1988 DODGE CARAVAN

5 recalls, 135 complaints - 1 TSBs

SUSPENSION

Defect Description

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... Read more

Consequence

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, POSS... Read more

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.

6,903 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

Defect Description

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.... Read more

Consequence

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.

411,678 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

Defect Description

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. I... Read more

Consequence

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.

1,262,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

FUEL TANKS MAY BE CONSTRUCTED OF IMPROPER MATERIAL.

Consequence

FUEL COULD LEAK AT THE TANK SEAM WHICH, IN PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE SUSPECT FUEL TANKS.

4,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING TANK MANUFACTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE POTENTIAL FORA FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.

375 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

135 total complaints 5 crashes 6 fires 4 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK	21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	6
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE	5
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT	5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	4
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK	4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	4

Incident date: Jun 29, 2003

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 M... Read more

SAFETY CONCERN OF CABLES FOR SPARE TIRES.*AK *JB

Incident date: Sep 3, 2002

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

Incident date: Jun 15, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Crash

Incident date: May 4, 2001

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

Incident date: Feb 16, 2001

I BELEVE THE (FRONT SWAY BAR ) SHOULD NEVER BREAK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK

HIGH PRESSURE HOSES BEGAN TO LEAK CAUSING RAPID PUMP FAILURE REPAIRED ONCE FAILED AGAIN.*ET

PCV VALVE FAILS WEEKLY.*ET

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM/SENSORS FAILED.*ET

FRONT SUSPENSION WHEEL BEARINGS AND BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING MODERATE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 AND BECOMES SEVERE ABOVE 74 MPH. *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

Incident date: Oct 27, 2000

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

Incident date: Jul 1, 2000

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... Read more

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 HEADLA... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 1993

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

Incident date: Jan 1, 1998

DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL

Incident date: Jan 1, 1998

DUE TO HARMONIC IMBALANCE OF ENGINE, AIR CONDITIONER AND ALTERNATOR FAIL

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. YH

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. YH

FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. YH

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. YH

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. YH

Incident date: Dec 23, 1998

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

Fire

Incident date: Oct 21, 1998

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

Incident date: Jan 1, 1998

ENGINE CAM BOLT SHEARED OFF, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR/LOCKUP OF THE CAMSHAFT.

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

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

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

POWER WINDOW GEAR FAILS CONTINUALLY.

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RELEASE.

Incident date: Aug 7, 1997

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

Incident date: Jun 3, 1997

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.

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

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

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

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

Incident date: Mar 3, 1996

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 ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 1996

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

Showing 50 of 135 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 DODGE CARAVAN

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	1

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES - INTAKE VALVE DEPOSITS - DRIVEWAY DIE OUT, ROUGH IDLE, LACK OF POWER, SAGS OR HESITATION. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE CARAVAN

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1997

REAR SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR ... Read more

RQ, Open , Model Year: 1991

REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1989

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION FAILED TO PRODUCE A QUALITY TRANSMISSION IN ITS MODEL YEAR 1989 MINIVANS, WHICH CAN FAIL IMMATURELY

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

AIR BAG CIRCUIT/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR