125 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Dodge Caravan. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
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
SAFETY CONCERN OF CABLES FOR SPARE TIRES.*AK *JB
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 82 DEGREES, WITH ALL WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, CARGO DOOR SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK.*JB
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
I BELEVE THE (FRONT SWAY BAR ) SHOULD NEVER BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK
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
THE FIRST CAR PAINT WAS RECALLED AND SECOND PAINT JOB WAS DONE WRONG. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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
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.
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
DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. YH
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. YH
FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. YH
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. YH
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. YH
PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.*ET
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM/SENSORS FAILED.*ET
AIR CONDITIONING H BLOCK VALVE AND COMPRESSOR FAILED. *ET
FRONT SUSPENSION WHEEL BEARINGS AND BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING MODERATE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 AND BECOMES SEVERE ABOVE 74 MPH. *ET
HIGH PRESSURE HOSES BEGAN TO LEAK CAUSING RAPID PUMP FAILURE REPAIRED ONCE FAILED AGAIN.*ET
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
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.
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 CAM BOLT SHEARED OFF, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR/LOCKUP OF THE CAMSHAFT.
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
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RELEASE.
POWER WINDOW GEAR FAILS CONTINUALLY.
LEFT ENGINE MOUNT IS SEPERATING FROM BODY STRUCTURE; APPEARS NOT TO BE WELDED TO THE BODY.
WHILE STOPPED EXPERIENCED SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE; WHEN SPARE TIRE CABLE RUSTED THOUGH, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP ONTO ROADWAY. *AK
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.
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
THE HEADLIGHT LENSES OF VEHICLE WERE MADE FROM PLASTIC. AFTER SOMETIME IN THE SUN THE LENSES FADED TO A YELLOW COLOR, NOT ALLOWING ENOUGH LIGHT FOR SAFE VISIBILITY, CONSUMER HAS PURCHASED NEW HOLOGEN BULBS FOR VEHICLE, NEW BULBS DON'T WORK. YELLOW FILM WILL NOT DISAPPEAR. *AK
FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE INNER CV JOINT BUSTED OPEN AND MADE OPERATION OF VEHICLE COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE. THE ENTIRE LEFT FRONT AXLE WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES DURING A 6 MONTH PERIOD IN MAR OF 96/JUN OF 96 AND TWICE IN AUG OF 96. AT SAME TIME OF AXLE REPLACEMENT A MOTOR MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. *AK
HEADLIGHT LENSES MADE OF PLASTIC AFTER DARK, THE LIGHTS DO NOT SHINE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD FOR CONSUMER TO SEE OR DRIVE SAFELY. CONSUMER REPLACED THEM WITH NEW HOLOGEN BULBS, STILL NOT ENOUGH LIGHT TO DRIVE SAFELY. *AK
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. PROBLEM IS BEING FIXED BY A MECHANIC. THE WHOLE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
UPPER BODY ATTACHMENT BRACKET OF THE HATCHBACK LATCH BROKE PRIOR TO/AFTER SERVICE RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
POOR LAP SEAT BELT PERFORMANCE. THE TWO ON THE REAR AND THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MIDDLE SEATS LOCKED IN PLACE, THEY WILL NOT RELEASE OR UNLOCK. *AK
WHEN PRESSING ON THE FUEL THROTTLE THE TRUCK DOESN'T ACCELERATE SOMETIMES . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
DOOR LOCK STICKS NOT ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.
DRIVER'S WINDOWS SHATTERED.
DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE STEERING COLUMN FELL APART COMPLETELY. GIVE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE LOST POWER. *AK
SPARE TIRE CABLE WHICH HOLDS THE TIRE , RUSTED. CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO COME OFF DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
STEEL SUSPENSION CABLE BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL ONTO THE ROAD. *AK
FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING ABILITY. *AK
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
REAREND ANGLED VEHICLE, WIRING IN STEERING STARTED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN AFTER REPAIR, NO ACCIDENT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
HEAD LIGHT HOUSING LEAKS, CAUSING BULBS TO BREAK. *DH
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES BY ITSELF AFTER HAVING BEEN USED BY DRIVER. *DH
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.
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.
THE VEHICLE HAD AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A TILT WHEEL FUNCTION AND WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE POSITION, THE WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND MOVES UP/DOWN FREELY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. *SD
CHRYSLER HAS TAKEN AN EXCESSIVE PERIOD OF TIME TO REPAIR THE REAR LATCH ON VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE STALLS WHEN STOPPING FOR A STOPPING SIGNAL, DEALER REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND THROTTLE BODY. *AK
ENGINE STALLS WHEN STOPPING FOR A STOPPING SIGNAL, DEALER REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND THROTTLE BODY. *AK
ENGINE STALLS WHEN STOPPING FOR A STOPPING SIGNAL, DEALER REPLACED SPEED SENSORS AND THROTTLE BODY. *AK
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM VEHICLE STALLS OUT, DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. TT
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM VEHICLE STALLS OUT, DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. TT
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLING/SHUTDOWN WHEN TURNING OR AT 55MPH, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. TT
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE ENGINE STALLING/SHUTDOWN WHEN TURNING OR AT 55MPH, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. TT
SIDE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF THE HINGES. TT
WHILE IN PARK IDLING, VEHICLE JUMPED INTO GEAR ROLLING DOWN DRIVEWAY HITTING CEMENT TRUCK. PLEASE DESCCRIBE DETAILS. TT
AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE REAR THE DRIVER SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. TT
CHRYSLER HAS TAKEN AN EXCESSIVE PERIOD OF TIME TO CORRECT PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH, CALLED MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD IT COULD BE UNTIL 7/96 FOR PART TO BE READY. *SLC
REAR VIEW MIRROR CONTINUOUSLY FALLS OFF. TT *JB
WATER LEAKING INTO HEADLIGHTS. *SD
POWER STEERING TENSIONER FAILED WHILE TURNING. VEHICLE COMPLETELY DISABLED AND NEEDED TOWING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
WHEN AT A STOP BRAKE PEDAL PUMPS ITSELF DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND BRAKE LIGHT SOMETIMES COMES ON. TT
CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD CAUSED OIL LEAK. *DH
EXCESSIVE USE OF OIL AND IT SMOKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
THE VAN HAS LEAKY VALVE SEALS AND IT SMOKES AS A RESULT. TT
TRANSAXLE FAILED TWICE (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 486048). *SKD
NON FUNCTIOING REAR SEAT BELTS, CANNOT PULL SEAT BELTS OUT OF RETRACTED POSITION. TT
LIFTGATE HAS FAILED, LIFTGATE WILL OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. TT
THE REAR HATCH LATCH DON'T CLOSED RIGHT. TT
REAR HATCH LOCK FAILS TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. *TW
FRONT WHEEL LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING. RESULTING IN BREAKAGE OF LEFT FRONT WHEEL. TT
REAR HATCH/LIFTGATE FELL ON OWNER DUE TO DEFECTIVE SPRING DOOR HINGES. TT
REAR DOOR HINGE DOES NOT HOLD TAILGATE UP, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO PERSON OPENING DOOR. TT
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T SHUT TIGHT WHEN IT IS TIGHTEN IT COME BACK LOOSE. TT
LIGHT KEEP COMING ON, HARD TOO CLOSE, NOW TAIL GATE WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL. TT
REAR LIFTGATE OPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING; HIT BUMP WHILE BACKING UP/ OPENED WHILE DRIVING WET SURFACE, VEHICLE SKIDDED. TT
