1988 Dodge Caravan Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Dodge Caravan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Interior & seats2419.8%
- Body & structure2016.5%
- Engine1512.4%
- Steering86.6%
- Electrical75.8%
- Exterior lighting65.0%
- Fuel system65.0%
- Other / unspecified54.1%
- Seat belts54.1%
- Visibility43.3%
- Brakes43.3%
- Suspension43.3%
- Driver assistance32.5%
- Tires & wheels32.5%
- Heating & air conditioning32.5%
- Transmission21.7%
- Powertrain (other)21.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING FAILURE; ALSO REPLACED SEPENTINE BELT/RACK AND PINION STEERING/WATER PUMP. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY AFTER DRIVING 55-60 MPH; REAR HATCH OFTEN FALLS DOWN AND SHIFTING DIFFICULTY WHEN PARKED ON INCLINE. *AK
UPPER BODY ATTACHMENT BRACKET OF THE HATCHBACK LATCH BROKE PRIOR TO/AFTER SERVICE RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 *NM
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.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL
PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.*ET
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.*ET
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. YH
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON TURNING THE IGNITION THERE IS A ELECTRICAL SHORT BLOWING THE FUSE, RESULTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE LOST POWER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PUT OUT PROPER LIGHTING BECAUSE WATER HAS GOTTEN INTO THE AREA. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. OWNER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS AND DRAINED OUT MOST OF THE WATER, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAIN VERY HAZY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*JB
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. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, NORMAL ROAD CONDITION, WHEN THE CABLE WHICH HOLDS SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE LIFTED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
WHILE STOPPED EXPERIENCED SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE; WHEN SPARE TIRE CABLE RUSTED THOUGH, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP ONTO ROADWAY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RELEASE.
POOR LAP SEAT BELT PERFORMANCE. THE TWO ON THE REAR AND THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MIDDLE SEATS LOCKED IN PLACE, THEY WILL NOT RELEASE OR UNLOCK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 82 DEGREES, WITH ALL WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, CARGO DOOR SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK.*JB
POWER WINDOW GEAR FAILS CONTINUALLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SERPENTINE BELT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. ALSO REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING/ STEERING PUMP/WATER PUMP/ MOTOR MOUNTS AND ENGINE VALVES. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE SHAKES AT 60 MPH. IN ADDITION, ABS BRAKES FAILED/REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BELEVE THE (FRONT SWAY BAR ) SHOULD NEVER BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK
PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.*ET
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN PRESSING ON THE FUEL THROTTLE THE TRUCK DOESN'T ACCELERATE SOMETIMES . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES BY ITSELF AFTER HAVING BEEN USED BY DRIVER. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAFETY CONCERN OF CABLES FOR SPARE TIRES.*AK *JB
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. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL
PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.*ET
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. *SD
WHILE IN PARK IDLING, VEHICLE JUMPED INTO GEAR ROLLING DOWN DRIVEWAY HITTING CEMENT TRUCK. PLEASE DESCCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE INNER CV JOINT BUSTED OPEN AND MADE OPERATION OF VEHICLE COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE. THE ENTIRE LEFT FRONT AXLE WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES DURING A 6 MONTH PERIOD IN MAR OF 96/JUN OF 96 AND TWICE IN AUG OF 96. AT SAME TIME OF AXLE REPLACEMENT A MOTOR MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. *AK
TRANSAXLE FAILED TWICE (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 486048). *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .