1987 Dodge Caravan
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Caravan › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Dodge Caravan. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1987 Dodge Caravan. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
69 complaints9 involved a crash6 involved a fire12 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires › Tread/belt
In 1997 I purchased two kelly springfield tires. On june 14, 2002 the tread on one of them peeled off. The dealer replaced it (with some additional cost). On june 23, 2003 the tread on the other tire peeled off. I replaced it at a location some 300 miles from home but was not able to keep the bad…
In 1997 I purchased two kelly springfield tires. On june 14, 2002 the tread on one of them peeled off. The dealer replaced it (with some additional cost). On june 23, 2003 the tread on the other tire peeled off. I replaced it at a location some 300 miles from home but was not able to keep the bad tire. I believe there may have been a notice of recall on these tires, but I did not receive one. Goodyear no longer sells this tire. Also the manufacturer, goodyear, was not able to give me any refund because I did not have the bad tire to show them. I did have the receipt for the replacement tire.*ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Tire carrier rusted, causing spare tire to fall off under the van, and bounce all over the highway. dealership and the manufacturer were contacted about the problem, but were unwilling to repair problem. *Ak *ML
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
I have replaced this engine twice and now I am on the third time .i do not have the money to keep replace engine in cars or vans. It IS my impression that the dodge company stands by their products of excellent . But guess I was wrong , I will tell all my friend not to buy dodge cars and vans. If you can help me please let me know . Thank you
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seatback broke wihtout any warning, causing the consumer to fall backwards and lose control which could have resulted in an accident.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
In extreme cold condition vehicle slowed to 25 mph and would go no faster. manufacturer said the gas line was freezing near the carborator due to condensation and freezing, known problem and a fix IS available. dealer would not pay for fix, saying it was not a saftey issue therefore no recall…
In extreme cold condition vehicle slowed to 25 mph and would go no faster. manufacturer said the gas line was freezing near the carborator due to condensation and freezing, known problem and a fix IS available. dealer would not pay for fix, saying it was not a saftey issue therefore no recall had been issued. if this problem only occurs in extreme cold where a breakdown or complete shutdown of the engine would occur, people could freeze to death due to walking for help or staying in car with no source of heat. also, travel on highways or interstate at a maximum speed of 25 mph to get to a place for help (especially in the west) IS very dangerous. problem should have been a recall item long ago.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle was in park position on a slight slant left idling for about 2 minutes when it jumped out of gear, causing the vehicle to roll back which could have resulted in an accident. *ak
- Suspension
Vehicle not able to be controlled on highway due to poor stability.
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Drive shaft fell out of transmission.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine stalls in warm weather and sometimes will just cut off at any speed.
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle throttle stuck while driving at highway speeds. sticks during long hot trips with constant highway speeds and remains stuck until the engin cools completely. does not stick on short drives.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Motor mount came off, engine fell on top of left drive shaft, causing it to brake and damage to transmission.
- Structure › Body › Tailgate
At 65mph vehicle rolled over and rear tailgate opened during impact.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine: when turning the vehicle off sounds like it IS still running. went to shut off and could not get vehicle to shut off. someone came and shut off, and the vehicle burst into flames. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
While driving vehicle w/cruise control on, vehicle stalled; all lights failed. Got to side of road ,popped hood; flames shot up & out; fire started behind battery cable. Fire dept arrived to put flames out; said it was electrical wiring problem. Vehicle at dealer's. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
Electrical short, the circuit fuse that goes to the wiring overcharges, causing battery to overcharge and lose power. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Upon starting, left engine running, then walked away a few minutes, upon returning opened door and found black smoke coming from behind steering wheel near ignition on dash area, then fire started to spread thoughout engine compartment, vehicle was totalled. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering: was driving down the street and made a turn went to turn steering rack and the steering wheel came right off, have not taken vehicle in for repair yet. *ak
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Liftgate supports fail to support liftgate.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Back far right seat belt will not retract and IS too short, will not fit over the top part of body.*ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Drivers seat back breaks at lower right joint, causing driver to fall backwards.
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
The cable broke and the spare tire fell off.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Shoulder harness failed to retract, causing it to lock in position. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine failed due to broken motor mounts/ axle leaks oil. *Sd
- Structure › Body › Door
Front seat driver's and passenger's manual window (handles) stick could result in entrapment upon emergency exit. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine failed twice. *Dsh
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Liftgate latches
Liftgate latches in the subject vehicles have failed in low and moderate speed impacts resulting in occupant ejections, injuries, and fatalities.there are two failure modes associated with latch failure: fork bolt-detent lever bypass, and inertial unlatching.nhtsa analyses of chrysler and peer minivans took the form…
Liftgate latches in the subject vehicles have failed in low and moderate speed impacts resulting in occupant ejections, injuries, and fatalities.there are two failure modes associated with latch failure: fork bolt-detent lever bypass, and inertial unlatching.nhtsa analyses of chrysler and peer minivans took the form of static and dynamic crash testing, engineering evaluations, complaint and field analyses, and real world data analyses.a technical report discussing these analyses can be found in the engineering analysis technical report in the public viewing file.chrysler has advised nhtsa that it will conduct a campaign to replace the latches on all the subject vehicles.the chrysler campaign will consist of notification letters to all owners; free replacement of all latches with stronger, safer latches regardless of the age of the minivans; national advertising to promote customer awareness of the campaign; quarterly reports regarding campaign completion rates; as well as additional measures to ensure a high completion rate, above and beyond the actions that normally would be taken in a formal safety recall.these include follow up written and telephonic notifications to owners who do not bring their vehicles in for corrective action.nhtsa firmly believes that the crash performance of the latches on these minivans raises serious safety concerns, and that the campaign addresses these concerns.the chrysler corrective action will increase the strength of the liftgate latches and decrease the potential for inertial unlatching, thereby reducing the risk of crash-related openings of the liftgate and possible occupant ejection through the liftgate opening.owners of chrysler minivans will get a stronger, safer latch free of charge at the earliest possible time, without the need for further technical investigation and complex and time-consuming litigation with an uncertain outcome.based on the above, odi IS closing this investigation.
- Trans park system failure
There is no summary currently available
- Spare tire carrier fails
There is no summary currently available
- Rear seat structure fails
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- Underdash fires
There is no summary currently available
- Spare tire carrier failure
There is no summary currently available
- Underdash fires
There is no summary currently available
- Broken drivers seat
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 51978Vehicles with 3.0L engines - intake valve deposits - driveway die out, rough idle, lack of power, sags or hesitation.
Every Dodge Caravan model year
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