1988 Dodge Caravan Base MT
All photo credits
- Photo: 1989 Dodge Caravan SE Turbo in Black Cherry Pearl Metallic, Front Left, 07-11-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: DodgeCaravanSE by dave_7, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: '87-'88 Dodge Ram Caravan Rogers Communications by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1989 Dodge Caravan SE Turbo in Black Cherry Pearl Metallic, Rear Left, 07-11-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1984 Dodge Caravan LE (31774971395) by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1988 Dodge Caravan Base MT is a 100-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It is rated at 21 mpg combined.
It makes 100 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).
The Caravan measures 175.0 inches long on a 112.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,069 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Minivan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.5L K I4 |
| Displacement | 2.5 L |
| Horsepower | 100 hp |
| Torque | 135 lb-ft |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 8-valve (2 valves/cylinder) |
| Injection Type | Fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG |
| Combined | 21 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 15 gal |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 175 in |
| Width | 72 in |
| Height | 64 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,069 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38 in |
| Headroom Rear | 38 in |
| Legroom Front | 38 in |
| Legroom Rear | 37 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 61 in |
| Hip Room Front | 52 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 52 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1988 Dodge Caravan Base MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Dodge CARAVAN. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Apr 14, 2008 · 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 WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
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, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign 08E033000
Mar 27, 1995 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
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. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
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.
NHTSA campaign 95I001008
Mar 27, 1995 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
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. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
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.
NHTSA campaign 95I001004
Jul 1, 1988 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA campaign 88V107000
Jan 26, 1988 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA campaign 88V010000
107 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Dodge CARAVAN
Owner Complaints
107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Dodge CARAVAN (5 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 23 |
| Structure | 20 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Equipment | 6 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 DODGE CARAVAN. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.