1988 Dodge Caravan
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Caravan › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Dodge Caravan. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1988 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.
Fuel tanks may be constructed of improper material.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel could leak at the tank seam which, in presence ofan ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Replace suspect fuel tanks.
Fuel tanks may have been damaged during tank manufacture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in fuel leakage with the potential fora fire.
Remedy
Replace fuel tanks as necessary.
Owner complaints
103 complaints5 involved a crash6 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Frame and members
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
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
Safety concern of cables for spare tires.*ak *jb
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Car was parked in driveway approximately 82 degrees, with all windows rolled down, cargo door side window shattered without warning.*ak.*jb
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Front doors are separating from hinges. This IS causing doors to be out of alignment. doors will either lock or unlock upon being closed. Owner knew of problem prior to purchasing. Mechanic indicated vehicle not safe to drive.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline
While sitting at a light gas started to pour out of vehicle onto ground. Consumer felt this was dangerous in hot vehicle and could easily start a fire.*ak the rubber cap on gasoline tubing failed, causing rapid fuel flow on ground under vehicle.*jb
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion bar
I beleve the (front sway bar ) should never break under normal driving conditions. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections · Suspension › Front › Control arm · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
Pcv valve fails weekly.*et
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving about 70 mph right rear tire tread in center was completely gone, shattering lens on rear tail light. Seconds prior to incident, consumer heard loud explosion, but tire didn't blowout. p205/70r14 with 20,000 miles, after market. *ak
- Unknown or other
The first car paint was recalled and second paint job was done wrong. No safety defect listed. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
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…
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 their parts system so I had to be creative in blocking the drain pipe. I have retained the old cap if you would desire to inspect it. according to the shop manual that I purchased, all 1988 chrysler cars have a similar drain cap on the fuel tank. the leak from the drain tube was big enough to leave a 10 inch wide puddle of gasoline on my garage floor. my concerns are not only with fire safety, but also with the environmental impact. you may want to forward this concern with your friends in the epa. thank you. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The headlights on my 1988 dodge caravan are becomming opaque. I only see a glow on the road ahead. I understand that this IS a common problem. I was told by a delership parts person the cause IS water condensing on the inside of the headlight's lense, and leaving a calcium deposit when the…
The headlights on my 1988 dodge caravan are becomming opaque. I only see a glow on the road ahead. I understand that this IS a common problem. I was told by a delership parts person the cause IS water condensing on the inside of the headlight's lense, and leaving a calcium deposit when the headlamps are turned on, causing evaporatoration of the moisture. not all cars have this problem. I feel that this problem IS the result of a poorly designed lense unit. Other headlight lense units do not have this problem. this IS a potential safety problem due to poor illumination of the road ahead. I would like to have my head light units replaced by dodge at their cost.
- Unknown or other
The paint on the top and the hood of the van has been deteriorating for a number of years. I have contacted the dealer and the chrysler company a number of times over the years regarding this problem- to no avail. I have aalso noticed a number of other v
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Due to harmonic imbalance of engine, air conditioner and alternator fail
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Suspension › Front
Power steering pump failed. yh
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Consumer has experienced a problem with fuel line. While vehicle was parked in the garage, noticed that fuel was leaking. when the consumer started the vehicle to check the source of the leak, the vehicle caught in flames. the manufacturer has yet to be contacted. *ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
Consumer was driving on the street at approximately 25 mph, normal road condition, when the cable which holds spare tire underneath vehicle broke, causing vehicle to be lifted while driving, which may have caused an accident. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The headlights do not put out proper lighting because water has gotten into the area. The dealer IS aware of the problem. Owner replaced the light bulbs and drained out most of the water, but the headlights remain very hazy, causing poor visibility. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine cam bolt sheared off, causing premature wear/lockup of the camshaft.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Steering › Rack and pinion · Suspension › Front
Serpentine belt failed, causing vehicle to stall. Also replaced rack and pinion steering/ steering pump/water pump/ motor mounts and engine valves. In addition, vehicle shakes at 60 mph. in addition, ABS brakes failed/replaced. *ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Power window gear fails continually.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Drivers side seat belt fails to release.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Left engine mount IS seperating from body structure; appears not to be welded to the body.
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
While stopped experienced spare tire carrier failure; when spare tire cable rusted though, causing spare tire to drop onto roadway. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Upon turning the ignition there IS a electrical short blowing the fuse, resulting in the brake light not illuminating when the brake pedal IS applied.
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.
- Rear wiper switch/fires
There is no summary currently available
- 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
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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