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1988 Dodge Caravan LE

The 1988 Dodge Caravan LE is a 100-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 3-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $13,902 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 100 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (19 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 TypeMinivan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$13,902 ($38,192 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.5L K I4
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower100 hp
Torque135 lb-ft
ValvetrainSOHC, 8-valve (2 valves/cylinder)
Injection TypeFuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic (TorqueFlite A413)
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway22 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity20 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length175 in
Width72 in
Height64 in
Wheelbase112 in
Curb Weight3,069 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38 in
Headroom Rear38 in
Legroom Front38 in
Legroom Rear37 in
Shoulder Room Front58 in
Shoulder Room Rear61 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

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

Most-cited areas
Latches/Locks/Linkages23
Structure20
Engine And Engine Cooling14
Steering8
Electrical System7
Equipment6
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 16, 2004 · Structure
“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…”
Feb 11, 2003 · Tires
“SAFETY CONCERN OF CABLES FOR SPARE TIRES.*AK *JB”
Sep 4, 2002 · Visibility
“CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 82 DEGREES, WITH ALL WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, CARGO DOOR SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK.*JB”
Sep 10, 2001 · Structure
“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…”
Jun 20, 2001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic Crash
“NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK”

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.

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