1998 Dodge Caravan — 2.4L L4

The 1998 Dodge Caravan sits in the descending phase of a generation that peaked sharply in 1996 at 1,647 complaints and 16 recalls, with elevated activity continuing through the late 1990s. Its 671 complaints, 14 recalls, and 7 investigations represent a clear drop from 1997's 787/15/7 and a steep retreat from 1996, while still sitting well above the early-decade lows of 333 complaints and 6 recalls in 1990. Recall volume remained in the mid-teens, indicating continued manufacturer attention to defects, and TSB counts stayed high at 120 (versus 137 in 1997 and 89 in 1996), suggesting the brand was actively documenting service issues even as consumer complaints receded. The top complaint clusters—Engine & Engine Cooling (111), Power Train (85), Air Bags (63), and Fuel System/Gasoline (34)—concentrate around powertrain and restraint concerns, with 48 crash-related and 27 fire-related complaints logged for the year, though the data does not specify root causes behind these categories. Taken together, 1998 is a transitional, middling year: the trend line is improving, but it still carries meaningful recall and powertrain burden, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on cooling system health, transmission behavior, and verification that all 14 recalls were completed is advisable before buying.