MYRModel Year Report

1988 Dodge Caravan

▲ Better than typical
1988 Dodge Caravan
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:34:55.659Z

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
107
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Latches/locks/linkages

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 18 complaints 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1988 107 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 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
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1988 107 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1993 1994: 661 complaints 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2005: 537 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2011 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1986 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1988 107 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1990 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1992 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1998 1999: 555 complaints 2000: 470 complaints 2000 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2010 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2012 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2016 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2018 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020

1988: 107 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198772
1988107
1989194
1990283
1991623
1992923
1993955
1994661
1995489
19961,403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200465
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Latches/locks/linkages

22% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing lock and latch.

DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Rear hatch door not designed with latches that can be opened from the inside, trapping passenger which resulted in death.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-08

Structure

19% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing support device/strut and hatchback/liftgate.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Hydraulic lift collapsed cutting top of owners head. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-06

Van rolled over, front passenger flew out of rear door. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-31

Loss control of vehicle went off highway flip rear hatch gate came open passenger flip out EA94-005 active. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-13

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Steering

10% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing pump and rack and pinion.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tilt steering column bolts disconnected, resulting in loose steering wheel, also resulting in ignition switch failure to engage/turn signal lever failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-01

Equipment

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing carrier/rack and air conditioner.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1988-04-06Fuel system, gasoline88V010000 Fuel tanks may have been damaged during tank manufacture.

    Remedy: Replace fuel tanks as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1988-09-07Fuel system, gasoline88V107000 Fuel tanks may be constructed of improper material.

    Remedy: Replace suspect fuel tanks.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1989-09-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-02-23 Underdash fires
  4. I
    1990-01-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-05-31 Spare tire carrier failure
  5. I
    1990-02-23Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-28 Underdash fires
  6. I
    1990-05-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-02 Rear seat structure fails
  7. I
    1990-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 1990-09-24 Spare tire carrier fails
  8. I
    1990-12-10Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Trans park system failure
  9. I
    1991-03-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-31 Rear wiper switch/fires
  10. I
    1994-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1995-10-25 Liftgate latches
  11. R
    1995-11-03Latches/locks/linkages95I001004 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.…

    Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners during November 1995.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    1996-07-12Latches/locks/linkages95I001008 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Latches/locks/linkages: 24 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V010000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 88V107000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 95I001004 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 95I001008 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Dodge Caravan have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.