AI DamagePlymouth Caravelle: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Plymouth Caravelle across 4 model years: 8 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 13% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 13% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1985–1989
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1985–1988
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1986–1989
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1989
- 2.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1985
- automatic, 3-speed 1985–1989
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving 65 mph, the contact heard a thump and smelled rubber. She pulled over and discovered that the passenger side rear kumho tire was flat and had bubbles on the sidewall. The tire size was 1857r14-88t, which was not available in the drop down menu at the time of the complaint.
When the vehicle was put in drive, it started to accelerate without the gas pedal being pressed. Consumer had to constantly keep the brake pedal depressed. This problem occurred since mid december 2003.
Steering column broke loose and steering dropped down in lap. Turned off car, and caused consumer not to have brakes. The consumer says models of similar make and year had been recalled and this vehicle should be recalled too.
Car would not start. Sounded like fuel was not going through. Consumer replaced fuel system, and problem is reoccurring.
Carburetor keeps failing, causing vehicle to stall, and will not pass emissions. Dealer will provide a rebuilt carburetor. But will only guarantee it for 3 months.
Purchase car used car to dealer about six time with the oil leaking the engine need to replace. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.