Owners have filed 135 complaints
about the 1988 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004.
The largest single group is the doors, latches & locks.
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
2136.2%
Gasoline
610.3%
Engine
610.3%
Headlights
610.3%
Hatchback/Liftgate
58.6%
Support Device/Strut
58.6%
Ignition
58.6%
Carrier/Rack
46.9%
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.
Mar 1995peak 19Jun 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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...
PE91062Opened 19 Mar 1991Closed 31 Jul 1991EQUIPMENT
REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRES
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
Recalls on the 1988 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1988146589 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, fuel tanks may have been constructed of incorrect material which would prevent proper welding of the seam joining the upper and lower tank halves. This would result in fuel leakage and in the presence of an ignition source a vehicle fire. Correction: Fuel tanks will be inspected and replaced if required.
Recall 198803910 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the date code on the fuel tank may have been improperly stamped, either causing a puncture or an extremely thin section of metal which could result in fuel leakage. Under some circumstances this could cause an underbody fire which could be hazardous to vehicle occupants. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and fuel tanks replaced where required.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Kresgeville, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #747125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bame Bridge, GAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT IN FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #833065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #507469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poquoson, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL, WITHIN 2 MINUTES FLAMES WERE ABOUT 10 FT TALL; CAUSED BY FAULTY WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #984532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulare, CAFire
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
REAREND ANGLED VEHICLE, WIRING IN STEERING STARTED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN AFTER REPAIR, NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #985971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moline, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #985600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 122,000 milesSeattle, WA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNT BUT A YEAR LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED BUT THIS TIME WHEN THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE IT ALSO DAMAGED THE OIL PAN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10080198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UKN, 00
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SAFETY CONCERN OF CABLES FOR SPARE TIRES.*AK
NHTSA complaint #786261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 82 DEGREES, WITH ALL WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, CARGO DOOR SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK.
NHTSA complaint #8017908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
National City, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
FRONT DOORS ARE SEPARATING FROM HINGES. THIS IS CAUSING DOORS TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DOORS WILL EITHER LOCK OR UNLOCK UPON BEING CLOSED. OWNER KNEW OF PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASING. MECHANIC INDICATED VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #896087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kresgeville, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #747125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT GAS STARTED TO POUR OUT OF VEHICLE ONTO GROUND. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS DANGEROUS IN HOT VEHICLE AND COULD EASILY START A FIRE.*AK THE RUBBER CAP ON GASOLINE TUBING FAILED, CAUSING RAPID FUEL FLOW ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #887587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nesconset, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
I BELEVE THE (FRONT SWAY BAR ) SHOULD NEVER BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #741635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.
NHTSA complaint #782338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
FRONT SUSPENSION WHEEL BEARINGS AND BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING MODERATE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 AND BECOMES SEVERE ABOVE 74 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #782338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
HIGH PRESSURE HOSES BEGAN TO LEAK CAUSING RAPID PUMP FAILURE REPAIRED ONCE FAILED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #782338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM/SENSORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #782338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT SUSPENSION WHEEL BEARINGS AND BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING MODERATE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 AND BECOMES SEVERE ABOVE 74 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #782338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONING H BLOCK VALVE AND COMPRESSOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #782338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD IN CENTER WAS COMPLETELY GONE, SHATTERING LENS ON REAR TAIL LIGHT. SECONDS PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CONSUMER HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION, BUT TIRE DIDN'T BLOWOUT. P205/70R14 WITH 20,000 MILES, AFTER MARKET.
NHTSA complaint #874071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medford, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FIRST CAR PAINT WAS RECALLED AND SECOND PAINT JOB WAS DONE WRONG. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #727442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Collinsville, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE CAP OVER THEN END OF THE 5/16 INCH DIAMETER TUBE FOR DRAINING THE FUEL TANK DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE TUBE WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE RUBBER ON THE CAP WAS CRACKED AND MUSHY. THIS NOT ONLY ALLOWED THE FUEL TO LEAK OUT, BUT ALSO ALLOWED WATER TO RUST THE FUEL LINE THAT WAS UNDER THE DRAIN CAP. OTHER RUBBER COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THEREFORE, I SUSPECT THAT THIS DRAIN CAP IS MANUFACTURED FROM INFERIOR RUBBER. THE DEALER SAID THE MANUFACURER DOES NOT HAVE THIS CAP IN THEIR PARTS SYSTEM SO I HAD TO BE CREATIVE IN BLOCKING THE DRAIN PIPE. I HAVE RETAINED THE OLD CAP IF YOU WOULD DESIRE TO INSPECT IT. ACCORDING TO THE SHOP MANUAL THAT I PURCHASED, ALL 1988 CHRYSLER CARS HAVE A SIMILAR DRAIN CAP ON THE FUEL TANK. THE LEAK FROM THE DRAIN TUBE WAS BIG ENOUGH TO LEAVE A 10 INCH WIDE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. MY CONCERNS ARE NOT ONLY WITH FIRE SAFETY, BUT ALSO WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. YOU MAY WANT TO FORWARD THIS CONCERN WITH YOUR FRIENDS IN THE EPA. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #725120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvine, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1988 DODGE CARAVAN ARE BECOMMING OPAQUE. I ONLY SEE A GLOW ON THE ROAD AHEAD. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY A DELERSHIP PARTS PERSON THE CAUSE IS WATER CONDENSING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT'S LENSE, AND LEAVING A CALCIUM DEPOSIT WHEN THE HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED ON, CAUSING EVAPORATORATION OF THE MOISTURE. NOT ALL CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE RESULT OF A POORLY DESIGNED LENSE UNIT. OTHER HEADLIGHT LENSE UNITS DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO POOR ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AHEAD. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY HEAD LIGHT UNITS REPLACED BY DODGE AT THEIR COST.
NHTSA complaint #722707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Harbor, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PAINT ON THE TOP AND THE HOOD OF THE VAN HAS BEEN DETERIORATING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE CHRYSLER COMPANY A NUMBER OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM- TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE AALSO NOTICED A NUMBER OF OTHER V
NHTSA complaint #713393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL
NHTSA complaint #711879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL
NHTSA complaint #711879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.