1998 Dodge Grand Caravan SE from North America - Comments

I bought my car used with approx 32K miles.

"Service engine soon" light started coming on around 50,000 miles... the rpm gauge would shoot up tor 4000 and it would stick into gear. Took it to dealer they said it was a relay switch and charged me $700.00. A month later same problem, took it back and they said I now had ANOTHER problem and wanted $1500 just to get inside the transmission! I'm up to 112k miles and the car still has the same problem off and on.. but it has never broken down on me! I know that when it happens, I have to stop, shut the engine off then restart it and everything works again until the next time (which could be 1 days to 2 months! go figure!)

Took it to an independent transmission shop and they noticed "strange codes" on my computer, but couldn't detect anything wrong during the test drive. The care was on good behavior that day!

Tires have to be replaced often. $400 every 1 1/2 years.

There's a terrible creaking sound under my driver's side passenger side sounds like the car is going to snap in half. No one can tell me why! It's not shocks, struts, etc.

At 70,000 miles clock spring went up... lost airbag, horn, cruise control. Luckily this was covered by the recall.

At 80,000 miles driver's side power window switches had to be replaced. Bought part from dealer for $100 and repaired it myself (EASY!)

Transmission leak at 90,000 miles - parts and service + diagnostic test cost $200.00.

Front driver's side wheel bearing had to be replaced at 95,000 miles - shop wanted $300 - bought the part at the local auto repair store only cost me $115 to do it myself. (EASY!)

The A/C Compressor sounds like it's going soon. Keeps making a squirting sound after I turn my car off.

This is the most comfortable vehicle I have every traveled in. And for that reason I love it. It really can be driven all day without any discomfort. Although the seats are a pain to take in and out, the van offers a lot of flexibility for traveling. (we can remove the 2 middle seats and use it as sleeping space)

Handles more like a car, then like a van! A definite plus!

Visibility is excellent all round through the large windows, with very few blind spots.

Somewhat of a gas guzzler.

While it's attractive and comfortable I don't want to EVER be plagued with so many mechanical problems again!

My overall experience with this car has prejudiced me against American made cars.

I also have the same year and make vehicle. We replaced the entire transmission (at our expense) less than 2,000 miles over warranty. We have also had to replace drivers side window controls. Now we are facing a new problem that seems to have everyone puzzled. Unable to drive vehicle without it stalling and shaking.

How many people have also had the same problems?

I have a 1998 Grand Caravan as well - The problem you are having with the car not moving out of gear and RPM shooting up is the same one I had. Turns out it was a combination of 2 things - Speed sensors and the pigtails associated with them. This problem started for us AFTER we had a new transmission put in (at a lousy 64,000 miles) Breaking in of the new tranny put metal deposits into the fluid which got to the sensors. We replaced the sensors, pigtails and flushed the transmission fluid -problem solved.

Having said that, this is the most disappointing car I have ever owned. Will NEVER buy another Dodge product.

The Grand Caravans/Town N Country/Voyagers and so on have had problems with the transmissions. but those problems can be gone with if you put in the CORRECT transmission fluid. I've had a friend with a Caravan and their transmission was beginning to make strange noises and shifting hard and so on. I told them that they are supposed to use the correct fluid and not that Dextron crap and so they changed the fluid to the correct type and the noises went away and the shifting became very easy. and also have u noticed all the problems with the Honda or Toyota? Japaneese vans aren't much better than a Kia.

Just reading your comments on these Dodge/Chrysler minivans. I live in the UK.. I am on my second Grand Voyager/Caravan..The first van I had for 3 years.1998 Chrysler grand Voyager 3.3 V6 Auto. It had 118,000 on the clock when bought..It did NOT have full chrysler service history and a couple of the stamps were missing.. we had a service carried out at local garage NO problems with ANYTHING.. I traded it in in March 06..It had 171,000 on the clock... still going STRONG.. I never experienced any problems with it... the ONLY gripe I had was that the "tumblers" in the Ignition barrel moved so that when I went to turn the ignition it would not turn.. solution was to tap it with a hammer to "knock" tumblers back in to place... My new van is a 2001 Chrysler Grand VoyagerLimited 3.3 V6 Auto (toen&Country spec).This car HAS FULL CHRYSLER SERVICE HISTORY with it!!.The car had 60,925..when I got it.. back at the start of June'06..I went and got it fully serviced from the chrysler garage.. It also needed new brakes.. Then the electric motor on the front pasanger window broke.. luckly I had purchased a years cover from the trade centre... I have spent approxx £1600 on this car in under 3/4 months..This includes a YEARS UK road tax. 2 new front tires a UK MOT Test(you need these every year in the UK otherwise you cant drive your car)!! This is a joke.. plus it has 170BHP compared to the 150BHP in my old van..which i did not realise at the time(pushed my insurance up by a group 15 to 16..Massive hike in price... I am really contemplating on selling it ASAP... I can't afford to run it...The car now has 67,000 on it...I think I'm going to sell it so I can PAY BACK MY CREDIT CARDS for which I have spent a SHED load of money on...I wish I had kept my '98 voyager and had paid for a full service, ignition repairs etc...than to waste all this money on this newer van..ok it looks STUNNING which I would rather drive an American Car they have such style..and here in the UK you really get the looks...i am looking at purchasing a NEW DODGE CALIBER...They have just come out in the UK...but I would NOT slate the US cars.....and I moved back from canada 5 years ago..So I do know a bit about these US cars....

My 1999 Caravan is the best car I have ever owned!!! It just keeps on going no problems; 112,000 miles. I hate to get rid of it but want a new one. And yes another Caravan. Everyone who ever rode in it can't believe it's a VAN!!!