NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Lock
1328.9%
Recliner
613.3%
Engine
613.3%
Gasoline
511.1%
Automatic Transmission
511.1%
Carrier/Rack
48.9%
Hatchback/Liftgate
36.7%
Door
36.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 17Jul 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Dodge Caravan
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA94005Opened 31 Jan 1994Closed 25 Oct 1995STRUCTURE
LIFTGATE LATCHES
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT...
EA91010Opened 10 Dec 1990Closed 31 Dec 1991POWER TRAIN
TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
EA90030Opened 31 May 1990Closed 24 Sep 1990EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS
PE90079Opened 7 May 1990Closed 2 Oct 1990VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS
===
EA90011Opened 23 Feb 1990Closed 28 Feb 1991EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UNDERDASH FIRES
PE90030Opened 9 Jan 1990Closed 31 May 1990EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
PE89170Opened 26 Sep 1989Closed 23 Feb 1990ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
UNDERDASH FIRES
PE88095Opened 22 Aug 1988Closed 15 Feb 1989SEATS
BROKEN DRIVERS SEAT
Recalls on the 1987 Dodge Caravan
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E033000
SUSPENSION
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
95I001004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
95I001008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Beaver Falls, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE: WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STILL RUNNING. WENT TO SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. SOMEONE CAME AND SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #815432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salida, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE W/CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE STALLED; ALL LIGHTS FAILED. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD ,POPPED HOOD; FLAMES SHOT UP & OUT; FIRE STARTED BEHIND BATTERY CABLE. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED TO PUT FLAMES OUT; SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S.
NHTSA complaint #812476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON STARTING, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING, THEN WALKED AWAY A FEW MINUTES, UPON RETURNING OPENED DOOR AND FOUND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL NEAR IGNITION ON DASH AREA, THEN FIRE STARTED TO SPREAD THOUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #808017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FLCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #981267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FLCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #981267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houma, LACrash1 killed
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE ROLLED OVER DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN DEATH. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SKD
NHTSA complaint #485353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 117,500 milesIrvine, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
IN 1997 I PURCHASED TWO KELLY SPRINGFIELD TIRES. ON JUNE 14, 2002 THE TREAD ON ONE OF THEM PEELED OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED IT (WITH SOME ADDITIONAL COST). ON JUNE 23, 2003 THE TREAD ON THE OTHER TIRE PEELED OFF. I REPLACED IT AT A LOCATION SOME 300 MILES FROM HOME BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP THE BAD TIRE. I BELIEVE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A NOTICE OF RECALL ON THESE TIRES, BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE ONE. GOODYEAR NO LONGER SELLS THIS TIRE. ALSO THE MANUFACTURER, GOODYEAR, WAS NOT ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY REFUND BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE BAD TIRE TO SHOW THEM. I DID HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10025313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Campbell, NY
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
TIRE CARRIER RUSTED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF UNDER THE VAN, AND BOUNCE ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT WERE UNWILLING TO REPAIR PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #864313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calumet City, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAVE REPLACED THIS ENGINE TWICE AND NOW I AM ON THE THIRD TIME .I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACE ENGINE IN CARS OR VANS. IT IS MY IMPRESSION THAT THE DODGE COMPANY STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCTS OF EXCELLENT . BUT GUESS I WAS WRONG , I WILL TELL ALL MY FRIEND NOT TO BUY DODGE CARS AND VANS. IF YOU CAN HELP ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW . THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #722739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shrewport, LA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE WIHTOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS AND LOSE CONTROL WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #836665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broomfield, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
IN EXTREME COLD CONDITION VEHICLE SLOWED TO 25 MPH AND WOULD GO NO FASTER. MANUFACTURER SAID THE GAS LINE WAS FREEZING NEAR THE CARBORATOR DUE TO CONDENSATION AND FREEZING, KNOWN PROBLEM AND A FIX IS AVAILABLE. DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR FIX, SAYING IT WAS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE THEREFORE NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. IF THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN EXTREME COLD WHERE A BREAKDOWN OR COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE WOULD OCCUR, PEOPLE COULD FREEZE TO DEATH DUE TO WALKING FOR HELP OR STAYING IN CAR WITH NO SOURCE OF HEAT. ALSO, TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS OR INTERSTATE AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 25 MPH TO GET TO A PLACE FOR HELP (ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST) IS VERY DANGEROUS. PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM LONG AGO.
NHTSA complaint #703218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairbanks, AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK POSITION ON A SLIGHT SLANT LEFT IDLING FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES WHEN IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #833249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED ON HIGHWAY DUE TO POOR STABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #542383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Golden VAL, MN
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #512664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukie, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLS IN WARM WEATHER AND SOMETIMES WILL JUST CUT OFF AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #537851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engleside, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE THROTTLE STUCK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STICKS DURING LONG HOT TRIPS WITH CONSTANT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND REMAINS STUCK UNTIL THE ENGIN COOLS COMPLETELY. DOES NOT STICK ON SHORT DRIVES.
NHTSA complaint #536846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Golden Valley, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNT CAME OFF, ENGINE FELL ON TOP OF LEFT DRIVE SHAFT, CAUSING IT TO BRAKE AND DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #512026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
AT 65MPH VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND REAR TAILGATE OPENED DURING IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #502460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaver Falls, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE: WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STILL RUNNING. WENT TO SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. SOMEONE CAME AND SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #815432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salida, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE W/CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE STALLED; ALL LIGHTS FAILED. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD ,POPPED HOOD; FLAMES SHOT UP & OUT; FIRE STARTED BEHIND BATTERY CABLE. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED TO PUT FLAMES OUT; SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S.
NHTSA complaint #812476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mishicot, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE CIRCUIT FUSE THAT GOES TO THE WIRING OVERCHARGES, CAUSING BATTERY TO OVERCHARGE AND LOSE POWER.
NHTSA complaint #811133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UPON STARTING, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING, THEN WALKED AWAY A FEW MINUTES, UPON RETURNING OPENED DOOR AND FOUND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL NEAR IGNITION ON DASH AREA, THEN FIRE STARTED TO SPREAD THOUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #808017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brdenton, FL
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING: WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MADE A TURN WENT TO TURN STEERING RACK AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME RIGHT OFF, HAVE NOT TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR YET.
NHTSA complaint #808693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brdenton, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING: WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MADE A TURN WENT TO TURN STEERING RACK AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME RIGHT OFF, HAVE NOT TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR YET.
NHTSA complaint #808693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.