Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1988 Dodge Caravan Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
4%of 103 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Dodge Caravan, 4% of the 103 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 motor mount had to be replaced also.”

NHTSA complaint #810385, filed 1997-03

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015626%
2014210%
201327%
201233%
201156%
2010148%
200922%
2008114%
2007911%
2006138%
2005132%
200446%
20032211%
20022711%
2001197%
20008618%
19999617%
199810316%
199713319%
199618513%
19959319%
199411117%
199310111%
199211012%
1991579%
19907527%
19894825%
198844%
1987710%
198612%
1985612%
1984317%

Other parts of the 1988 Dodge Caravan

Latches, locks and linkages
23 complaints
Body and structure
20 complaints
Engine cooling
15 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Electrical system
7 complaints
Equipment
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1988 Dodge Caravan

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology