Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 138 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 138, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A PUDDLE, THE SERPENTINE TIME BELT DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INACCURATE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOUR TIMES TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
DRIVING DURING HEAVY RAIN/SNOW OR GOING THROUGH STANDING WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF OF THE PULLEYS. THIS LEADS TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND ENGINE COOLING. MILEAGE AND DATE ARE APPROXIMATE. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 470,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD DETACH ITSELF FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM OF THE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 98 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS BREAKING. WHEN IT DOES, I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR DECEMBER 17, 2009 AND HAVE HAD THE BELT BREAK 4 TIMES SINCE THEN, CAUSING ME NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ALONG THE HIGHWAY WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. *TR
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 98 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS BREAKING. WHEN IT DOES, I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR DECEMBER 17, 2009 AND HAVE HAD THE BELT BREAK 4 TIMES SINCE THEN, CAUSING ME NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ALONG THE HIGHWAY WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. *TR
I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN FROM FALLS CHURCH MOTORS FALLS CHURCH VA AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF DRIVING I STARTED TO NOTICE AND FEEL A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS FRONT TIRE A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD A FLAT WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IT TOOK ME AND TWO OTHER MEN TO LOOSEN THE LUGS ON THE TIRE TO GET OF THE TIRE THE JACK WHILE THE VAN IN THE AIR BENT AND THE VAN FELL TO THE SIDE I PULLED ONE OF THE MEN AWAY FROM THE VAN AS I SAW IT FALLING TOWARD US WE GOT ANOTHER JACK AND GOT THE VAN BACK UP IN THE AIR AND PUT THE DONUT ON I THAN A SHORT TIME LATER GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE DONUT FLEW OFF THE VAN IF IT WERE IN TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND OTHER ON THE HIGHWAY A COUPLE OF MONTH LATER THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND THE WATER PUMP I THOUGHT THE VAN WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM FALLS CHURCH MOTORS I LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT THEY I THOUGHT FIXED THE TIMING BELT IT HAS BEEN RUNNING ROUGH EVER SINCE THE VAN NOW WHILE RUNNING THE MOTOR TURNS OFF WHILE ANY SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THEY SAID TO ME IN THE RECENT PAST AFTER I THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT . IT'S NOT GOING TO RUN LIKE NEW I FEEL THIS DEALER SHIP DID SELL ME A DEFECTIVE VAN AND UNSAFE PARTS ON THE VEHICLES AND SOME OTHER VEHICLES THEY ARE SELLING MAYBE ENDANGERING OTHER PEOPLES LIFE I MET ONE MAN AT A GAS STATION HE SAID HE HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY AND IT SLIPPING AFTER HE BOUGHT IT. *TR
THE SERPENTINE BELT POPPED OFF MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, IT IS 02/10/10 -- THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE ON THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD IN DECEMBER. THIS LEADS TO AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING THE WORST POSSIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN DECEMBER, TWO MECHANICS AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP BOTH IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN ICE OR SNOW GETS UP UNDER THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. LOSS OF CRITICAL STEERING CAPABILITY DURING THE WORST POSSIBLE DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
DEFECTIVE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLT BROKEN INSIDE HOUSING. 1998 DODGE CARAVAN SE, 121000 MILES. *TR
SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF OF ACCESSORY PULLEYS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, POSSIBLY AT ANY SPEED. WET WEATHER IS A CONSTANT CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, ALTHOUGH IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS DEFECT TO OCCUR. *TR