HYDRAULIC LIFT COLLAPSED CUTTING TOP OF OWNERS HEAD. TT
REAR TAILGATE WILL NOT OPEN WITH KEY OR FORCE, BUT WHILE DRIVING ALONG AND HIT A BUMP GATE COMES OPEN. TT
DUE TO POOR DESIGN MATERIAL USED, THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS COLLAPSED IN COLD WEATHER, ALSO HAS RESULTED IN HEAD INJURY. T
SIDE DOOR RELEASES WHILE DRIVING. TT
SCREW HAS COME LOOSE AND LOST, ALLOWING LATCH TO BECOME LOOSE. REAR HATCH WOULD FAIL TO ENGAGE WHEN SHUT. TT
HINGES THAT HOLD REAR DOOR UP FAILED THREE TIME, REPLACE ROD THREE TIME. TT
REAR HYDRAULIC CYLINDER LIFT STRUTS INOPERATIVE, WON'T STAY UP, WILL DESEND WITHOUT WARNING UNEXPECTEDLY. TT
LIFTGATE HAS POOR SUPPORT DUE TO STRUTS FAILING. DOOR HAS STRUCK OWNER AGAINST HEAD. TT
THE FRONT DRIVE SIDE SEAT BEAT CAME LOOSE FROM THE FLOOR AND THE REAR HATCH LATCH IS HARD TOO CLOSE. TT
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FELL OFF HINGES WHILE DRIVING. TT
VAN ROLLED OVER, FRONT PASSENGER FLEW OUT OF REAR DOOR. TT
WHILE DRIVING NOTICED RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM REAR, INDICATING LIFTGATE WAS LOOSE, FINALLY HAD TO HAVE DEALER REPLACE LATCH MECHANISM AT OWN EXPENSE. TT
THE REAR HATCH LATCH MAKES NOISE/RATTLES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, INDICATING THAT THE LATCH IS NOT HOLDING IT TIGHT. TT
SEATBELTS FAILED DURING ACCIDENT.
DOOR LATCH FAILURE.
SEAT LATCH FAILED, CAUSING SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE DURING ABOVE ACCIDENT.
ENGINE; BURN TOO MUCH OIL CONSUMER HAD ENGINE REBUILT FROM A MECHANIC VAN IS OK. TT
DIFFICULTY LATCHING THE REAR LIFTGATE. TT
WHILE DRIVING REAR HATCH HAS COME OPEN ALLOWING PROPERTY TO FALL OUT. TT
REAR LATCH BOLT CAME LOOSE, CAUSING BACK LATCH TO OPEN. TT
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LIFTGATE LATCH FAILURE, WHEN SUDDENLY LATCH DISENGAGES, ONCE THIS HAPPENS IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO LOCK. TT
IT TAKE ABOUT TEN TIME TO SHUT THE REAR HATCH LATCH AND SOMETIME THE LIGHT COME ON NO ONE HURT. TT
LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE WENT OFF HIGHWAY FLIP REAR HATCH GATE CAME OPEN PASSENGER FLIP OUT EA94-005 ACTIVE. TT
WAS DRIVING THE REAR HATCH LATCH OPEN UP NO ONE HURT. TT
REAR LATCH FAILED, HATCH OPENE AND CONTENTS IN BACK FELL OUT. TT
WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY REAR LATCH DISENGAGED AND HATCHBACK POPPED UP. TT
EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY IN LATCHING LIFTGATE, IT SOMETIMES POPS OPEN, NEVER WHILE DRIVING. TT
REAR HATCH LATCH FAILED, CAUSING LIFTGATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING SENDING ALL CARGO OUT. TT
ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THIS VEHICLE WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE W/DOOR REMAINING SHUT. TT
WHEN OPENING THE REAR HATCH ALL THE SCREWS AND LOCK WOULD FALL OUT. TT
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED 3 TIMES. *AK
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED.
6 ENGINE VALVE GUIDES CAME OUT OF POSITION, CAUSING HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION AND EXCESSIVE SMOKE. *SKD
MAP SENSOR FAILED.
REAR HATCH DOOR NOT DESIGNED WITH LATCHES THAT CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, TRAPPING PASSENGER WHICH RESULTED IN DEATH. *AW
TILT STEERING COLUMN BOLTS DISCONNECTED, RESULTING IN LOOSE STEERING WHEEL, ALSO RESULTING IN IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE TO ENGAGE/TURN SIGNAL LEVER FAILURE. *AK
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