1988 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
79 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
122,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 79 complaints (24.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 2.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 19 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 19; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 5; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Structure:Body:Door: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 78 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 50 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 50; 1996: 18; 2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 503074 · 1996-04-10 (April 10, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979337 · 1996-02-15 (February 15, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLING/SHUTDOWN WHEN TURNING OR AT 55MPH, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983834 · 1996-04-30 (April 30, 1996)
1) REAR PARK LIGHTS FAILED WHEN USED DUE TO POOR SECURE OF REAR LIFT GATE. 2) THIS WEAKENS TWO LIFT STRUTS/WELDS WHICH RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984532 · 1996-07-15 (July 15, 1996)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801171 · 1996-08-22 (August 22, 1996)
DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE STEERING COLUMN FELL APART COMPLETELY. GIVE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971442 · 1995-08-31 (August 31, 1995)
POWER STEERING TENSIONER FAILED WHILE TURNING. VEHICLE COMPLETELY DISABLED AND NEEDED TOWING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506529 · 1996-07-20 (July 20, 1996)
FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING ABILITY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970363 · 1995-08-14 (August 14, 1995)
WHEN AT A STOP BRAKE PEDAL PUMPS ITSELF DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND BRAKE LIGHT SOMETIMES COMES ON. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725120 · 2000-07-08 (July 8, 2000)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725120 at NHTSA ↗