1998 Dodge Caravan Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 1998 Dodge Caravan, 16% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 85,450 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (54% of reports).
- 99air bags complaints
- 85,450median miles at failure
- 23mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 53 of 99 complaints (54%)
- Clock spring: mentioned in 23 of 99 complaints (23%)
- Horn cruise: mentioned in 11 of 99 complaints (11%)
- Control inoperative: mentioned in 6 of 99 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 33 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 99 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 16 an injury.
Dodge Caravan air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Caravan | 3 | 13% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Caravan | 1 | 5% | 131,000 |
| 2013 Caravan | 2 | 7% | 1 |
| 2012 Caravan | 4 | 5% | 51,007 |
| 2011 Caravan | 3 | 4% | 52,069 |
| 2010 Caravan | 17 | 10% | 51,500 |
| 2009 Caravan | 26 | 22% | 85,000 |
| 2008 Caravan | 42 | 14% | 84,000 |
| 2007 Caravan | 8 | 10% | 88,002 |
| 2006 Caravan | 27 | 16% | 62,500 |
| 2005 Caravan | 49 | 9% | 62,609 |
| 2004 Caravan | 4 | 6% | 118,652 |
| 2003 Caravan | 14 | 7% | 64,000 |
| 2002 Caravan | 59 | 24% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Caravan | 43 | 17% | 56,000 |
| 2000 Caravan | 69 | 15% | 89,469 |
| 1999 Caravan | 119 | 21% | 89,000 |
| 1998 Caravan | 99 | 16% | 85,450 |
| 1997 Caravan | 152 | 21% | 95,356 |
| 1996 Caravan | 251 | 18% | 102,104 |
| 1995 Caravan | 67 | 14% | 79,807 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags
Problem: On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
Risk: This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it will replace the clockspring at no charge if it fails. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. The recall began on october 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Risk: This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. Owner notification began november 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Airbag light on no turn signals and no reverse lights due to failed airbag clockspring
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 indicator lamp air bag is on continuously. I drive a vehicle all the time, and my trip 50% highway and 50% city.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1998 Dodge Caravans have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 99 owner complaints about air bags for the 1998 Dodge Caravan (16% of the 629 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Dodge Caravan air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 85,450 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 1998 Dodge Caravan?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 53 of 99 complaints, followed by “clock spring” (23).
Other 1998 Dodge Caravan problems
See all 1998 Dodge Caravan problems or air bags problems across all Caravan years.