Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 0801001 | 05/25/2001 | 620059 | Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty. *tt | 07/10/2001 | |
| 0800600REV | 12/29/2000 | 080600 | 618049 | Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb | 04/03/2001 |
| 084097 | 12/12/1997 | 6088847 | Information on body control module auto headlamp sensor/signal circuit diagnostic trouble code (dtc). *nlm | 01/10/2000 | |
| 083997 | 11/28/1997 | 6088845 | Vehicle may experience remote keyless entry transmitter batteries discharge prematurely. *nlm | 01/10/2000 | |
| 084098 | 09/25/1998 | 602440 | Subject regarding body control module auto headlamp sensor/ signal circuit diagnostic trouble code (dtc). *yc | 11/04/1998 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 9814 | 03/18/1998 | 601253 | Condition with the software within the powertrain (pcm) may not operate the solid state relay for the radiator fan correctly. *yc | 07/14/1998 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||||
| 190699 | 09/17/1999 | 607958 | Information regarding the ignition switch housing service. *tt | 10/19/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| 080600 | 02/25/2000 | 609995 | This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt | 04/12/2000 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||
| EA01007 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 02/21/2001 | 11/22/2002 | AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING | 02V293000 | |
| There is no summary currently available | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 08/30/2009 | 105000 | 1 | |
| 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. *tr | |||
| 09/10/2009 | 85000 | 1 | |
| 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. *tr | |||
| 06/12/2008 | 1 | ||
| 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. *tr | |||
| 10/18/2005 | 65400 | 4 | 12/23/1997 |
| 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. *nm | |||
| 11/26/2005 | 1 | 03/15/1998 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 06/01/2003 | 90000 | 15 | 05/30/1998 |
| 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 - *nm | |||
| 01/10/1999 | 30000 | 3 | 01/05/1999 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| 08/29/2005 | 66700 | 1 | 09/01/2003 |
| 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 *jb | |||
| 01/20/2004 | 1 | ||
| Dodge caravan 1998, problems associated with door fire in van. *bf *jb | |||
| 04/26/2004 | |||
| 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....... | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 8 | 08/01/1998 | |
| Consumer states left front side of vehicle appears to be lower than the right and the brakes wear down only on the front left side, vehicle skidded when brakes were being applied which caused an accident consumer was advised front caliper, rotor and brake pads were needed because they were worn, dealership advised consumer they could not explain why vehicle was skidding, consumer is having to replace the rotor, caliper and brake only on front side every 8000 miles, consumer was advised by delearship that this type of vehicle is known to have problems with the brakes and would probably have to be replaced every six months. *jb key would not turn in ignition, dealer attempted to remove cylinder and it broke, dealer replaced. tape dragged in the tape player, dealer replaced. at times when starting vehicle, there is no radio, lights, or horn, dealer could not find any problems. serpentine belt was replaced. slight fluid leak from transmission cooler line,consumer states transmission jerked. arm rest fastner backed off. left front brakes continue to wear and pull vehicle, brakes lock up causing vehicle to skid. *slc | |||
| 12/23/1996 | 1 | 10/01/1997 | |
| Total electrical system failure, causing accident/injuries. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 07/11/2003 | 91929 | 2 | 08/15/2000 |
| On my wife's 1998 dodge caravan, the idler serpentine belt tensioner arm completely broke off causing alot of noise under the hood, loss of power steering, and loss of alternator battery recharge. it also caused some damage to the other pulleys. i've owned many cars and this has never happened on other makes. this is a safety hazard that can leave anybody in the middle of no where.*ak | |||
| 11/11/2002 | 08/01/2098 | ||
| I only have 35,000 miles on this car and of course the warranty is expired. and all of a sudden, the car acts like it has 135,000 miles on it. this has already cost me over $200 to repair brakes because of rotors, not bad brakes. now i need $1000 head gasket work. starter only seems to start when it wants to. very temporamental. what is going on here that a 35,000 mile car would have so much wrong so soon. dt | |||
| 4 | |||
| Serpentine belt failed for the 4th time while driving. had heard a funny noise prior to no steering. this caused a loss of steering control. first 2 times was at 35mph. 2nd 2 times was while starting vehicle. been to dealer each time to have belt replaced.*ak power steering, water pum, alternator and air conditioner failed. *yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 06/01/1998 | 1 | 09/06/1997 | |
| Battery failed. *yc | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES | |||
| 1 | |||
| Unable to start the vehicle because the positive side of battery terminal could not be tightened. yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 11/30/2004 | 1 | ||
| 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.*ak | |||
| 06/25/2004 | 5 | ||
| 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. *ak | |||
| 02/02/2004 | 1 | ||
| Emergency brakes inoperable, airbag light turns on, horn does not work, hard time removing key from ignition and i can go from p to r or d without pressing on the brakes (even if there is no key in the ignition). *jb | |||
| 05/06/2003 | 78000 | 1 | |
| When starting the vehicle, keys have to be turned several times in the ignition before vehicle starts. cause unknown.*ak | |||
| 10/19/2002 | |||
| Vehicle was parked. consumer turned the keys in the ignition, a nd vehicle caught on fire. the fire came from under the hood. their were no problems or warnings prior to the fire. please provide more details. ts *dt | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 8 | 08/01/1998 | |
| Consumer states left front side of vehicle appears to be lower than the right and the brakes wear down only on the front left side, vehicle skidded when brakes were being applied which caused an accident consumer was advised front caliper, rotor and brake pads were needed because they were worn, dealership advised consumer they could not explain why vehicle was skidding, consumer is having to replace the rotor, caliper and brake only on front side every 8000 miles, consumer was advised by delearship that this type of vehicle is known to have problems with the brakes and would probably have to be replaced every six months. *jb key would not turn in ignition, dealer attempted to remove cylinder and it broke, dealer replaced. tape dragged in the tape player, dealer replaced. at times when starting vehicle, there is no radio, lights, or horn, dealer could not find any problems. serpentine belt was replaced. slight fluid leak from transmission cooler line,consumer states transmission jerked. arm rest fastner backed off. left front brakes continue to wear and pull vehicle, brakes lock up causing vehicle to skid. *slc | |||
| 11/16/2000 | 07/01/1998 | ||
| No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||
| 11/26/2006 | 15 | 02/15/1999 | |
| 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. *nm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 05/01/1998 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Computer system failed. yh | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 05/27/2004 | 1 | ||
| 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. *nm | |||
| 04/08/2004 | 1 | 04/04/2002 | |
| After starting my van, whether i have it in park, drive, neutral, or reverse, i am able to remove my key from the ignition. also, if i am turning my van off, and i accidentally turn it to auxillary, i am still able to remove my key from the ignition.*ak this isn't suppose to happen, is it? | |||
| 08/12/2002 | 1 | 05/11/1997 | |
| Consumer stated the ignition switch failed.*scc | |||
| 02/28/2002 | 0 | ||
| Consumer has been having problem with key not turning after it was put into ignition. she has to play with it for a long while.*ak | |||
| 10/29/1999 | |||
| While driving at 65 mph with cruise control set smoke was coming from under the vehicle due to transmission being replaced. when consumer stopped vehicle. it wouldn't start back up. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 03/13/2003 | 4 | ||
| 1998 dodge caravan: (1.)twice in the past two years flex plate between the engine and transmission has failed breaking in the center imitating the sound of a failing main bearing. under 100,000 miles. (2.) transmission failed 100,000 mi., (3.)wiring harness caught fire while engine running - destroyed harness. (sparks shooting out from beneath vehicle - fire extinguished before major damage @ 110,000 miles. ,000 mi. ( 4.) headlight lens plastic turned milky and inhibits proper light projection - difficult to see well at night even when lights are on bright. *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 1 | 06/01/1998 | ||
| Electronic computer failure. *yc | |||