AI Damage1988 Plymouth Caravelle: common problems
Owners of the 1988 Plymouth Caravelle filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 25% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (25% 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
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 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.
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.
Purchase car used car to dealer about six time with the oil leaking the engine need to replace. Tt
The rear axle weld joint is broke while driving over 3" curb at 5 mph and at an angle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Caravelle has 2 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Plymouth Caravelle?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, steering. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (25%), oil leak or consumption (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1988 Plymouth Caravelle?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1988 Plymouth Caravelle from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1988 models
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.