MYRModel Year Report

1988 Dodge Caravan

▲ Better than typical
1988 Dodge Caravan
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:04:23.259Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Caravan Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 69 complaints 1988: 103 complaints 1988 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 278 complaints 1991: 617 complaints 1992: 913 complaints 1993: 949 complaints 1994: 644 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1988: 103 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198769
1988103
1989191
1990278
1991617
1992913
1993949
1994644
1995489
19961403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200464
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 20%

20% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 21 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6%

6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 6 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

HYDRAULIC LIFT COLLAPSED CUTTING TOP OF OWNERS HEAD. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950406

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880406 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING TANK MANUFACTURE.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 88V010000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880907 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL TANKS MAY BE CONSTRUCTED OF IMPROPER MATERIAL.

Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT FUEL TANKS.

Campaign 88V107000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890926 — PE (closed 19900223)

UNDERDASH FIRES

I 19900109 — PE (closed 19900531)

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

I 19900223 — EA (closed 19910228)

UNDERDASH FIRES

I 19900507 — PE (closed 19901002)

REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS

I 19900531 — EA (closed 19900924)

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS

I 19901210 — EA (closed 19911231)

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

I 19910319 — PE (closed 19910731)

REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRES

I 19940131 — EA (closed 19951025)

LIFTGATE LATCHES

R 19951103 — latches/locks/linkages

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. CHRYSL

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

Campaign 95I001004 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960712 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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.

Campaign 95I001008 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080522 — suspension

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 WIT

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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V010000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V107000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I001004 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I001008 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2013 ▲ 2016 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1993 ■ 1992

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Dodge Caravan is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Dodge Caravan?

The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Dodge Caravan have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.