Complaints
135
Crashes
5
Fires
6
Injuries
4
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1988 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#121 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
#26 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#36 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 21 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | — | 2 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1988 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
1988 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1988 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1988 Dodge Caravan has 135 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock with 21 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1988 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock (21 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (6 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1988 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1988 Dodge Caravan include 5 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1988 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1988 Dodge Caravan as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1988 Dodge Caravan?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1988 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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