Air Bag Light On problems of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. Consumer writes in regards to unsatisfactory service on vehicle. The consumer stated a few weeks ago, the air bag light illuminated, and the horn and cruise control stopped working, the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, along with a copy of the safety recall letter regarding problems with the clockspring. After an hour, the dealership informed the consumer the problem was with the electrical system, not the clockspring and that it would take more than two hours to troubleshoot the electrical problem, and there would be a charge to diagnose the problem, plus the repair charges. The consumer refused their offer. A few days later, the consumer took the vehicle to another establishment, where the mechanic's first reaction was the clockspring. An hour later, the clockspring was replaced and all of the lost functionalities were restored.

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the brake line failed and was repaired by the dealer. The clockspring was also replaced according to a recall without the contact's consent. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, all of the electrical components were flashing on and off intermittently in the passenger compartment. The horn did not operate and there were other electrical issues with the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were less than 59,492. Updated 08/19/09 updated 08/20/09.

The air bag light stays on and the horn and cruise don't work. They replaced the clock spring a few years ago but I wasn't having any problems then but I am now.

Recall # 02v293000: I have a 1989 Dodge Grand Caravan. It is readily evident to me that the clockspring assembly has recently failed. Air bag light is on, horn does not work, cruise control does not work. The local dealer informed me that my van was not covered by the recall (VIN 2b4gp443xwr719595), which is puzzling. If I am in a crash and I or my family is injured due to safety-related failures, I suppose Dodge could have easily prevented the same and diminished their liability by fixing this problem under the recall. I don't believe that I should have to pay money out of my pocket for something that is clearly a manufacturing problem. The dealer said he would file a complaint w/ daimlerchrysler, but a response could take up to 2 weeks. What is my family to do if I am in a safety-related wreck in the meantime?.

Dealership indicated that the air bag clock spring recalled part was on a nation wide back order when consumer called to make an appointment. Consumer informed the dealership that air bag light was on. Dealership replied there was nothing they could do about the problem. Consumer had vehicle inspected by a local mechanic because a noise developed in the steering column. Mechanic determined that clock spring was bad, and vehicle shouldn't be driven until clock spring was replaced. Mechanic contacted a dealership, who sent him the recalled part.

While driving the cruise control would not engage when applied. The driver pressed down on the horn and there was not a sound. Also, air bag light flashed on the dashboard and stayed on. The consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced. Recall#1500521.

Airbag light and abs lights remain lighted. Cruise control and horn non-functioning.

While driving at any speed the air bag light illuminated and stayed on. When the air bag light came on the horn and cruise control would not work. An article appeared in a consumer magazine that documented a defective clock spring.

While driving cruise control light began to illuminate along with the air bag light. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, and they informed consumer that clock spring cracked. The tensioner seized.

We were driving our caravan and had to use the horn. Once I pressed the pad for the horn, the air bag light came on, the horn did not blow and then I determined that the cruise control was not working. Before doing any research I had the repairs completed at the dealer. It was a defective clock spring and the cost to replace it came to $269. 01. I then came to this site and found dozens of other complaints exactly like mine. I would list everyone I found but I'm sure you can look them up faster than I could type the id numbers. I also found a recall campaign id number 02v293000 on your site. I asked the dealer about this and they claim our caravan is not included in that recall. I find this hard to beleave since they admit they are defective in the recall so why isn't ours covered under it?.

At any speed air bag light comes on and stays on. When the air bag light comes on horn and the cruise control will not work. There is an article in a consumer magazine that documents the problems the consumer is having. The problem mentioned is a defective clock spring.

Air bag light came on intermittently. No horn and no cruise control. Took vehicle to dealership, and was told that the clockspring malfunctioned. Clockspring on some of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan was on recall but not on her's. Vehicle was manufactured on March 1998.

Air bag light flickered intermittently and later stayed on permanently. Horn works intermittently. Dealer diagnosed as faulty clock spring same as other daimler Chrysler recalled minivans. This particular model & year was not recalled, but should be as identical problem is well documented. This is a highly dangerous problem and should be recalled. Dealer stated that many similar cars (not recalled and recalled) have same problem. Repair cost approximately $198 at dealer.

