VehicleVerdict

1988 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1988 Dodge Caravan is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 135 owner complaints run below the Caravan median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across latches & locks (23), body & structure (20), and engine (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

135

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

8

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Caravan years?

Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted2,178 complaints1984: 26 complaints1985: 85 complaints1986: 55 complaints1987: 83 complaints1988: 135 complaints1989: 236 complaints1990: 341 complaints1991: 773 complaints1992: 1,126 complaints1993: 1,229 complaints1994: 836 complaints1995: 656 complaints1996: 2,178 complaints1997: 1,028 complaints1998: 840 complaints1999: 745 complaints2000: 613 complaints2001: 341 complaints2002: 326 complaints2003: 252 complaints2004: 83 complaints2005: 691 complaints2006: 231 complaints2007: 115 complaints2008: 421 complaints2009: 175 complaints2010: 257 complaints2011: 112 complaints2012: 116 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 4 complaints
Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Latches & Locks2317%
Body & Structure2015%
Engine1813%
Steering107%
Electrical System107%
Fuel System64%
Lighting64%
Other64%
Seat Belts54%
Suspension54%
Speed Control54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Transmission43%
Brakes43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Seats21%

Does the 1988 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

95I001004Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 411,678 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

95I001008Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 1,262,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

88V107000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 1988 · 4,000 units

Defect

FUEL TANKS MAY BE CONSTRUCTED OF IMPROPER MATERIAL.

Consequence

FUEL COULD LEAK AT THE TANK SEAM WHICH, IN PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE SUSPECT FUEL TANKS.

88V010000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 1988 · 375 units

Defect

FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING TANK MANUFACTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE POTENTIAL FORA FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · June 1, 1997

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 29, 2003

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 3, 1996

“REAREND ANGLED VEHICLE, WIRING IN STEERING STARTED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN AFTER REPAIR, NO ACCIDENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 10, 1996 · fire

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 12, 1996 · fire

1988 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1988 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 135 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Caravan year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1988 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are latches & locks (23 complaints), body & structure (20 complaints), engine (18 complaints).

Does the 1988 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caravan years to avoid are 1996, 1993, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1999, 2005, 1995, 2000, 2008. The cleanest record among Caravan years belongs to 2019.

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.