RED House, WV
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT ON NO TURN SIGNALS AND NO REVERSE LIGHTS DUE TO FAILED AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING
NHTSA complaint #11196029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1998 Dodge Caravan airbag problems
100 of the 840 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Caravan are about the airbag system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 85,450 miles.
100
Complaints
23
Crashes
0
Fires
16
Injuries
Exactly what failed
AIR Bags
59
59.0%
Frontal
32
32.0%
Sensor/Control Module
7
7.0%
Side/Window
1
1.0%
On-Off Switch Assembly
1
1.0%
Airbags across every Dodge Caravan year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 135,000 miles
Zanesville, OH
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH NO PASSENGER WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD LACERATION ABOVE THE RIGHT EYE, A CONCUSSION, A BRUISED HEART AND LUNG, LEFT KNEE LACERATION, AND CHEST BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELTS. ALSO, BOTH WRISTS AND ELBOWS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11160520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,580 miles
Rochester, NY
AIR BAGS
THE INDICATOR LAMP AIR BAG IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. I DRIVE A VEHICLE ALL THE TIME, AND MY TRIP 50% HIGHWAY AND 50% CITY.
NHTSA complaint #11052123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 miles
Richwood, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10676972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
AIR BAGS
HORN STOPPED WORKING. HORN FUSE IS GOOD. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10426761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED A USED 1998 DODGE CARAVAN VAN AT WESTSIDE DODGE 1672 CASSAT AVE JACKSONVILLE FL 32210 AND WAS TOLD BY THE SALESMAN THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS SUPPOSE TO STAY LIT AND THE A/C LIGHTS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE BLINKING. WHEN I FOUND THE OWNERS MANUAL THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VAN I READ THAT THE`AIRBAG LIGHT IS SUPPOSE TO GO OFF IN 8 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED AND I ALSO READ THAT WHEN THE A/C LIGHTS ARE FLASHING THE A/C NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. I ADVISED THE SALESMAN AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I DID THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME $119.00 TO CHECK THE AIRBAG AND $49.95 TO CHECK THE AIRCONDITIONING. I REFUSED TO SIGN ANY CONSENT AND TRIED TO SPEAK WITH THE USED CAR SALES MANAGER AND WAS TOLD "WE ONLY SELL JUNK CARS TO THE PUBLIC AS A COURTESY", AND THAN HE HUNG UP ON ME. I ALSO FOUND ANOTHER COMPLAINT FROM ANOTHER CUSTOMER OF THIS DEALERSHIP WHO BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND HAD THE SAME EXACT AIR BAG PROBLEM AND TO THIS DATE IT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVED, I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS NO AIR CONDITIONING.
NHTSA complaint #10273745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 miles
Carbon Hill, AL
AIR BAGS
CLOCK SPRING WENT OUT WITH 113,000 ON VEHICLE. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO CHARGE IN ABOUT AN HOURS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10185210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 miles
Ambler, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER #02V293000, PERTAINING TO THE AIRBAG:FRONTAL, WAS RECEIVED AFTER HAVING THE PART REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE MANUFACTURER ONLY AGREED TO REIMBURSE FOR PARTS NOT LABOR. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL AS PROMISED IN THE RECALL LETTER RECEIVED. UPDATED 11/30/06.