My airbag deployed while pulling away from my children's school without any warning. The airbag light never came on and I never received a recall letter. It busted up my steering wheel and dash board. I let my insurance CO. Look at it and an investigator from daimler-Chrysler came out and took pictures of it. There was and is no damage to my vehicle. I was told that I would receive copies of everything, but instead was sent a letter from the manufacturer denying responsibility. The letter stated that my airbag light had been on for a long time. This is not true. I had just had my vehicle state inspected and all of those thing are checked. My car passed inspection. The manufacturer won't return my phone calls and I have never seen any proof to their claim. All that I want and wanted is my airbag fixed. I never claimed that I was hurt or any of my family members that were in the van at the time. Please help.

Consumer states the airbag light illuminated on and off for periods of time. The frequency was increasing. The clockspring was replaced. Please provide more information. Ts.

Took vehicle in for routine maintenance. There had not been any indication of air bag problem. Was called and told that clockspring was defective and needed replacement. Was told this clockspring is in the steering wheel assembly and connects to airbag. Was also told that this is a common failure and that about 10 a week are replaced. I complained that the air bag had never been activated and should be replaced by the manufacturer. Was also told that if airbag light did not come on ,then it could be a computer diagnostic problem. I did not have the part replaced since the airbag light was not on. On the way home,the airbag light came on. I called the maintenance department back and was told it was a problem waiting to happen. Since then the vehicle was driven a few miles with an intermittant air bag light indication. The horn and cruise control appear to work properly.

The air bag light is constantly on and the cruise control occasionally would not work.

Air bag light will intermittently come on and off when consumer is driving. After contacting dealer, dealer noted that air bag might not work. Also, the horn will not work. Contacted dealer.

Ea 01 007/air bag clock spring: air bag light remained on while driving, horn and cruise control were inoperative. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

Airbag light is coming on and off. Currently, airbag light will not go off. Please provide any further information.

My clockspring broke,it makes the airbag light stay on and disables the horn, cruise control and airbags. Dealer wants about $200 to repair, I bought the part from the dealer for $73. 15 and replaced it myself. I have friend with the same problem in her 97 caravan. S.

Airbag light illuminates. Horn and speed control is inoperable. Dealer contacted.

Air bag light on instrument panel stays on during operation of vehicle. Also, horn fails to function, and cruise control is inoperable. Dealership has not examined vehicle to determine cause of this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

Clock spring failure, airbag light on, cruise control inoperable.

During normal operation of vehicle air bag light on instrument panel came on. Dealership examined vehicle and replaced clock spring material in steering column which corrected the problem. In October of 2001, air bag light came back on with additional problems of horn and cruise control failure. Dealership has not examined vehicle for the second incident. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

Airbag light came on/ horn and cruise control had stopped working. Taken vehicle to dealer and had clock spring assembly replaced.

Air bag light will illuminate during normal operation, in addition to horn and cruise control systems failing to operate. Dealership replaced clockspring.

Airbag light stays on all the time. Cruise control doesn't work as long as light is on. Dealer stated there is a common problem, and part is in stock, but no recall issued.

Airbag light came on the instrument panel. At the same time the cruise control would not work and the horn would not work. The dealer advised not a good idea to drive the car due to the fact the air bag could deploy without any type of collision. Also, the horn not working was a hazard. Although we had an extended warranty on the vehicle, the dealer advised the matter was not covered under the extended warranty we had purchased. The cost for repair was $223. 16. This should be considered as a safety item and not as a warranty item. Please help ! tfsinisdwas rdu n.

The problem/complaint is in regards to an article I saw in 'automotive news' publication about a NHTSA probe into dcx miniwan wiring causing airbags to fail. Beginning last fall some time, we began noticing the airbag light to come on. At first it was very intermittent-once every couple weeks or so. Now the problem is more frequent but still happening randomly. Some days the air bag light will stay on almost continuously and other days it doesn't come on at all. But anyway, when I read the article, the description sounded exactly like what we are experiencing. Thank you.

The air bag light illuminated, which caused the horn and cruise control to be inoperative. The dealer stated the clock spring failed. Related recall 02v293000, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.

Airbag light stays illuminated while vehicle is in motion due to bad clock spring. Also, horn assembly and cruise control are inoperable. Dealer has been notified.

Airbag light illuminated/cruise control was not working, and horn won't blow.

After starting the vehicle, an odor and smoke came from the passenger side airbag. The vehicle was shut off and restarted then the air bag light illuminated. Please provide further details.