MY DAUGHTER'S VAN WITH 2 KIDS INSIDE. (1) NO CAUSE. FOUR FAILURES OF SAME PARTS. BELT AND RELATED PULLEYS. DEALER(S) CAN'T REPAIR PROPERLY. (NUMEROUS SIMILAR PROBLEMS NOTED ON THE NET.) (2)REPEATED SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE - 98 DODGE CARAVAN, 3.0L ENGINE. CAUSES INSTANT POWER STEERING LOSS, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND MORE. COULD EASILY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL, INJURY OR DEATH. (3) PARTS REPLACES 4 TIMES. NOT FIXED, BELTS STILL SQUEAL AND WILL COME OFF AGAIN.(JUST FOUND OUT AFTERMARKET GOODYEAR AND GATES KITS ARE AVAILABLE WITH REDESIGNED PULLEYS AND BELT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DEALER MENTIONED NOTHING ABOUT THEM) IF ONLY SOME OF WHAT I HAVE READ IS CORRECT, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY-RELATED RECALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE DRIVER FELT HEAT UNDERNEATH HER FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND LABELED AS DESTROYED. THE FUEL PUMP AND RADIATOR WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN 20 TIMES. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 153,242 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT HAS CHANGED THE VEHICLE'S SERPENTINE BELT EIGHT TIMES. THE BELT HAS EITHER DETACHED, SHREDDED, OR BECOME WORN WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE'S PULLEYS AND BELT ACCESSORIES HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. SHE BELIEVES THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW DUE TO THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. SHE ALSO FEELS THAT THE FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONCE THE BELT DETACHES, THE ALTERNATOR BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,351. UPDATED 06/08/07.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH CONTROLED THE ENGINE BECAME DETACHED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE BELT FAILED WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH. THE BELT DETACHED ONCE DURING RAINY CONDITIONS , AND SEVERAL TIMES DURING FAVORABLE CONDITIONS. WHEN THE BELT DETACHED THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,811. *AK
SUBJECT: DEFECTIVE SERPENTINE BELT DESIGN I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT A RECENT MALFUNCTIONING SERPENTINE BELT IN MY 1998 CARAVAN. THE BELT HAS SLIPPED OFF TWICE LAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE FIRST INCIDENT LEFT ME STRANDED OFF THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT ON DAMP PAYMENT (NO STANDING WATER) WHILE AT A REST STOP MANY MILES FROM HOME. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON NORMAL PAVEMENT AND DRIVING DURING RAINY DAYS, AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VAN HAS THE STANDARD 3.0 LITER V6 ENGINE WITH 88K MILES, BUT THE SERPENTINE BELT INSTALLED WAS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD. TWO SETS OF PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS FOUND THE BELT, THE BELT TENSIONER, AND ALL RELATED PARTS OF THE SYSTEM IN GOOD WORKING ORDER (INCLUDING THE ENGINE MOUNTS). IN SUMMARY, THE SYSTEM WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE CONCERN WE HAVE IS THE DESIGN OF THIS SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE DURING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. BUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS GREATLY DISTRESSING. NOT ONLY IS THE RANGE OF THE VEHICLE LIMITED TO A COUPLE OF MILES WITH A STRONG BATTERY, THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING MAKES THIS BOTH A SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. *NM
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT 8 TIMES SINCE 05/06. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS ON 01/25/07. WHILE MAKING A 10 MPH TURN THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOWED VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TIGHTENED THE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT COMING LOOSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD'T FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAPPENED ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 - *NM
MY 98 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT IS HAVING REPEATED PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FROM A QUICK SEARCH ON THE WEB IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, THAT THE BELT WOULD SLIP OFF WHEN IT GETS WET. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES SO FAR, TWICE IN JAN 2006 AND ANOTHER ONE JUST TODAY (NOV 06). I CANNOT TRUST THE VAN ANYMORE, I CANNOT TELL WHEN THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND WHEN IT DOES, THE VAN LOST POWER STEERING AND WOULD OVERHEAT. LOST OF POWER STEERING CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING ON A FREEWAY, AND BEING EASILY OVERHEAT WOULD LEAVE ME STRANDED AT POSSIBLY ISOLATED PLACES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT TAKES REPEATED FIXING YET WOULD NOT RESOLVE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN WET CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED AND SLIPPED OFF. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. SERPENTINE BELT FAILED FIVE TIMES. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS THE CHARGING OF THE BATTERY. THIS ONLY HAPPENED IN WET OR RAINY CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO SAID THEY COULD AGAIN REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN IN WET CONDITIONS OR RAINY WEATHER. THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE. THE LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT ALSO. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HIS SERPENTINE BELT. HE STATES THAT THE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF OF THE PULLEYS CAUSING HIS VAN TO OVER HEAT AND LOOSE STEERING. *TT
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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