights and windshield wipers continue to work while the gauges malfunction. But, driving is difficult without the speedometer and the odometer and trip mileage are incorrect after the gauges come back to life.
Sometimes when I start my van, it will start and immediately shuts off, no matter how many time you try, the ABS, and alarm dash light stay on. If you tap on the dash or wait a while the van starts normal. Also all the gauges sometimes stop working while I'm driving.
I own a 1998 Dodge Caravan and my speed odometer, my RPM, the temp gauge, and the gas gauge pop off at least 3 times a week either I wait and eventually it will come back on or I must hit it sometimes it comes back on other times it don't. is there a recall on this. The ABS comes on the check engine light also comes on. It is very dangerous when you have children in the car.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the brake line failed and was repaired by the dealer. The clockspring was also replaced according to a recall without the contact's consent. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, all of the electrical components were flashing on and off intermittently in the passenger compartment. The horn did not operate and there were other electrical issues with the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were less than 59,492. Updated 08/19/09 updated 08/20/09.
I only owned the van for about 2 weeks(it was used) and all my gauges went out. The first time I turned on the mirror button it came back on for a few days went out again. The second time it happened I turned on the wipers it came back on for about a day, then it went out completely. It seems alot of people have the same problems.
Caravan will attempt to start then stalls out. Once done 3 times it will not start for hours or days. All gauges fail at this time as well. Dealer cannot duplicate so tries to charge me for replacing various parts. Dodge needs to be responsible and place a recall on this problem.
Randomly will start up and immediately shut down. After 3 times, will not start. Have had it taken to 4 different mechanics over the last 18 months. 2 were Dodge dealerships. One dealership replaced the starter for $440. The next dealership (I was out of town for christmas, so couldn't return to first dealership) replaced the power train control module for $800. Still have had the problem. The message board is full of people with the same problem and dealers replacing the same parts that I have had replaced and still not getting fixed. If I can look on the internet and see what is wrong, why can't a mechanic? I will have the instrument panel cluster changed next and it better be no charge!!
I have a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan that has some electrical problems that can't seem to be fixed. The dashboard lights turn off and the vehicle won't start and stay running. It used to come right back on after tapping the center of the dash, but that doesn't work anymore. It even happens now while we are driving. My local Dodge dealership can't figure out what's wrong with it, and after spending a chunk of money trying to get it fixed many different times, so my wife and children feel safe in it I am definitely sorry I ever bought it. The problem occurs now almost every day to every second day, and will last anywhere from a couple of minutes to couple of days.
After having my transmission replace I noticed everything on my dash was dead, my ABS and alarm set light would come on. It only stayed that way for a few minutes and then everything would come back on, but then the problem only got worse. I would try to start the van but when I did it would shut back off because my dash gauges were not working and my ABS light was on. I have 3 kids and I depend on my van for transportation. I went on a website " topix" and found that there are alot of people with the same problem, also that is how I got this address. It seems like nobody has the right solution, there are just different suggestions. I think there should be a recall so that way everybody can stop wasting money on what repair shops try (say) and let Dodge figure it out and compensate for all of the hassles, missed appointments, and everything else.
Sometimes when I turn the key the engine will start and immediately stall. After the third try, it will not start at all. The gauges and odometer also fails at this time. After sitting for anywhere from 1 hour to 4 days (so far) the engine will start. It might be ok for a day or a month and then it happens again. Several times while driving the gauges go off, engine falters and then comes back on. Other times engine starts and idles rough as if there is a vacuum leak then it straightens out. This has been a problem off and on for around 2 years but is now happening more frequently. Today I went to a store and when I came out the car wouldn't start. It is still parked at the store. I researched the problem on the internet and found a variety of answers. Don't want to have to install many parts at $250 plus labor each time and still have the same situation. I know of three people with similar problems. I would like to know why there have been no recalls or service bulletins issued about this problem.
I have a 98 Grand Caravan when I bought it the back hatch would not open then I noticed a loud humming in the tires when I bought it had the bearing replaced fixed that problem then when checking oil noticed strut towers rusted driver side about 5 to 6 inch total separation passenger about 3 inch, next my air bag light came on at the same time as my cruise control and horn quit working, now my instrument panel don't work all of it don't know how many miles or how much gas nor how fast im going have not had nothing fixed trying to get a hold of Dodge will some one have to die from the strut towers before they recall them? also when I put gas in I have to open windows a really strong smell of gas fills the van.
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. Tried to start it and it would start and die about 3 times and then not start at all. Replace PCM. Worked a couple days and then started again. Read on web boards of this happening to other people and if they hit the dash it would start and when it happened again I hit the dash and it would start. When it wouldn't start all the guages on the dash would not work. This seemed to work. Then when I went over a bump and turned at the same time the van would die. I could put it in "N" and get it started again while I was still turning. This is very dangerous becase you loose power steering while going around a corner. Heard on message borad if you took the instrument cluster off and check the saudering that this woudl solve the problem. Did this but did not solve the problem. Then the fuel gauge would stop reading when it did have gas in it. Then the fuel guage would start dinging even though it read full. I have seen on the internet with many people having the same problems. Below is one such website. Have done all kinds of diagnostics on it and can not figure out what is wrong with it. It still looses guages and will not start intermittently. www.topix.net/forum/autos/Dodge-grand-Caravan/tpc8ih1li2S41I22D/P5.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Desoto, IA, USA