1998 Dodge Caravan electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V139000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ..UPDATED 05/20/15 *BF UPDATED 11/19/15

NHTSA complaint #10703316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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).

NHTSA complaint #10672754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LOS ANGELES CBS AFFILIATE STATION AIRED A STORY ABOUT CHRYSLER VEHICLES YEAR 2007 TO 2012 THAT WERE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR A POTENTIAL RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY TIPM, ALSO KNOWN AS A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE OWNERS REPORT INSTRUMENT PANEL PROBLEMS, GAUGES NOT WORKING, AIRBAG NOT WORKING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATING WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE, AND SO ON. I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH MANY OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS/SYMPTOMS. I SPENT $212 ON INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS FEES. PEP BOYS TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND IT WOULD TAKE A PROHIBITIVELY HIGH PRICE TO REPLACE. MY VEHICLE HAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THE ONES DESCRIBED ABOVE: FUEL GAUGE NOT CONSISTENTLY SHOWING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK; THE AIRBAG AND HORN NOT WORKING; THE WIPERS OCCASIONALLY OPERATE WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON; THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING LOCKED & UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY; THE HEATER OPERATES WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, AND SO ON. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS INFORMATION CAN BE USED SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR COMPARED IN INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY OTHER CHRYSLER OWNERS. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS A DURABLE PART, IT SHOULD OPERATE WELL FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY INVESTIGATION GOING ON WHICH MAY LEAD TO A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

NHTSA complaint #10629002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #10619332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 98 DODGE CARAVAN IT HAS NO DASH LIGHTS PARKING LIGHTS OR HORN. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE.

NHTSA complaint #10575055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING A SPEED OF 0 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA complaint #10359129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF QUICKLY LIKE A FLICKER. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS IN AUG AND SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT FIVE TIMES. TWO TIMES THE CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START FOR A FEW MINUTES.

NHTSA complaint #10288825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLAT LINES IN OTHER WORDS SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE AND TEMP GAUGE ALL DROP TO ZERO. IT MIGHT RETURN AT ANY TIME MOST OFTEN AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10285846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ARE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10285658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL KEEPS GOING DEAD, NO GAUGE READINGS AT ALL. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAS,TEMP, SPEEDOMETER,MILEAGE AND GEAR LIGHTS DON'T WORK, THEY JUST GO OUT. SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR SPEED IS WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WE HAVE CHECKED ALL THE CONNECTIONS. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN CARAVANS AND OTHER MODELS THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH NO NOTICE AT ALL. I LOVE MY CARAVAN WHAT I DON'T LOVE IS ALL THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH IT. YEAH, IT MIGHT BE 10 YEARS OLD BUT I HAVE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 5 MONTHS AND IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THESE THINGS WERE KNOWN TO HAPPEN TO THE CARAVANS I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT.

NHTSA complaint #10230878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

DASHBOARD DISPLAY INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10195654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

98 DODGE CARAVAN, PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP: SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. I WAS INFORMED BY AN OLDER MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON TO ALL DODGES WITH SECURITY SYSTEMS BUILT SINCE 91. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAVE THEY NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AT THE SOURCE? I TOOK MY VAN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SOME MINOR BODYWORK, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, IT WOULD NOT START. THEY TORE IT APART FOR TWO DAYS AND BASICALLY SAID, "GOSH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG." I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED (15 MINUTES TO 5 HOURS) ABOUT 15 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IN MY JOB I TRANSPORT DISABLED CLIENTS SO THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10177023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN THAT THE GAUGES DO NOT REGISTER OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, THE LIGHTS, HORN, TURN SIGNALS AND ACCESSORIES STILL WORK, ON THE CAUTION PANEL THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, THE DODGE DEALER(OZARK, ALABAMA) HAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE COMPUTER, AND ELECTRICAL BLOCK UNDER THE HOOD IT WORKS FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS THEN GO DEAD AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10160076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO OPERATE . HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY SAID THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10145711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 -

NHTSA complaint #10140090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10138130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MILEAGE AND THE GASOLINE INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING SO ONE CANNOT SEE IF VEHICLE IS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10135442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HORN WON'T BLOW. THIS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, AND ALMOST CAUSED HIM TO HIT ONE PERSON. HE HAS HAD THE HORN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10123678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO CRANK THE VEHICLE IT MADE A SQUEAKING/GRINDING NOISE. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY ON ITS OWN AFTER SMOKE STOPPED BILLOWING. VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10103085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CASE IS ABOUT WHAT THE CALL THE " CLOCKSPRING" I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT THIS, I THINK DODGE SHOULD LOOK AT THIS LIVES COULD BE LOST. BECAUSE OF THIS.......

NHTSA complaint #10073250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE PLACING KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10074393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.