Overview & Reviews
Available this year is a 3.8-liter V6 that puts out 180 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque. And for convenience, Caravans come with rear-seat mounted grocery bag hooks, and driver's-side easy-entry Quad seating. All Chrysler products are equipped with "Next Generation" depowered airbags.
- Less than stellar reliability history.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 54.00-
one of the reasons Chrysler is going bye - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By pedro - May 12 - 3:56 pmMy wife bought this thing,even though I objected. I wanted her to get an Odyssey. but she told me "Im paying for it I pick" Good thing she used better judgment when picking a husband. This thing gets broken, fixed, and then breaks again. Its not the mechanics fault cause he also works on my accord and that one stays fixed. This thing is made to be have a usable life of 4 years and thats it. Junk it or sell it to your worst enemy. Biggest piece of crap you could buy. You wonder how American car makers got the reputation they got.This is a prime example.
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Some problems - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By ctj101502 - November 17 - 5:08 pmSteering column has gone out. Air conditioner is bad after 90,000 miles. Had it fixed and it happened again at around 170,000 miles. Need new transmission at 194,000 miles. Seat belts in front do not work. If you suddenly stop or yank on them quickly they let you just go. I pray we never get into an accident. Very little went wrong in the beginning, just minor issues. But at this high mileage I am thankful it still runs!
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Nice car, but needs a little work. - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By Tony - November 2 - 11:30 pmMe and my family bought a brand new 1998 Caravan with 5 miles on it, and we liked it, for a little while. Head gasket failed at 16,000 miles, had many porblems with A/C, and after replacing every component, me and the dealer got to the point that it just needed an adjusted belt after every winter. after a few more parts replaced, the trans tore apart at 73,000 miles, just slipped into the warrenty. then recently, the car needed 2 rigorus mainance jobs, because the engine would hesesitate, nearly stall, backfire, shake, jiggle, and then the power steering was leaking, and oil is slightly leaking. I regret ever buying this car, and I wished that I just got a Ford Taurus.
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Problems! - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By Piewicket - April 9 - 5:36 pmPurchased from dealer used and they replaced the computer before we bought it. Should have stopped there. A complete lemon. 50k tortioner for serpentine broke (not covered under extened warranty). after throwing and wearing out many serpentine belts, 70k transmission froze up 6 mo before warranty expired. Cost us $100 for deductible on bumper2bumper warranty, and now just replaced rear seal at over $500. My 1967 Beetle has less problems than this one.
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Never should have left the plant - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By Bubba in SF - July 11 - 2:00 amThis is the worse vehicle I have ever owned.At 38000 mi.the valve cover gaskets went. At 78000, the front seals went. At 93000 m. the head gaskets, rear seals and water pump went. The tranny went at 97000. My vehicle before this was an 88 Jeep Cherokee that had over heating problems. I would never consider a Chrysler product ever again. We had to buy a Camry while we wait for a tranny so we can sell this lemon.
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Watch out for head gasket repair - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By bdenis - February 10 - 2:00 amMany issues with the enginer. The head gasket required replacement within 3 years. Also, the oil pan and main rear seal need to be replaced after 5 years/85k miles.
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junk (non recycle) - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By bann - January 9 - 2:00 amvehicle has 71,000 km. Repairs to date blown head gasket (3.3 L engine). Blown transmission (4 speed OD). Air conditioning pump blown. Emergency brake broken. These repairs cost thousands of dollars, can anybody do anything about these transmissions ??? seems they Just keep pumping out the same junk parts for suckers like me.
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done with dodge - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By nlpa - August 7 - 2:00 amPurchesed this vehicle because the deal was good. It was OK for the first 40k miles. The exhaust did not leave a month after the warranty expired. The main computer was replaced for ~$1,000 at 40k miles. The head gusket got broken at 45k miles causing damage to cylinders. The trade-in value at 45k miles was a couple hundred $$. Ended up donating this junk to charity. will never think Dodge again
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dont get this - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By nikkihamby - December 6 - 2:00 amI have just a regular caravan. Last year at 50,000 miles it started leaking oil, ended up 1500.00 later and after taking it back and forth with the dealer over 5 times it has started to leak oil again. On top of that had to replace cam shaft pulley pin when the engine made a horrible noise--that is broke again as well. I am a woman who doesnt drive cars to death but this car has been a nightmare. The dealer was even worse to deal with. I am fixing to trade it in and take a loss. Dont ever get this if you can possibly!!!
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Why Cant They Build It RIGHT????? - 1998 Dodge Caravan
By LionelMan - August 24 - 2:00 amWell, Ive owned three of these: 86, 92, and 98 and now Im done with Chrysler. The AC systems are junk, the electronics are flaky, and they make more wind noise than a pickup truck! The 3.0L is underpowered and isnt safe to drive in heavy traffic. Im buying a Honda Odessey next.