NHTSA complaint #10172264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berwyn, IL
Crash
2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHERE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE IN JULY 2005, AND HORN WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY TOLD HER THEY WOULD SEND HER FILE OFF TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND SHE MAY HEAR FROM BACK FROM THEM, AND SHE MAY NOT. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10139497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elberton, GA
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: CONTACT STATED ON 3-20-05 ANOTHER VAN VEERED INTO CONTACT'S VEHICLE LANE AND HIT IT AND RAN IT INTO A CEMENT POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. CONTACT NOT YET TALKED TO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 8-8-05 REGARDING THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE AIR BAG. SHE DID NOT THINK THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. CONTACT OWNED THE CAR FOR 14 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10131969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henry, TN
Crash
3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: DURING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10120081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 miles
Loris, SC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: AIR CONDITIONING LIGHT IS BLINKING; ENGINE CHECK AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, NOTHING ON THE DASH (SPEEDOMETER ETC) DOES NOT WORK. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK; IT'S LIKE IT ALL WENT OUT AT ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #10120105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 miles
Ulysses, KY
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, GOING AROUND A CURB, THE BACK OF THE VAN SKIDDED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OVER A HILL, AND IMPACTING A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, ONLY PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED I FACIAL INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10110888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, CA
AIR BAGS
NHTSA RECALL 04V480000 ON THE AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING. AFTER HAVING THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10108671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
AIR BAGS
THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLY PROBLEMS. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. WHEN PRESSING THE HORN IT FAILED TO COME ON ITS OWN. ALSO, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SMOKE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF OUT. NO INJURIES REPORTED. HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HORN ASSEMBLY AND AIR BAGS WERE SEPARATED PROBLEMS, AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS OKAY. NO DETERMINATION ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS WAS MADE. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10099913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATED THAT DODGE WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS UNDER RECALL 04V480000. VEHICLE HAD OVER 70,000 MILES ON IT. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AS STATED FOR THE ONES WITH LESS THAN 70, 000 MILES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10099409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Novi, MI
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING. HOWEVER, WHEN HE ARRIVED HE WAS TOLD THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DAY BEFORE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS IN STOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10099031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 miles
Middlebourne, WV
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45-50 MPH IMPACT WITH A TRACKER TRAILER AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL AND BODY BRUISES. DRIVER DID NOT GO TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL UNTIL A WEEK OR TWO LATER. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10097491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Luis Obispo, CA
Crash
1 killed
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10096669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10094023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,341 miles
Enola, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, AIR BAG LIGHT</A> STAYED ON. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER PAID FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10092543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,616 miles
Lynbrook, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE THE DASH BOARD. *JB ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 02V-293000, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10089266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 miles
SAN Antonio, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. RECALL 02V950000 CONCERNING CLOCK SPRING FAILURE WAS ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10087424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 miles
Tucson, AZ
AIR BAGS
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10083679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, AL
AIR BAGS
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WOULD STALL WHEN STARTING UP, IT HAS A REOCCURING AIRBAG LIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL MISFUNCTIONING AND HORN STALLING ISSUES. I CURRENTLY HAD TO TAKE IT TO CHYRISTLER FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DODGE CARAVAN 1996-1998 RE:CLOCKSPRING. MY VEH. WAS NOT LISTED WITH THIS RECALL AND I'M CONCERNED THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE DODGE CARAVANS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAIN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING.
NHTSA complaint #10078963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,444 miles
Montgomery, AL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V293000 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE IN MOTION, ALSO, HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL GAVE OFF AN CONSENT ALARM SOUND WHEN ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10079795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 miles
Smyrna, GA
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HYDRO-PLANED,STRUCK THE MEDIUM, WENT OVER 5 LANES AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING A SORE NECK AND BURIES. *NM THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT ON THE DASH ALWAYS INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE ENABLED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10074366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, CO
AIR BAGS
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN BECAME DISABLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10073708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whiting, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE 2 CHRYSLER MINI VANS ONE 1997 & 1998. WE RECEIVIED A RECALL REGARDING DEFECTS WHICH RELATED TO MOTOR SAFETY RECALL IN SOME 1996 THROUGH 1998 MINIVANS. SINCE MY 1998 WAS EXPERIENCING THE DEFECT LISTED FAILED CLOCKSPRING ALLOWING AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED AND SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE WE TOOK THE VAN TO A NEARBY CHRYSLER DEAR TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO FIND OUT OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT THE ONE LISTED TO BE RECALLED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHEN THE RECALL STATES SOME 1996 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEAR MINIVAN'S HOW DO THEY DETERMINE WHICH VIN NUMBER TO BE RECALLED. MY 1997 WAS THE VIN NUMBER TO BE RECALLED HOWEVER MY 1998 VAN IS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL PROBLEM. MY 1998 VAN ALSO HAS 78,000 MILES THE RECALL STATES IF MIMIVAN HAS 70,000 OR LESS CLOCKSPRING WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE EVEN IF IT APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MY 1998 IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM STATES MY AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. ARBITARY MILAGE AND VIN NUMBER DECEISIONS BY THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO HAVE DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATING PARTS IN THEIR VIEHICALS.
NHTSA complaint #10068516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 miles
PAW PAW, IL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT RENDERED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE. RECALL 02V290000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE AIR BAG, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10067195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.