1988 Dodge CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10080198 · 2004-08-16 (August 16, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479635 · 1995-05-13 (May 13, 1995)
TRANSAXLE FAILED TWICE (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 486048). *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482485 · 1995-03-20 (March 20, 1995)
SEAT LATCH FAILED, CAUSING SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE DURING ABOVE ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482485 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482987 · 1995-04-24 (April 24, 1995)
REAR HATCH LOCK FAILS TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484239 · 1995-07-19 (July 19, 1995)
CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD CAUSED OIL LEAK. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488326 · 1995-09-22 (September 22, 1995)
WATER LEAKING INTO HEADLIGHTS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488326 at NHTSA ↗
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 504575 · 1996-05-11 (May 11, 1996)
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES BY ITSELF AFTER HAVING BEEN USED BY DRIVER. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504575 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V010000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1988-01-26 (January 26, 1988)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V107000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1988-07-01 (July 1, 1988)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