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

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  My 1st 98 was better than the 2nd 98 YES I bought a 2nd one for my dogs and this one east money like a pig. - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By pianomann - June 23 - 5:34 am

  I have been pumping $300-500 a month in repairs and replacement parts since Christmas Eve 2010,,,it has 98 800 it us going to get paid off in 1 lump hopefully and it is going to another Charity supporter I have HAD IT with Chrysler and wouldnt take another 1 if it was FREE !!

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  Night mare - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By MA - March 31 - 5:41 am

  This is the worst I could have ever owned. I have tried my best to spread the word to my friends about not to buy Dodge caravan or their products. Bought it used, computer went out, Dealer did not know the problem, so he replaced fuel pump, car wont start again, then they replaced computer, total cost about 1500$, then starter, then key console, then brakes, then power windows died, other than those, tiny problems like brake light, wiper not operating keep cropping up.Interior is cheap, absolutely scary to go out on highway due to reliability. Beware of the computer. It acts weird on my van.

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  Dodge Caravan 10 Year Owner Ratings - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Familyman - April 5 - 6:53 am

  Overall, I am disappointed with the vehicle. I spend a lot of money the first 4-5 years repairing problems - what a piece of junk. While the car settled down in terms of repair after that, the repairs are again spiking as the mileage builds beyond the 200K mark brakes, trans (again and again...), radiator, heater core, brakes again, cat. converter). While there are some good design features, mechanically the car is a design failure (my personal opinion).

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  Lots of trouble - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By K. Sedler - February 17 - 10:33 pm

  We have had a considerable amount of trouble with the serpentine belt and idlyer pulley system. Dodge has released a technical service bulletin about this issue but nothing further. We have replaced the belts and system at least 3 times. We have also had other mechanical problems including having to rebuild the transmission after only 89,000 miles.

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  Lemon with no value - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By huskerlew - November 28 - 11:32 pm

  At 65,000 miles, head gasket blew. Trade in value is very minimal. Reliability and resale are two most important items and this lemon fails in both categories. One would have to ask themselves why they would even consider a 2005 model. When I purchased, my expectations were to exceed 100K without a major repair. Looks like I was led astray.

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  Love Hate Relationship - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Newman - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the cheapest model I could get (4 cylinder) turned out not to be so inexpensive. Have loved the utility, design, looks, comfort, handling, sharp turning of the vehicle. It has been the worst car I have had for reliability on my third transmission, second ac system has now died, need a third water pump, etc. The fuel economy is also suprisingly poor for a 4 cylinder engine (average about 19 mpg).

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  Done with Dodge/Chrysler - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By done with dodge - July 17 - 2:00 am

  At around 22K the trouble started. Front brakes went out, front disk rotor?s were pitted (I believe because of poor quality from supplier),at around 39K, BRAKES WENT BAD AGAIN! Same issue bad disk brakes had to replace new rotors and brakes again. We also had problems with valve cover gaskets, which caused a major oil leak. TIGHTING UP bolts on covers DOES NOTHING! As they end up loosing up every 10 to 12 thousand miles or so. Transmission just went out yesterday at 58K miles. As luck would have it, at the start of a vacation trip, THANK?S DODGE!!!!!!!!!! Good bye Dodge, hello Honda or Toyota.

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  Buy a Mercury Villager - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Chris P - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this van because we got a good deal on it. Its turned out to be the worst vehical anyone in the family has ever owned. Handeling and cornering is very poor compared to the Ford Aerostar and Mercury Villager. At 55-60k miles we have replaced the following on our 1998 Caraven Sport Transmission and differential - $2200 2 Axels, both rear brake calipers, differential again, transmission sensor. Car left us stranded in PA with a "loose battery cable"...Funny we tightend all those when trying to get it to start. Not to mention the passenger sliding door is falling apart, interior panel is falling off, held on with one screw, rest is snaps.

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  Could be better but... - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Texas Mama - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Thought I would offer my experience...For the first 2 years we had no trouble, just regular maintenance. When we hit 45K the trouble started. We had a leak in the radiator core which cause the floor to rot, found out from the dealer it was a common problem - would have been nice to know. We also had problems with gaskets, which caused a major oil leak. Transmission went at 70K, Air conditioning at 79K. Brakes have always been loose. Had a problem with tires as well – once they were replaced, they have been OK

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  Caravan A Lemon? - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Cartman - April 10 - 2:00 am

  AC went out $700 to fix. Steering wheel electronics went out $400 to fix Blown headgasket $700 to fix. Im selling this van soon.