1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Airbags Problems

THE DRIVER'S HORN DOES NOT WORK AND HASN'T SINCE IT WAS TAKEN IN TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS DONE AS PER A RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA AND DAIMLERCHRYSTLER CORPORATION RELATING TO DRIVER'S AIRBAG BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. HE ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON THE VAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND WHEN I DISCOVERED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING AND SUBSCRIBING TO THE THE NHTSA RECALL ALERTS I DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT CLOCK SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AS WELL, BECAUSE IT WAS DONE SO SOON AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AND THEY WERE SORRY, BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT AGAIN. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM ORIGINALLY. EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR, THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO TOUCH IT BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH INVOLVED IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT COULD GO WRONG AND HE DIDN'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO DO IT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND HASN'T BEEN SINCE BEFORE AND AFTER I PURCHASED IT. MY CONCERN IS IF THE HORN DOESN'T WORK'THEN HOW CAN I BE SURE THE AIRBAG DOES. I'M STILL DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I CAN'T SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THIS CONDITION. IS THERE NO RECOURSE IF THE VEHICLE AS NOT REPAIRED AS PER THE NHTSA'S RECALL? THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 91054 MILES ON IT AS OF THIS DATE.

NHTSA ID

11321721

Incident

Oct 5, 2004

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..UPDATED 08/04/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS *JS *JS

NHTSA ID

11004775

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10780522

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP. I HIT TWO CARS AND THE MEDIAN. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED NUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAD MAJOR INJURIES INCLUDING BROKEN ANKLE, HAND, RIBS AND BREATHING. I SPENT 3 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712116

Incident

May 3, 2010

Mileage

195,000 mi

THERE ARE AT LEAST 4 RECALL ITEMS LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? IF YES, WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

NHTSA ID

10680587

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, ALONG WITH A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. AFTER AN HOUR, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, NOT THE CLOCKSPRING AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN TWO HOURS TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, PLUS THE REPAIR CHARGES. THE CONSUMER REFUSED THEIR OFFER. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT, WHERE THE MECHANIC'S FIRST REACTION WAS THE CLOCKSPRING. AN HOUR LATER, THE CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED AND ALL OF THE LOST FUNCTIONALITIES WERE RESTORED.

NHTSA ID

10492641

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

UPON THE VEHICLES IMPACT THE AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSING AN INJURY TO THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10437228

Incident

Nov 22, 2011

TL*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 *BF UPDATED 08/20/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10278099

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

Mileage

59,492 mi

THE CLOCK SPRING ON MY DODGE CARAVAN FAILED RENDERING THE AIR BAG, SPEED CONTROL AND HORN USELESS. IT REQUIRED $200 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE SPRING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10228738

Incident

May 5, 2008

Mileage

140,250 mi

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL STATED IF THE PROBLEM WASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED THEN, AND DID HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE TO TAKE IT TO GET IT FIXED FREE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD NO ABOUT GETTING REIMBURSED FOR REPAIR. KB THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10217190

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT 5 MPH. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT CAME OFF TRACK DURING THE CRASH. DUE TO THE SEAT POSITION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR CONTROL THE STEERING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.

NHTSA ID

10192742

Incident

Jun 4, 2007

Mileage

124,000 mi

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE HORN AND CRUISE DON'T WORK. THEY REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS THEN BUT I AM NOW. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161271

Incident

Jun 8, 2006

Mileage

85,000 mi

I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION. NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147102

Incident

Dec 31, 2005

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN. *MR THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FILLER NECK ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE. THE AIR BAG HAD NEVER DEPLOYED. IN 2002 THE CLOCK SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO HELP AGAINST THE CHARGE OF THE HORN REPAIR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10121555

Incident

May 1, 2005

THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED DURING A FRONT END COLLISION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG OVER INFLATED CAUSING MORE SEVER INJURIES THAN THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS WERE FOUND OVER-INFLATED WHEN THEY DEPLOYED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10111204

Incident

Mar 16, 2004

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE HORN NOT WORKING, AND THE BRAKE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO DEFECTS. RECALL 04V480000 FOR CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED, AND CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10097839

Incident

Jul 17, 2004

Mileage

97,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FIRST. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED.SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE VEHILCE BROKE, WHICH WAS THE FRAME. *AKI AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING THE CONSUMER HIT A CURB AFTERWHICH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TC

NHTSA ID

10099503

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED 4 DAYS BEFORE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THAT CHANGED FROM PAVEMENT TO GRAVEL, WHEN THE PAVEMENT ENDED, SHE STARTED TO FISH TAIL, SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH SENT HER INTO A SPIN TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10101585

Incident

Nov 9, 2004

WHILE PRESSING DOWN THE HORN A LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(WB663712D17) FOR THE CLOCK SPRING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS RECALL WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10099255

Incident

Nov 2, 2004

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A OFF CENTER FRONTAL COLLISION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AN IMPACT OF 30 MPH. THE TOP LATCHES ON THE INTERGRATED CHILD SEAT HAS OPEN ON IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WILL BE SENDING OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE INTERGRATED SEAT AND THE VEHICLE.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATRION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10097918

Incident

Apr 28, 2004

Mileage

63,000 mi

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, WHERE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A STOP. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE AIR BURNED THE CONSUMER ON THE ARM AND FACE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10097731

Incident

Sep 1, 2004

Mileage

71,915 mi

AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATED THAT BATTERY WAS CRUSHED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10097652

Incident

Jul 13, 2004

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD COLLISION. UPON IMPACT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10097567

Incident

Oct 23, 2004

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH. PROCEEDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED VERY BADLY CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO STATES THE AIR BAG CAUSED THE INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID

10092126

Incident

Mar 16, 2004

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 02V293000. ALSO, HORN WAS INOPERABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10092082

Incident

Jun 1, 2004