Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Dodge Caravan has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns and 629 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10E034000 AFTERMARKET RECEIVER HITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E091000 FUEL PUMP MODULES/ENGINE STALL CONDITION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E022000 BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E023000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V480000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E053000 WIX FILTERATION/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E045000 INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V293000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V076000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/SEAT BELT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V268000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL LEAKAGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V231000 CHRYSLER/INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT HARNESS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 134 complaints
- Power Train 103 complaints
- Air Bags 98 complaints
- Electrical System 67 complaints
- Steering 42 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 38 complaints
Of the 629 complaints on file, 45 report a crash and 23 a fire; across all 629 complaints, owners report 37 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Dodge Caravan shows below-average reliability, primarily due to frequent engine and powertrain issues. Notably, fuel system problems have led to fuel leaks and safety risks. Airbag reliability is also a concern. While maintenance costs are moderate, repairs for common failures are often required, impacting long-term ownership satisfaction.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| powertrain | 80,000–120,000 miles | $700–$1,800 | common |
| fuel system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| air bags | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter changes
- brake inspections and replacements
- battery checks and replacements
- coolant system flush
- transmission fluid change
- tire rotations
- spark plug replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- engine misfire or stalling
- fuel odor near vehicle
- transmission slipping
- airbag warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.