1988 Dodge Caravan latches & locks problems

The 1988 Dodge Caravan has 23 latches & locks complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Latches & Locks complaints

17%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Latches & Locks complaints by year

Caravan latches & locks complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many latches & locks complaints does the 1988 Dodge Caravan have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 1988 Dodge Caravan latches & locks — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1988 Dodge Caravan latches & locks?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the latches & locks: 95I001004, 95I001008.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.