Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 48 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS, THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN 2012, WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED, I HAD TO PUT MY VEHICLE INTO GEAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONLY GOING 5 MPH OR LESS, I WAS ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE. THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT NOR ANY DAMAGE, SO I DON'T HAVE THAT TO REPORT. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO TOWBIN DODGE IN HENDERSON, NV THAT WEEKEND I BELIEVE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DEFECT HAD BEEN FIXED. HOWEVER, THE HORN, AIRBAG LIGHT AND ABS STILL DO NOT WORK. MY VIN #[XXX], MY QUESTION IS THIS. IF THE RECALL PROBLEM IS STILL DEFECTIVE EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN REPAIRED, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 130,000 FAILURE MILEAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING MAKE A STOP THE CONTACT PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE ROLL TO A STOP. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE INTERRUPTER VALVE ON THE VEHICLE.
TL*- CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND SAID THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT LEAKED AND IT CAUSED BRAKE FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56400, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56500.*AK
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND APPEARED READY TO FAIL. THE CONTACT DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY MORE INFORMATION. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 56,234.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATE THAT 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WAS HAVING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH STARTING AND STOPPING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE VEHICLE ONLY DID THIS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT REACH THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED. THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND BRAKES FAILED , RESULTING IN A CRASH.*AK...HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER PAID $160.OO TO REPLACE BRAKES. *AK *SB
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. IT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND H WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 03E450000, 03E530000, AND 00V268000. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL ABS LIGHT COMMENCED TO ILLUMINATE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULAR UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKIDDED INTO EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED TWICE. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
BRAKE LINE ERUPTED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *AK
EMERGENCY BRAKES INOPERABLE, AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK, HARD TIME REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AND I CAN GO FROM "P" TO "R" OR "D" WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES (EVEN IF THERE IS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION). *JB
TRANSMISSION ------------ SUDDEN FAILURE OF ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS. KEY OFF-ON BRINGS BACK FORWARD DRIVE FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS THEN FAILS AGAIN. NO REVERSE GEAR AT ALL. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC INDICATES 3 TRANSMISSION ERRORS RELATED TO SHIFTING. SENSORS LOOK OK. SHOP HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. BRAKES ------ EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. MUST BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR NOW. FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT DESTROYED ONE BRAKE ROTOR -- HAD TO REPLACE THAT. NOW, AT THE FIRST SIGN OF BRAKE SQUEAL I MUST CHECK AND REPLACE THE PADS AS THEY ARE CLOSE TO WEARING OUT. GENERALLY GET LESS THAN 15,000 MILES PER SET.
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE FAILED. THE DRIVER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. *NLM PH *JB
1998 DODGE CARAVAN: (1.)TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS "FLEX PLATE" BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED BREAKING IN THE CENTER IMITATING THE SOUND OF A FAILING MAIN BEARING. UNDER 100,000 MILES. (2.) TRANSMISSION FAILED 100,000 MI., (3.)WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ENGINE RUNNING - DESTROYED HARNESS. (SPARKS SHOOTING OUT FROM BENEATH VEHICLE - FIRE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE MAJOR DAMAGE @ 110,000 MILES. ,000 MI. ( 4.) HEADLIGHT LENS PLASTIC TURNED MILKY AND INHIBITS PROPER LIGHT PROJECTION - DIFFICULT TO SEE WELL AT NIGHT EVEN WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON BRIGHT. *NLM
I HAVE TO CHANGE MY FRONT BRAKE PADS ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH DUE TO THE BRAKES GET TO HOT AND USUALLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PAD JUST FALLS OFF WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN THIS PROBLEM IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN I GOT MY VAN BACK IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS, AND THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS COSTING A FORTUNE TO KEEP UP THE BRAKE PAD MAINTENANCE. I CONSIDER THE BRAKES ON A VEHICLE A LIFELINE AND AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. EVERY PERSON I KNOW THAT OWNS A DODGE CARAVAN HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT. I BOUGHT MY VAN 01/01/00. *NLM
I ONLY HAVE 35,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HAS ALREADY COST ME OVER $200 TO REPAIR BRAKES BECAUSE OF ROTORS, NOT BAD BRAKES. NOW I NEED $1000 HEAD GASKET WORK. STARTER ONLY SEEMS TO START WHEN IT WANTS TO. VERY TEMPORAMENTAL. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE THAT A 35,000 MILE CAR WOULD HAVE SO MUCH WRONG SO SOON. DT
WHEN ON A EXIT RAMP GOING DOWNHILL, BRAKE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO FLOOR, NO SLOWING. CAR TOTALED TRYING TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING GUARD RAIL AND DUMP TRUCK. SAFETY CHECK BY AUTO SHOP SAID FAILED MASTER CYCLINDER. TWO OTHER DRIVERS DROVE CAR THAT DAY WITHOUT NOTICING ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. NO FORWARNING SUCH AS SQUEAKY OR GRATING SOUND ON BRAKING OR SQUISHY BRAKING BEFORE. SINCE THEN HAVE HEARD OF TWO OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS WITH FAILED MASTER CYCLINDER WITHOUT ANY FORWARNING. VERY DANGEROUS. *AK
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT CATCH. IT HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW FOOT PEDAL.
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INDICATED EXTERNAL CYLINDER GASKET WAS GONE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VAN HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, POWER STEERING LOSS, BACK WHEELS ON FIRE, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ENGINE WOULD SEIZE AND STOP. *YH
AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, WHO HANDLES THE FLEET FOR A STATE AGENCY, I UNHAPPY THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FROM THE MANUFACTURED AS RECALLS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPEN AROUND 35,000 MILES OR IF THE VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE PARKED FOR ANYTIME OVER TWO WEEKS. *AK
EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT STAY ENGAGED, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ENGAGED IT WOULD BACK ITSELF OFF OR DISENGAGE COMPLETELY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY BROKE AND WAS REPLACED. *YH
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMELLED SMOKE. THEN, DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM EDGE OF HOOD, HE PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. DEALER DETERMINED ABS SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. DAMAGE UNKNOWN. *AK *YH
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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