VehicleVerdict

1988 Caterpillar 3116 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1988 Caterpillar 3116 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

Does the 1988 Caterpillar 3116 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

90E024000EngineAugust 1, 1990 · 11,000 units

Defect

INCORRECT TORQUE ON THE GOVERNOR INPUT ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE IT TO LOOSEN AND BACK OUT, INTERFERING WITH THE GOVERNOR HOUSING OPERATION. ALSO THE TORSION SPRING ON THE ACCELERATOR INPUT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND COULD DISLODGE, PREVENTING THE GOVERNOR AND ACCELERATOR FROM PROPERLY CONTROLLING THE ENGINE SPEED.

Consequence

WITHOUT GOVERNOR OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD OVERSPEED THE ENGINE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED.

Remedy

ASSURE PROPER ASSEMBLY AND TORQUE ON 8C8580 BOLT, AND PROPER INSTALLATION OF 7W9526 TORSION SPRING.

1988 Caterpillar 3116 — common questions

Is the 1988 Caterpillar 3116 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1988 Caterpillar 3116 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1988 Caterpillar 3116. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.